FAQ
FAQ
Get answers to common questions under the following categories:
Where’s the best place to provide positive feedback?
The greatest compliment you can give our team is a positive Google Review. Your kind words not only mean a great deal to us, but they also help other patients discover the personalized care we provide. If you’ve had a great experience at Helmus Optometry, we’d be truly grateful if you shared it online.
Thank you for helping us care for even more patients in our community!
Where’s the best place to provide constructive feedback?
How much time should I budget for my eye exam?
Please plan on spending about 60 minutes with us. This allows plenty of time for check-in, pre-testing, a comprehensive eye examination with your doctor, and personalized recommendations for your vision and eye health. If you’re selecting new eyewear after your exam, you may want to allow a little extra time to browse our optical collection with one of our opticians.
Do you accept new patients?
Absolutely! We love welcoming new patients to Helmus Optometry. In most cases, we can schedule new patient appointments within 1–5 business days. Whether you need a comprehensive eye exam, contact lens evaluation, or medical eye care, our team looks forward to helping you see your best.
Do you accept “walk-in” patients for eye exams?
Our doctors’ schedules are typically full, so we recommend scheduling an appointment whenever possible. However, if a doctor has an opening, we’re happy to accommodate walk-in patients. If you’re experiencing an urgent eye problem or eye health emergency, please call us right away—we’ll do our best to have you seen as quickly as possible.
I want to browse for frames; do you accept “walk-in” optical patients?
Absolutely! We’d love to help you find your next favorite pair of glasses. Walk-ins are always welcome to browse our ever-changing collection of designer frames and sunglasses.
For the best experience and dedicated one-on-one styling time, we recommend scheduling a Frame Selection appointment with one of our Board Certified Opticians. Whether you’re looking for an everyday pair, computer glasses, sunglasses, or expanding your eyewear wardrobe, we’re here to help you find eyewear you’ll love.
What are your earliest/latest appointment times?
Our earliest eye exam appointment begins at 7:40 AM, and our latest appointment begins at 4:20 PM. Need to stop by after work? Our Optical Department offers extended evening hours and is open until 6:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and until 5:00 PM on Thursdays and Fridays. You’re welcome to visit during those hours to browse frames, pick up glasses, or receive optical adjustments and service.
Where can I find parking?
We have a private parking lot with five spaces, including one accessible (ADA) parking space, located on the corner of 2nd Street and C Street. Just look for the beautiful red jasmine trellis—it marks the entrance to our lot! If our parking lot is full, you’ll find plenty of free street parking nearby. Most surrounding streets offer parking, depending on the block, which is typically more than enough time for your visit.
Do you offer eye exams for babies and children?
Yes! We provide comprehensive eye exams for patients of all ages, beginning at 6 months old. Our doctors use specialized pediatric equipment designed to evaluate the vision and eye health of infants and young children—even before they’re able to recognize letters or describe what they see. Whether it’s your child’s first eye exam, a routine vision check, or an evaluation for a specific concern, our team is committed to making the experience comfortable, fun, and stress-free for both children and parents.
How often should I get a comprehensive eye exam?
For most people, we recommend a comprehensive eye exam once every year. Annual exams help keep your vision clear, ensure your prescription is up to date, and allow your doctor to detect eye diseases and other health conditions early—often before you notice any symptoms. Depending on your age, medical history, eye health, or specific vision needs, your doctor may recommend more frequent visits.
I have an eye problem and want to be seen today, but I’m not available at the time offered. What happens next?
We make every effort to accommodate urgent eye concerns the same day whenever possible. If we offer you a same-day appointment and you’re unable to make that time, we’ll document that the appointment was offered and, if you’d like, add you to our cancellation list in case another opening becomes available.
If you’re unable to be seen in our office and your eye problem cannot safely wait, we recommend seeking prompt medical care through your primary care provider, an urgent care clinic, or an emergency department, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Can you tell me what days of the week a specific employee is working?
To protect the privacy and safety of our team members, we do not share employee work schedules. If you’re hoping to see a particular doctor or staff member, we’re happy to help schedule an appointment or visit when they’re available. Otherwise, you can feel confident knowing that our experienced team is here to provide exceptional care every weekday, with a doctor and manager always on site during office hours.
I want to shop local. Who is the owner of Helmus Optometry?
Helmus Optometry is proudly 100% locally owned and independent. The practice is owned by Dr. Julie Helmus, a second-generation optometrist who lives in Davis with her family and is deeply committed to serving the community she calls home.
