Ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians all provide great eye care. Here’s a look at what each can help you with:

• Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma and can perform surgeries.
  
• Optometrists have doctor of optometry (OD) degrees. They specialize in eye and vision care. Optometrists can prescribe corrective lenses and contacts, diagnose and treat common eye conditions and prescribe medicine.
• Opticians help you choose the right lenses and frames based on your prescription, daily activities and personal style.

To book an appointment, please choose a location and call the clinic for help scheduling an appointment.

Optometrists are the best place to get started for eye care. They provide vision tests, prescribe lenses and diagnose and treat common eye conditions.

After an exam, your optometrist can tell you how often you should have your eyes checked in the future. It's important to follow the schedule your optometrist gives you, especially as you age. Your risk for eye disease and certain eye conditions like the development of cataracts increases as you get older.

Optometrists diagnose and treat common eye conditions. Ophthalmologists help with conditions that don’t respond to a typical treatment plan, treat more complex conditions and perform surgery.

If your eye treatment plan requires a specialist’s help, your optometrist can refer you to one of our experienced ophthalmologists.

For complete vision care, you’ll find everything you need at one of our Optical Stores. We have certified opticians ready to help you find the right frame and lens technology that fits your prescription, personal style and budget.

You can turn to us for specialty options, like progressive and blue light blocking lenses. Choose your frames from a wide range of eyewear lines, from basic to designer brands. We feature the latest trends and styles of premium quality men and women designer frames. We also offer competitive prices on prescription, non-prescription sunglasses, safety, specialty lenses, computer glasses and reading glasses.

When it comes to choosing contact lenses, we offer personalized care, the latest technologies, and broad product options. Product selection includes soft, disposable, and gas permeable materials. We also offer traditional, custom, tinted, multifocal and lenses for all prescriptions.

Our highly trained and certified contact lens technicians or optometrists will help you find the perfect solution for your needs and provide expert specialty fittings, including keratoconus and pediatric contact lens fittings.

To order contacts online, please choose HealthPartners or Park Nicollet to get started:

• HealthPartners patients
• Park Nicollet patients

Optical shops are located in:

• Arden Hills
• Bloomington (HealthPartners)
• Bloomington (Park Nicollet)
• Brooklyn Center
• Burnsville
• Chanhassen
• Golden Valley
• Lakeville
• Maple Grove
• Minneapolis
• Minnetonka
• Shakopee
• St. Louis Park (HealthPartners)
• St. Louis Park (Park Nicollet)
• St. Paul Como
• St. Paul Specialty Center
• Woodbury

We accept most health insurance plans, but it’s always good to call your insurance company before scheduling an appointment to understand which services your insurance plan covers.

Here are tips to help you better understand what may or may not be covered under your insurance plan.

1. Understand your eye care exam.

Your health insurance company will want to know if you are receiving routine eye care or medical eye care. What's the difference?

Routine eye care –Routine eye care includes treatment for nearsightedness, farsightedness and normal astigmatism. Most health insurance plans will cover some part of routine eye exams. Your bill will depend on how much your health insurance plan covers.

Medical eye care – During your routine eye exam, your doctor may find a medical eye condition that needs treatment. Medical eye care is for more complex eye conditions like:

• Cataracts
• Diabetic eye disease (retinopathy)
• Dry eyes
• Glaucoma
• Hypertensive eye disease
• Retinal holes or tears

Medical eye care can include follow-up care, regular monitoring, additional tests, referral to a surgeon and other services. Most health insurance plans will cover some medical eye care and your bill will depend on how much your individual health insurance plan covers.

2. Do you have a separate vision insurance plan?

Vision insurance is a benefit offered by some employers. We do not accept these plans:

• Davis
• EyeMed
• Spectera
• VSP

3. Before you arrive at your appointment.

Before your appointment, please be prepared to have your insurance card(s) and ID with you. You'll also want to know your insurance plan’s specific rules regarding:

• Approved providers
• Authorizations
• Covered services
• Out-of-pocket payments
• Referrals

With some insurance plans, you may need to pay a copay at the time of your eye exam.