We operate in several small towns in Alaska not serviced by full-time optometrists. We also operate in the bigger town of Ketchikan and the metro area of Anchorage (which includes Palmer, Wasilla and the Mat-Su valley).
Our business model is to have an optical store in each location and to visit the store on a regular basis. We visit between 1-3 days at each visit. So each store does NOT have full-time staffing and is only open certain days of the month, on the dates our team is present in that town.
Our optometrists provide comprehensive eye exams, as well as contact lens fittings. We have a large selection of fashionable eyeglass choices. We are an authorized provider for Medicaid/DenaliCare and display over 200 approved frames! We have one goal: to deliver excellent customer service in every respect while fulfilling the unique eye care needs of each Alaskan. We focus our efforts exclusively in the rural regions of Alaska. To accomplish our mission, we instill in every employee that the customer is the reason for our existence and that the employee must serve the customer honestly, compassionately and with respect.
Only half of people at high risk for vision loss visit an eye doctor every year. Regular eye care can have a life-changing impact on preserving the vision of millions of people.
Many people think their eyesight is just fine without realizing they may need glasses or contact lenses. But about 11 million Americans over age 12 need vision correction. But that's just one reason to get your eyes examined. Regular eye exams are also an important part of finding eye diseases early to protect your vision.
Eye diseases are common and can go unnoticed for a long time. Some eye problems don't have any symptoms in their early stages. A comprehensive dilated eye exam by an eye doctor can find eye diseases in the early stages. This is when treatment to prevent vision loss is most effective.
During the exam, your eyes and vision will be tested. Your eye doctor can see behind your eyes and check for signs of health problems as well. They may even be able to spot other conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Medicaid/DenaliCare covers eye exams and eyeglasses for eligible recipients. Adults and children may get an exam every calendar year, with a free pair of glasses for children every year. Adults age 21 or over get glasses every other year (although we offer discounted glasses in off-years). Medicaid-approved frames are available at all our locations, with over 200 options to choose from.
Visit www.EyeExamAK.com (spelled out as: Eye-Exam-A-K-dot-com).
Email: info@visionAK.com
Texting Number: 907-444-1850
Telephone: 907-444-1850
Fax Number: 907-885-6500
Prices start at $99 for a basic single vision pair of glasses. Adding features or brand name frames adds to the cost. The optician can work within your budget. We have a huge selection of frames.
We take most insurance plans, but we check with your insurance company to verify that coverage and amounts due.
We have seven locations: Ketchikan, Petersburg, Seward, Valdez, and Anchorage are permanent stores. We also visit Skagway and Metlakatla twice a year.
KETCHIKAN: Ketchikan, Alaska is our main office. This location is ONLY open on Saturdays, from noon to 6 pm. The clinic is located at 3137 Tongass Avenue. We are across from PeaceHealth on Tongass Avenue, in the State Farm building.
PETERSBURG: Petersburg, Alaska is open for only 2-3 days a month, typically on Sunday and Monday. Our clinic is located on 22 Sing Lee Alley, across from the Sons of Norway Hall. Upcoming visit dates are: December 1st and December 2nd, 2024. We will also be there on January 5th and 6th 2025, and every 28 days thereafter. Simply add 28 days to January 5th to calculate the next visit date.
SEWARD: Seward, Alaska is open for 1 day a month, typically a Wednesday. Our clinic is located inside the ORCA Building at 201 3rd Avenue.
VALDEZ: Valdez, Alaska is open for 3 days a month, typically Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Our clinic is located at 104 Chenega Avenue, across from The Prospector store.
ANCHORAGE: Our office in Anchorage is located at 3705 Arctic Boulevard. We are located behind The Mail Cache store, simply drive and park in the back. We have the largest selection of Medicaid frames in the state of Alaska.
SKAGWAY: Skagway, Alaska is visited twice a year with the dates typically in April and October. We work out of the Dahl Clinic in Skagway.
METLAKATLA: Metlakatla, Alaska is visited twice a year with the dates typically in February and October. We work out of the Metlakatla Inn with portable eye exam equipment.
The leading causes of blindness and low vision in the United States are primarily age-related eye diseases. Those diseases include age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Other common eye disorders include amblyopia and strabismus.
Refractive errors are the most frequent eye problems in the United States. They include:
Refractive errors can be corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses, or in some cases surgery. The National Eye Institute states that proper refractive correction could improve vision among 150 million Americans.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) results in damaged sharp and central vision. Central vision is needed for seeing objects clearly and for reading and driving. AMD affects the macula, the central part of the retina that allows the eye to see fine details.
There are two forms of AMD—wet and dry:
About 1.8 million Americans aged 40 years and older are affected by AMD. An additional 7.3 million with large drusen are at high risk of developing AMD.
Cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. It's the leading cause of blindness worldwide and the leading cause of vision loss in the United States. Cataracts can occur at any age and can be present at birth. Removing cataracts is a widely available treatment, but barriers such as cost or lack of awareness can prevent treatment.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in American adults. It causes progressive damage to the blood vessels of the retina and usually affects both eyes. Early diagnosis and timely treatment reduce the risk of vision loss.
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye's optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. Early treatment can often protect the eyes against serious vision loss.
Amblyopia, also referred to as "lazy eye," is the most common cause of vision impairment in children. It occurs when the vision in one eye is reduced because the brain does not properly communicate with that eye. Early detection and treatment are crucial.
Strabismus involves an imbalance in the positioning of the two eyes, causing them to look in different directions. This condition often presents in childhood, and early treatment is essential to prevent vision loss.