Dr. Julie’s parents, Drs. Mark and Joann Helmus, founded the practice and dedicated their careers to caring for patients before retiring in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Today, Dr. Julie is honored to continue their legacy by providing personalized, relationship-centered eye care to generations of local families.
I want to see a specific doctor, but their availability is limited. What do you suggest?
We’re fortunate to have a team of four exceptional optometrists, each dedicated to providing the same high standard of personalized, comprehensive eye care. If your preferred doctor has limited availability, we encourage you to consider scheduling with another member of our doctor team. You can learn more about each of our doctors by visiting the Our Trusted Eye Doctors page.
If you prefer to wait for a specific doctor, we’re happy to schedule the next available appointment that fits your schedule, or place you on our cancellation list.
I don’t have any insurance. How much is an eye exam?
Our comprehensive eye exam is $198 which includes wide-angle retinal imaging with our Optos® camera, which provides your doctor with an exceptional view of your retinal health without the need for routine dilation in many cases. Do you wear contact lenses? If you’d like a prescription for contact lenses, a contact lens evaluation and fitting is required in addition to your comprehensive eye exam. This service includes the specialized testing and evaluation needed to determine the healthiest and most comfortable contact lenses for your eyes and carries a separate fee.
If you have questions about pricing or would like an estimate before your visit, our team is happy to help.
Why do I have to pay $39 for Optos retinal photos? Why isn’t that covered?
The $39 Optos® retinal imaging copay is an out-of-pocket expense for many patients. Some vision and medical insurance plans cover retinal imaging without an additional copay. Some medical plans will only provide coverage if the photos are taken during a separate medical eye visit for a specific eye condition or diagnosis.
At Helmus Optometry, we believe this technology provides tremendous value. Our widefield camera allows your doctor to examine the health of your retina in exceptional detail, helping detect eye diseases and other health conditions at an early stage. A retinal image gives you and your doctor a permanent, visual record of the health of the retina that your doctor will review with you during your exam.
If you have questions about your specific insurance benefits, our team is happy to explain what your plan covers before your visit.
What kind of insurance do you accept?
We accept many of the most common vision and medical insurance plans, including VSP, EyeMed, Spectera, Medicare, and most PPO medical insurance plans. Not sure if we’re in network with your plan? Our team is happy to verify your insurance benefits before your appointment and explain your coverage, including any expected out-of-pocket costs. Visit our Eye Care Insurance Options page for more information, or give us a call and we’ll be glad to help.
I have a question about my recent bill, can you help?
Absolutely! Billing related questions are best answered by a member of our Billing Team. Please email us your question and we’ll get back to you within 1-3 business days! Please include your name, date of birth, and a brief description of your question so we can assist you as quickly as possible.
How can I obtain an itemized receipt?
We’re happy to provide an itemized receipt for your visit. Simply contact our team through our Contact Us page, and we’ll prepare your receipt and send it to you within 2 business days.
If you need the receipt for insurance reimbursement, an HSA/FSA, or your personal records, just let us know, and we’ll make sure it includes the appropriate details.
Do you accept Medicare?
Yes, in most cases we do. Before your appointment, we’ll verify your Medicare eligibility and benefits using your Medicare ID number to confirm your coverage and explain any expected out-of-pocket costs.
If you have questions about what’s covered, our team is happy to help you understand your Medicare benefits before your visit.
Do you accept Partnership or Medi-Cal?
No, we do not participate with Partnership HealthPlan or Medi-Cal. If you have Partnership or Medi-Cal coverage, we recommend contacting your insurance plan directly for the most up-to-date list of participating eye care providers in your area. Their member services team can help you locate a provider who is currently accepting new patients.
If you have questions about your insurance or would like to discuss other payment options, our team is happy to help.
Why does it cost extra for a Contact Lens Exam?
A comprehensive eye exam evaluates your vision and the overall health of your eyes. A contact lens evaluation is a separate service because contact lenses are elective medical devices that require additional testing, measurements, and professional expertise to fit safely and comfortably.
During your contact lens evaluation, your doctor determines the appropriate lens material, design, curvature, and prescription, evaluates how the lenses fit on your eyes, and ensures they provide healthy vision. Trial lenses, follow-up care, and any necessary adjustments may also be part of the fitting process.
Because a contact lens prescription is different from a glasses prescription, you’ll need a current contact lens evaluation if you’d like to purchase contact lenses. In California, contact lens prescriptions are generally valid for one year and must be renewed annually to help ensure your eyes remain healthy while wearing contact lenses.
