Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring with me to my office visit?

• Insurance cards, a photo ID, and any referral forms (if applicable)

• Any forms you need filled out for work, insurance, a driver's license, or for another physician

• Current eye wear

• A current list of medications

• Knowledge of any family health issues (immediate family members: parents, children, siblings)

• Any questions you might have concerning your vision

• You will have some paperwork to fill out if you are new to the practice, and you may need to update your paperwork if you are a current patient. You can find copies of our printable forms here if you want to fill them out in advance and bring them with you to your appointment.

Do we take walk-ins?

Yes, we do take walk-in exams.  In most cases, our ophthalmologist or optometrist will be able to see patients on the same day or as walk-ins for evaluation of injuries and emergencies.

I think I might be having an eye emergency, what do I do?

If you have had an injury or are experiencing acute symptoms that might indicate an urgent issue (sudden loss of vision, pain, extreme light sensitivity, flashes and floaters, etc.), don't try to wait it out.  Some issues that are easily treatable if caught early, can develop into serious (potentially blinding) issues that are difficult to treat if ignored.  Contact us immediately at (269) 781-9822 or (800) 323-3622, or go to the nearest emergency room.  If you try to contact our office after hours, we have a physician on call.  Just choose option #4 through our phone system to reach the doctor on call.  **Please note that our phone systems are turned off for lunch Monday-Friday from 11:00am-1:00pm.  Should you have an issue arise during that time, please call back after 1:00pm or go immediately to the nearest emergency room (if you're not sure you can wait).

How long will my exam take?

If you are coming in for a complete exam or an annual exam, you can expect to be here for about 1 hour.

If you are coming in for a brief follow up appointment or post-op appointment, your exam could be as little as 5 to 10 minutes.

Routine testing generally takes 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the patient and the type of testing.

Occasionally, exams will turn up previously unknown issues that will put the doctors behind schedule, and emergencies will arise that bump regularly scheduled exams.  If this happens on a day you are scheduled to be seen, we appreciate your patience and will do our best to get you seen in a timely manner or rescheduled if you are unable to wait.  Rest-assured that the doctors will see you and spend as much time with you as you need.

Will I be dilated?

Dilation is the process of opening the pupil (through the use of eye drops), in order to view the interior of the eye, and will make most people more sensitive to bright light for approximately 4-6 hours. 

You can expect to be dilated if:

• You are a new patient to the practice

• You are a current patient and haven't had a dilated exam with us within the past 12 months

• You are seeing flashes of light and floaters, or any other visual disturbances

• You are coming in for a cataract evaluation

• You are coming in for anything retina related

• You are coming in for a routine exam for diabetes, macular degeneration, or if you are being seen for glaucoma and are due for photographs.

If your exam includes dilation, make sure to bring a pair of sunglasses with you.  If you do not have sunglasses, we can provide you with a pair of temporary plastic sunglasses when you check out.

Will I need a driver?

Most exams will not require you to bring a driver.  Driving while dilated is a decision you will need to make based on your level of comfort - some patients will have no problems, while others might.  If your exam includes dilation, we recommend bringing a driver with you to your appointment if you aren't comfortable driving while dilated or if you are unsure how the dilation will effect your vision. 

I might need surgery, what do I need to know?

• Where and when are surgeries performed?

Dr. Hathaway currently performs surgery on Mondays and Wednesdays at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, MI, and every other Monday at Brookside Surgery Center in Battle Creek, MI.

• Will I need to take time off work?

Depending on the type of surgery and the type of work you do, you may need to take off anywhere from a few days to a week before returning to your job.  After your evaluation, your doctor will be able to give you a good idea of any time off that may be required.

Are we currently accepting new patients?

Yes, new patients are always welcome!

What insurances do we accept?

What forms of payment do we accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Cash, Checks, and CareCredit (you can find more information or apply for CareCredit here)

What kind of warranty do I get when I buy glasses?

Eyeglass Warranty: Your new eyeglasses are warranted to be free from manufacturer's defects, which includes materials and workmanship, for one year from the date of purchase.  While all of our eyeglass lenses automatically include scratch-resistant coating, scratching is a normal result of use and is not considered a defect (some vision insurance plans offer a one-time replacement for scratches on lenses if a claim is made within one year from the date of purchase - see an optician for details).  If an additional scratch coating was purchased at the time of the original order, our lab will replace the lenses once within one year from the date of purchase if excessive scratches have occurred. 

*The Warranty does not cover lost or stolen glasses.

**Replacement glasses cannot exceed the retail value of the original pair of glasses and the prescription must be valid (prescriptions expire one year from the date of the exam).

***The warranty on broken frames is only valid if all parts of the original frame are returned at the time of receiving the replacement frame.

Prescription Guarantee: In the event your prescription changes within 60 days of your eye exam, we will replace your lenses (with the same style) at no additional cost.  If any upgraded lens options are added to the replacement lenses, you will be responsible for the additional fees.

Refund Policy: Our staff is here to provide you with the best products and services available.  If we are unable to satisfy your eyewear needs, you may return your glasses for a refund for up to 60 days from the order date (exam fees and lab fees are non-refundable).

What fees are charged for copying medical records?

To cover the costs of copying, in accordance with the Medical Records Access Act – Act 47 of 2004, section 333.26269, the following fees apply and must be paid before your records will be released:

Paper Copy: $1.00 per page for the first 20 pages; $0.50 per page for pages 21-50; $0.23 per page for pages 51+; plus postage (will vary)

Digital Copy: We can provide a digital copy of your records in .pdf form on a flash drive for a flat fee of $5.00*

*Please note that records will need to be copied to a flash drive provided by our office… we cannot place these records onto a personal or outside flash drive for security reasons.

Explanation or Summary: If you request an explanation or summary of your chart to be prepared by the physician, you will be charged a fee of $30.00