Eye Exam - Accessible Exam Chairs?

[wheeliegirl]

Hello all! I had been going to my eye doctor for 25 years with no issues because they will move the chair out of the way and the exam equipment was adjustable to make it accessible. I tried once, with a transfer board to transfer to the exam chair and the doctor had to rescue me from a fall. It’s too high and the foot pedestal didn’t move or detach so I couldn’t get close enough.

After all these years, the pandemic caused them to close their accessible Irvine, CA office and only have their awful (for accessibility) downtown Laguna Beach office. The office is in an ancient part of town on a steep cobblestone hill, and the office itself has no ramps to get in/out of the main entrance and the side entrance has no ramps either, but I managed last year with the help from a staff member.

the exam room was too small to move the exam chair out of the way, too old to even adjust the equipment up/down to reach me at eye level. Luckily this doctor has a set of old style lenses that he used when he did overseas charity work. But I needed help getting around the office because it is a converted house with halls and spaces crammed full of display cases of eyewear.

I am contemplating trying someplace like Target or a major chain instead. But my dilemma is this: will they willingly work with me? Are exam rooms, chairs and equipment more accessible nowadays? The worst is calling ahead and asking a doctor’s office if they’re wheelchair accessible, they say “yes”, then you get there, only to find out they have no clue about what is/isn’t accessible.

So are the newer clinics better? Is there anyone in Orange County California who has an eye doctor they’ve worked with that they could recommend? I need to schedule soon, as I’m down to the last pair of contact lens es!
B/R

[SCI-Nurse]

I'm sure you know that your current "eye doctor" (ophthalmologist? optometrist? optician?) is in blatant violation of ADA regulations related to health care facilities and care. I would recommend notifying him/her of this in writing, along with a copy of or URL to these regulations and ask that they remedy the situation. If they don't come up with a timely plan to do so, you can then file a DOJ complaint, and or a state of CA access violation suit. Being a "historic" building does not give them an exemption from this.

Meanwhile I would recommend looking at a UC Irvine clinic, as university clinics are much more likely to have complied with these regulations already.

https://adata.org/factsheet/health-care-and-ada

https://www.ada.gov/file-a-complaint/

(KLD)

[Art454]

My eye doctor does all my eye checks in my wheelchair. All they need is simple equipment.

[Oddity]

There are so many providers around here that I just stopped going to the couple that still have those big medieval contraptions. Most here now do exams from a normal desk height, with equipment right on the desk or swing away mounted to the wall.

(I’m sure that gear isn’t cheap to replace. They may just be able to use the “undue financial burden” escape clause present in most ADA regs.)

[sriv]

wheeliegirl I live in Orange County like you.

You can go to Warby Parker. The chair in their office moves back along a track specifically for people on wheelchair. Their equipment is very new and I felt the experience was definitely worth it.

You can also go to the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute (UCI). They are also well-equipped.

[SCI-Nurse]

Warby Parker is fine if all you need is a refraction test by an optician, but if you need the services of an ophthalmologist (MD) or optometrist, such as retinal exam, plans for treatment of cataracts, etc. you need to go to someplace like the UCI eye clinics. (KLD)

[wheeliegirl]

sriv which location did you go to? I also have to ensure they are in my vision care plan. All I need is a normal annual eye exam, glasses and contacts.

[wheeliegirl]

Thank you all for these recommendations. KLD, as for their current business location, I believe these buildings are grandfathered in, as it’s impossible to install ramps. These buildings are close together, and this office is on a corner. To install ramps would mean they would have to be built into the very busy Main Street street and the side entrances abut right onto the steep cobblestone alley. There just isn’t room. It’s ‘old town Laguna Beach’. No elevators to access upper floors of the many shops and art museums. I’m pretty sure the buildings in this area are from the 20’s or 30’s.

I could go again this year but I just don’t have the energy anymore. The doctor and staff have been wonderful to me all these years. I was really disappointed to see that they gave up a modern office for this place.

[sriv]

wheeliegirl I originally went to the Warby Parker location in Fashion Island (Newport). They have a new one in Irvine Spectrum. Both locations are pretty good. The clinic in the Fashion Island location is run by Dr. Bunthay, she is very good.

Alternatively, the Gavin Herbert Institute run by UCI is also great. It is located in Irvine in the main UCI campus. They have ophthalmologists and optometrists for a comprehensive eye examination. The facility is in my experience well geared for people with physical limitations (although remember to let them know beforehand so they can make sure you are booked in the one of the accessible rooms).

[SCI-Nurse]

Having spent many hours at 2 different eye surgeons, most have it set up that you sit in a regular chair, even when they did CT scans. This chair is easily removable and a wheelchair could be used instead. But that mammoth of a chair in most exam rooms is bolted to the floor in most. When you are dealing with cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and retinal detachments, all possible in the future especially as you get older. I would suggest looking around for those that can and will deliver appropriate interventions with necessary equipment. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency. The people who say I can’t see anything except the outside rim of my eye didn’t get it treated in time. A retinal specialist is needed. So it might be helpful to check out comprehensive facilities in your area. CWO

[sriv]

Yes, if you want to look at an ophthalmologist, who is a medical professional, then Gavin Herbert is great.

They have the type of chairs mentioned here, which can be moved out of the way along a rail.

[wheeliegirl]

Well. Something extraordinary happened earlier this week. I ended up in the ER with a bowel blockage (scar tissue from bladder augmentation 25 years ago!) and appendicitis. The ER lost my glasses! I was discharged yesterday and tried to schedule an appointment but Warby Parker doesn’t accept VSP vision insurance. So in the matter of time I have to go back to my original doctor who can fit me in next week. What a disappointment. UCI was too long of a wait and I have a ton of follow-up appointments to attend and schedule. I can’t wait. The hospital also lost the diamond earrings that were removed on the operating table just before they put me out. ☹️ I will keep the UCI clinic in mind for next year. Thank you all for your wonderful information!

[sriv]

I am so sorry that happened to you!

If you are looking for an ophthalmologist then you need to go to the main UCI clinic. They unfortunately do have long wait times especially this time of year. However, if it is just a simple refraction test you can go to the glasses shop in the UCI clinic. They accept VSP!

Also, Warby Parker does not accept VSP. However, the eye examination there only costs $85, so it is cost-effective as well. When I went last year I also requested for an itemized receipt, which I submitted to my VSP provider (eyemed) and they covered part of the cost through a reimbursement. You can also schedule an appointment online. They have a very simple and easy to use appointment scheduler. If you are still open to considering this please try it! They are super professional.

In any case wishing you the best of luck.