Pomerance Eye Center PC in Chattanooga: Comprehensive Eye Exams and Frame Selection for Prescription Glasses and Contact Lenses
Pomerance Eye Center PC is a full-service optometry practice in Chattanooga that performs eye exams, fits glasses and contacts, and manages conditions like dry eye and presbyopia. The practice operates as a standalone optometry clinic rather than as part of a larger health system, positioning it as a direct-access choice for patients who prefer scheduling an eye exam without a physician referral.
What Pomerance Eye Center actually is
Pomerance Eye Center is a medical optometry practice, meaning it goes beyond vision correction to diagnose and treat eye disease. The scope includes comprehensive eye exams (refraction for glasses and contacts), fitting and dispensing eyewear, contact lens fittings (standard and specialty lenses), and management of conditions including dry eye syndrome, glaucoma monitoring, and age-related vision changes. The practice does not perform eye surgery; patients requiring procedures are referred to ophthalmologists or surgical centers.
Services and pricing
Comprehensive eye exams typically cost between $150 and $250, depending on the complexity of your eye health history and whether advanced testing (visual fields, optical coherence tomography) is necessary. Contact lens fitting adds $50 to $100 beyond the exam fee and includes follow-up visits to verify fit and prescription accuracy. Frame and lens pricing varies by brand and lens type; single-vision glasses generally range from $200 to $600 after insurance, while progressive (no-line bifocal) lenses add $200 to $400 to the frame cost. Contact lens prices depend on the lens type and brand; monthly soft contacts typically cost $50 to $150 per box. Most major insurance plans are accepted, though coverage for frames and lenses varies significantly by plan. Call ahead to confirm your specific plan's benefits before your visit.
How Pomerance Eye Center compares to other Chattanooga optometrists
Chattanooga optometry is anchored by independent practices and a few corporate chains. Pomerance Eye Center, as a standalone optometry clinic, allows you to build continuity with one optometrist over time. In contrast, LensCrafters (located at Hamilton Place and in the downtown area) combines exams and eyewear retail under one roof with same-day or next-day frame availability, which suits patients who want to leave with glasses the same day. Dr. William Summers' optometry office on Hixson Pike operates independently as well and serves patients seeking a neighborhood-based practice. Large medical systems like Erlanger and CHI Memorial operate optometry clinics within their facilities, which is the better choice if you need your eye exam integrated with primary care or specialist referrals within a hospital network. Pomerance Eye Center suits patients seeking a dedicated optometry experience with the potential to work with the same provider across multiple visits; the corporate chains work better for convenience and same-day eyewear fulfillment.
Who Pomerance Eye Center suits and does not suit
Pomerance Eye Center is the right choice if you need a comprehensive eye exam, want to establish ongoing care with an optometrist, or require specialty contact lens fitting (such as for astigmatism, presbyopia, or keratoconus). It also works well for patients with complex eye health histories who benefit from an optometrist who can monitor conditions over time. The practice is not the best fit if you require same-day eyewear fulfillment, prefer to shop a large frame selection in person before purchasing, or have eye symptoms that need urgent same-day evaluation (such as sudden vision loss or severe eye pain); in those cases, an urgent care center or emergency room is appropriate.
What the first visit involves
Plan for 60 to 90 minutes on your first visit. You will complete a health and vision history questionnaire, then undergo a visual acuity screening and refraction (the process of determining your prescription). The optometrist will perform a slit-lamp examination of the front of your eye, measure eye pressure, assess eye alignment and movement, and perform a dilated retinal exam (pupils are enlarged with drops to allow a clear view of the back of the eye). If a contact lens fitting is needed, additional measurements and trial fittings occur during the same visit or a follow-up appointment. You will receive a prescription for glasses and/or contacts that is valid for one year.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Pomerance Eye Center operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with select hours on Saturday (confirm current Saturday availability by phone). The practice is located in an accessible medical office building with on-site parking. No walk-in appointments are available; scheduling in advance is required. Insurance cards and a photo ID should be brought to your appointment.
Pomerance Eye Center fills a specific role in Chattanooga's eye care landscape: a direct-access optometry clinic where patients can establish care with a single provider over time without requiring a physician referral, making it valuable for routine eye health management and prescription updates.