How and when will be I be notified that my glasses and/or contacts ready for pick-up?
Most contact lenses arrive within about one week. If you order an annual supply, we can often have them shipped directly to your home at no additional charge.
Most glasses are ready in 2–3 weeks, depending on your prescription and lens options.
As soon as your order arrives, we’ll send you a text message to let you know it’s ready for pickup. If your glasses or contact lenses haven’t been picked up within a couple of days, we’ll also follow up with a phone call to make sure you received our notification.
Why does it take 2–3 weeks to receive my new glasses?
Every pair of glasses is custom-made just for you. After you place your order, your selected frame is sent to a specialized optical laboratory, where your lenses are precisely crafted according to your prescription and customized with any lens options you’ve selected, such as anti-reflective coatings, photochromic lenses, or progressives. The lenses are then carefully edged to fit your specific frame.
Once your completed glasses are returned to our office, our opticians perform a thorough quality inspection to verify the prescription, fit, and craftsmanship before notifying you that they’re ready for pickup.
This process typically takes 2–3 weeks, but it’s all part of ensuring you receive eyewear that meets our high standards for quality, comfort, and vision.
My contact lens prescription has expired. Can I still order contact lenses?
Unfortunately, no. Contact lenses are medical devices, and both California law and federal regulations require that you have a current, valid contact lens prescription before contact lenses can be dispensed.
If your prescription has expired, we’d be happy to schedule a comprehensive eye exam and contact lens evaluation to update your prescription and ensure your lenses continue to fit comfortably and safely. Once your prescription has been renewed, you’ll be able to order contact lenses again.
How much is a contact lens fitting?
The cost of a contact lens evaluation varies depending on the complexity of your prescription and the type of contact lenses your doctor recommends. Most contact lens evaluations range from $110 to $350 for standard contact lenses.
Factors that influence the fee include the amount of doctor time required, the complexity of the fitting, specialty lens designs, trial lenses, and any follow-up care needed to ensure your lenses fit comfortably and safely.
If you have vision insurance, your plan may provide a discount or partial coverage toward the contact lens evaluation. Our team is happy to verify your benefits and provide an estimate before your appointment.
I’m new to contact lenses. How long will it take before I can get them?
The first step is scheduling a comprehensive eye exam and contact lens evaluation with one of our doctors. At your appointment, your doctor will determine which contact lenses are best suited for your eyes and lifestyle.
Whenever possible, we’ll provide trial contact lenses for you to begin wearing right away. If you’re new to contacts, we’ll also schedule a personalized training session to teach you how to insert, remove, and care for your lenses.
Once your doctor confirms that the lenses fit well and your vision is excellent, we’ll finalize your prescription. Most patients receive their trial lenses at the exam, and their annual supply of contact lenses arrives within about one week after the prescription is finalized.
How do I know if my contact lenses are considered “medically necessary”?
Whether your contact lenses qualify as medically necessary depends on the specific criteria established by your vision insurance plan. Our opticians can review your benefits and let you know if your prescription may qualify.
In general, medically necessary contact lenses are prescribed for patients with certain eye conditions, such as:
- Very high prescriptions that cannot be adequately corrected with glasses
- A significant difference in prescription between the two eyes
- Certain corneal conditions or irregularities that require specialty contact lenses to achieve functional vision
If your doctor determines that medically necessary contact lenses are appropriate, we’ll help verify your insurance benefits and explain any coverage that may apply.
How long is my glasses prescription or contact lens valid?
Under California law, glasses prescriptions are generally valid for two years, while contact lens prescriptions are valid for one year.
Contact lens prescriptions expire sooner because contact lenses are medical devices that rest directly on the surface of your eyes. Annual contact lens evaluations allow your doctor to ensure your lenses continue to fit properly, provide clear vision, and keep your eyes healthy.
Even if your prescription hasn’t expired, we recommend scheduling a comprehensive eye exam every year to monitor your vision and overall eye health.
What type of contact lenses do you prescribe?
Our doctors prescribe a wide variety of contact lenses and will recommend the option that’s best suited to your vision, eye health, and lifestyle during your contact lens evaluation. We have access to trial lenses from nearly all major manufacturers, allowing us to fit most patients successfully.
We prescribe many types of contact lenses, including:
- Soft spherical lenses
- Toric lenses for astigmatism
- Multifocal lenses for presbyopia
- Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses
- Scleral lenses
- Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses
If you’re new to contact lenses or interested in trying a different type, our doctors will discuss your options and help you find the healthiest and most comfortable fit for your eyes.
