1094 Ribaut Road
Beaufort, SC 29902
Tel: 843-524-2888

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Optical Shop

Nancy Santua is our dedicated and personable licensed-dispensing optician with a National Contact Lens certification and more than 37 years of experience.

In addition to a full line of the latest fashions in dress, leisure and sport frames for adults and children, Nancy's expertise will help you choose which glasses will work best for your lifestyle and for your appearance.

We also have reasonably priced and stylish over-the-counter readers. We work closely with the prescribing ophthalmologists to make sure your prescription is made to your best possible correction.

Minor repairs and adjustments on glasses purchased at the Optical Shop or elsewhere are done at no cost to you. No appointment is necessary.

Our prices are competitive and the quality of our frames and lenses is top notch. We offer discounts for most insurances. We accept Medicare assignment for post-cataract glasses.

Optical Shop Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-5:00pm (closed for lunch 12:00-1:00)

 


Eye Exams

Regular eye exams are an invaluable tool in maintaining eye health by detecting and preventing disease. Some diseases, such as glaucoma, develop gradually without causing pain or vision loss, so patients may not notice that anything is wrong until significant and irreversible damage has been done. Early detection of eye diseases can allow for a choice of treatment options and reduced risk of permanent damage.

Who should get an eye exam?

Patients should see their doctor for a comprehensive eye exam every one to three years, depending on their age, risk of disease and overall physical condition. Children should have regular tests to ensure the proper development of their vision and prevent any interference with their academic achievements. Older adults are often at a higher risk for eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts. Even if your eyes are healthy, you should still have a regular eye exam to detect any problems as soon as possible and begin necessary treatment.

What happens during an eye exam?

An eye exam is different from a vision screening, which only tests vision and is commonly performed by a school nurse, pediatrician or other health care provider. Only your eye doctor can perform a comprehensive eye exam to evaluate the overall health of the eye and detect any changes that may indicate a vision disorder. During a routine eye exam, your doctor will evaluate your eyes for refractive errors, as well as common conditions such as:

This is done through a series of eye tests that examine all aspects of the eye, including a visual field test, dilation, glaucoma test, slit-lamp examination, cover test, retinoscopy and refraction. These tests can all be performed in your doctor's office and are safe for all patients.

After completing the comprehensive exam and coming to an accurate diagnosis, your doctor will develop a treatment plan based on the findings of the exam. This treatment plan usually includes a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, medication, vision therapy, eye vitamins, vision supplements or surgery for serious conditions.

If you are interested in learning more about our Eye Care Services, call 843-524-2888 today to schedule an appointment.

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Appointment Procedures:

Appointments with Dr. Richard Akers may be made by calling 843-524-2888. We have no automated phone answering system during normal office hours. Your call always will be answered and handled professionally by our staff.

Appointments to see Nancy Santua, our registered optician, also can be made by calling 843-524-2888.

Our office reserves the right to bill patients for missed appointments, unless the appointment is cancelled at least 24 hours in advance. The missed-appointment charge may vary depending on the severity of the situation. Please try to avoid such a charge by keeping your appointments or by canceling far enough in advance.

Payment Options

Payment will be collected at the time of service. This includes any unmet deductibles and/or copays in addition to services not covered by insurance. Cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted.

We ask all of our patients to make payment at the time of service. Delinquent accounts will be sent to a collection agency and a 45% surcharge will be added to the account.