FAQs

How often should I have a comprehensive eye exam?

Most healthy adults with no known eye conditions should have a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, have a family history of eye disease, or have health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, annual exams are strongly recommended. Children should follow the American Optometric Association’s schedule — at 6 months, age 3, before starting first grade, and then annually or every two years depending on whether they require vision correction. Our team at Saratoga Vision will recommend the right exam frequency for your individual needs during your visit.

What insurances do you accept at Saratoga Vision?

We accept most major vision and medical insurance plans at Saratoga Vision. Coverage varies by plan, and some services may be billed to medical insurance rather than vision insurance depending on the diagnosis. We encourage patients to call us at (518) 587-5900 before their appointment to verify their coverage and understand any estimated out-of-pocket costs. Our team is happy to assist with insurance questions and help you maximize your benefits for exams, eyewear, and contact lenses. More information is available on our insurance and payments page.

Where is Saratoga Vision located and what are your hours?

Saratoga Vision is conveniently located at 235 Washington Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Our office hours are: Monday 8:00 am–5:30 pm, Tuesday 8:00 am–7:00 pm, Wednesday 8:00 am–5:30 pm, Thursday 8:00 am–6:00 pm, Friday 8:00 am–4:00 pm, and Saturday 8:00 am–1:00 pm. We are closed on Sundays. To schedule an appointment, call (518) 587-5900 or book online. We proudly serve patients from Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, Greenfield, Gansevoort, Glens Falls, Queensbury, Wilton, and surrounding communities.

Do you accept new patients?

Yes — Saratoga Vision warmly welcomes new patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. We provide a full range of eye care services for the whole family. If you are new to our practice, we recommend calling ahead at (518) 587-5900 to schedule your appointment and confirm any paperwork or records you should bring. New patient intake forms may be available on our online forms page so you can complete them in advance and minimize your wait time on the day of your visit.

What should I bring to my eye exam appointment?

Please bring your current glasses or contact lenses (including the packaging or brand information if possible), any prescription sunglasses, your vision and/or medical insurance card(s), a photo ID, a list of your current medications, and any previous eye exam records if you are a new patient. If you are coming for a contact lens exam, your optometrist may ask you to avoid wearing your contacts for a period beforehand — our team will advise you of this when you schedule. New patients should also allow a few extra minutes for intake paperwork.

How do I know if my child needs glasses?

Children often do not realize their vision is different from what others see — it is simply the only vision they have ever known. Signs that your child may need glasses include squinting, sitting very close to screens or the board at school, frequent headaches, avoiding reading, rubbing their eyes often, or having difficulty in school. Since children rarely self-report vision problems, regular pediatric eye exams at Saratoga Vision are essential. We recommend the first exam at 6 months of age, again at 3, before starting first grade, and every one to two years after that.

Do you offer same-day appointments for eye emergencies?

Yes. We make every effort to accommodate urgent and emergency eye care needs on the same day. If you are experiencing sudden vision changes, eye pain, a foreign object in your eye, a chemical splash, a suspected eye infection, or any other eye emergency, please call us immediately at (518) 587-5900. Our team will assess your situation and get you in as quickly as possible. For life-threatening emergencies or if our office is closed, please go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Learn more about our emergency eye care services.

What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

An optometrist (Doctor of Optometry, OD) is a primary eye care provider who examines, diagnoses, and treats a wide range of vision and eye health conditions. Optometrists prescribe glasses, contact lenses, and medications, and manage conditions such as glaucoma, dry eye, and diabetic retinopathy. An ophthalmologist (MD or DO) is a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care, including surgical procedures such as cataract surgery and LASIK. At Saratoga Vision, our optometrists provide comprehensive primary eye care and co-manage surgical cases with trusted ophthalmologists when needed.

Can I get my contact lens prescription from my glasses prescription?

No. A contact lens prescription is separate from an eyeglass prescription and includes additional measurements specific to contact lens fitting, such as base curve and diameter. The prescription power may also differ slightly between glasses and contacts due to the difference in lens placement relative to the eye. A dedicated contact lens evaluation is required to provide a safe and accurate contact lens prescription. At Saratoga Vision, we perform comprehensive contact lens fittings and evaluations — call (518) 587-5900 to schedule yours. Learn more on our contact lenses page.

What is dry eye disease, and how do you treat it?

Dry eye disease is a chronic condition in which the eyes do not produce sufficient tears, or produce tears of inadequate quality, to maintain a comfortable and stable tear film. Symptoms include burning, stinging, redness, blurry vision, light sensitivity, and a feeling of grittiness in the eyes. At Saratoga Vision, our dedicated Dry Eye Center offers a full spectrum of treatments including OptiLight IPL therapy, Systane® iLux2® meibomian gland treatment, punctal plugs, prescription eye drops, and warm compress therapy.