What frame brands do you carry?
Check out our Frame Gallery page!
Do you carry frames for little kids and/or toddlers?
Yes! We have a wonderful selection of frames designed specifically for infants, toddlers, and young children. Our pediatric eyewear is available in a variety of fun colors and styles, while also being built to withstand the active lives of little ones.
Many of our children’s frames are lightweight, flexible, and durable, with features such as adjustable temples, comfortable nose bridges, and straps or bands that help keep glasses securely in place during play. Our opticians will help you find a frame that fits your child’s face comfortably and can grow with them as much as possible.
What’s the difference between trial lenses and stock contact lenses?
Trial contact lenses are complimentary sample lenses that allow you and your doctor to evaluate a specific prescription, lens design, or material before your prescription is finalized. We stock thousands of trial lenses in our office and can order trial lenses for almost any contact lens we prescribe.
Stock contact lenses are the lenses you purchase after your contact lens prescription has been finalized. They are ordered specifically for you and require a current, valid contact lens prescription.
Using trial lenses helps ensure your contact lenses provide excellent vision, a healthy fit, and all-day comfort before you invest in your annual supply.
Do you sell blue light blocking lenses/glasses?
Yes! We offer blue light filtering lenses and custom computer glasses designed to help make screen use more comfortable. During your eye exam, your doctor can determine whether computer glasses or blue light filtering lenses are appropriate based on your work, hobbies, and visual needs.
If you have a current, valid glasses prescription, your vision insurance may provide benefits toward a pair of computer glasses, depending on your plan. Our opticians are happy to review your coverage and help you choose the lens options that best fit your lifestyle.
How do your contact lens prices compare to Costco, Walmart, or online retailers?
You might be surprised! Thanks to manufacturer rebates and doctor-exclusive promotions, we’re often able to match—or even beat—the total cost offered by Costco, Walmart, and many online retailers, especially when purchasing an annual supply.
In addition to competitive pricing, you’ll receive the convenience of ordering through your eye care provider, confidence that you’re receiving the exact lenses your doctor prescribed, and personalized service if you ever have questions or need assistance.
If you’d like to compare prices, one of our opticians would be happy to provide a personalized quote based on your prescription.
Do you do LASIK/refractive surgery referrals?
Yes! Our doctors provide consultations and referrals for LASIK and other refractive surgery procedures. The first step is a comprehensive eye exam to determine whether you’re a good candidate. During your visit, your doctor will evaluate your prescription, eye health, corneal shape, tear film, and lifestyle to discuss the vision correction options that may be right for you.
Cataract Surgery
Yes! Our doctors evaluate patients for cataracts and provide referrals to trusted cataract surgeons when surgery is appropriate.
The first step is a comprehensive eye exam, during which your doctor will evaluate the severity of your cataracts, determine how they’re affecting your vision and daily activities, and discuss whether cataract surgery is the right next step.
Do you do LASIK or other surgeries in the office?
No. We do not perform eye surgery in our office. However, our doctors work closely with experienced ophthalmic surgeons throughout the Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area to coordinate your care.
If surgery is recommended, we’ll refer you to a trusted surgeon and continue to partner in your care by providing your pre-operative evaluation and post-operative follow-up whenever appropriate. This co-management approach allows you to receive specialized surgical care while continuing your ongoing eye care with the doctors you know and trust at Helmus Optometry.
How do you check eye pressure?
We offer two safe and effective ways to measure your eye pressure:
- Non-Contact Tonometry (the “air puff” test): this method uses a gentle puff of air to estimate your eye pressure. Nothing touches your eye, and while some patients find the puff a little surprising, the test is quick, painless, and completely safe.
- Goldmann Applanation Tonometry: this test is performed by your doctor. After placing a numbing eye drop, your doctor gently touches the surface of your eye with a specialized instrument to measure eye pressure. Most patients find the test comfortable because the eye is numb.
Do I have to have my eyes dilated?
Not necessarily. Whether your eyes need to be dilated is determined by your doctor based on your age, medical history, eye health, symptoms, and the findings of your examination.
Many patients who choose Optos® ultra-widefield retinal imaging do not need to have their eyes dilated during a routine exam. However, there are situations where dilation is still the best way for your doctor to thoroughly evaluate the health of your eyes. If dilation is recommended, your doctor will explain why and answer any questions you may have.
Our goal is always to perform the most appropriate examination for your individual eye health needs.