What is glaucoma and how is it detected?

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve — often due to elevated intraocular pressure — leading to progressive, irreversible peripheral vision loss. It is frequently called the “silent thief of sight” because it has no symptoms in its early stages. Glaucoma is detected through a series of tests during a comprehensive eye exam including tonometry (pressure measurement), optic nerve evaluation, visual field testing, and retinal imaging. Early detection is critical — while glaucoma cannot be cured, its progression can be effectively slowed with medication, laser treatment, or surgery. Learn more about our glaucoma evaluation services.

Do I need to have my eyes dilated at every exam?

Not necessarily. Dilation provides the most thorough view of the retina, optic nerve, and macula, and is recommended for patients with diabetes, glaucoma risk, macular degeneration concerns, or any retinal symptoms. At Saratoga Vision, we also offer Optomap ultra-widefield retinal imaging, which can often provide an excellent retinal view without requiring dilation in many patients. Your optometrist will determine whether dilation is clinically necessary based on your specific health profile and exam findings. Dilation causes temporary blurry near vision and light sensitivity for two to four hours.

What myopia control options do you offer for children?

At Saratoga Vision, we offer three evidence-based myopia control approaches: MiSight® 1 day contact lenses (the first and only FDA-approved soft contact lens proven to slow myopia progression in children aged 8–12), Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) using Paragon CRT® custom overnight lenses that reshape the cornea while your child sleeps, and low-dose atropine eye drops. These treatments can slow how quickly a child’s nearsightedness worsens, reducing the lifetime risk of high myopia and associated eye diseases. The best option depends on your child’s age, prescription, and lifestyle — schedule a myopia control consultation at (518) 587-5900 to discuss the options.

Is LASIK right for me, and do you offer LASIK services?

At Saratoga Vision, we provide comprehensive LASIK co-management services, including pre-operative candidacy evaluations and all post-operative follow-up care. LASIK is a good option for patients over 18 with a stable prescription for at least 12 months, adequate corneal thickness, and no significant eye health conditions such as keratoconus or severe dry eye. We conduct a thorough pre-LASIK evaluation to determine whether you are a suitable candidate, and we coordinate with trusted refractive surgeons for the procedure itself. If LASIK is not right for you, we will discuss alternative options including Ortho-K, contact lenses, or other refractive procedures.

What designer eyewear brands do you carry?

Our optical boutique at Saratoga Vision carries a carefully curated selection of designer frames and eyewear in a wide range of styles, materials, and price points. Our collection is regularly updated with new brands and styles. We encourage you to visit us in person to browse our current inventory, or call us at (518) 587-5900 to ask about specific brands or frame types. Our optical team is trained to help you find frames that flatter your face shape, complement your lifestyle, and work with your prescription. View our full frames collection and designer frames page for more information.

What should I do if I get something in my eye?

If a loose particle or debris gets in your eye, try gently rinsing with clean water or sterile saline solution. Do not rub your eye. If the object does not flush out easily, or if you suspect it may be embedded in the corneal surface, do not attempt to remove it yourself — contact Saratoga Vision immediately at (518) 587-5900 for an urgent evaluation. If a chemical has splashed into your eye, flush immediately with cool water for 15–20 minutes and then call us or go directly to an emergency room. For any eye injury involving sharp objects, penetrating trauma, or chemical exposure, seek care immediately. Learn more about our emergency eye care services.

My eyes are often red and irritated. What could be causing this?

Chronic red or irritated eyes can have many causes, including dry eye disease, allergic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, contact lens-related inflammation, digital eye strain, or an underlying eye infection. Because the cause significantly affects the appropriate treatment, self-diagnosing or using OTC redness-relief drops long-term is not recommended — many decongestant drops cause rebound redness with prolonged use. The best step is scheduling an evaluation at Saratoga Vision so we can identify the underlying cause and recommend targeted treatment. Call (518) 587-5900 to book your appointment. Learn more on our red eye and infections page.

Do you offer vision therapy services?

Vision therapy is a specialized program of customized exercises and activities designed to improve visual skills, eye coordination, eye teaming, tracking, and visual processing. It can be highly beneficial for children and adults with conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye), convergence insufficiency, strabismus, and learning-related vision problems. At Saratoga Vision, our team provides evaluations to identify whether vision therapy is appropriate and can discuss referral options. Call (518) 587-5900 to speak with our team about your visual needs and whether you may be a candidate for vision therapy.