Optometry
SHS Optometry is open to all registered UC San Diego students by appointment only for your routine and urgent eye care needs. The Optometry Department vision care team is dedicated to providing high quality eye care and products to best fit your lifestyle and visual needs. The optometrists are highly experienced in providing precise glasses and contact lens prescriptions as well as in evaluating, detecting, treating, and managing eye diseases which may include dry eyes and red eyes. The eyewear collection is passionately cultivated by our optical staff to ensure you receive the most stylish and functional glasses to help you look and feel your best.
The Student Health Optometry Department has been in operation since February 1975. Our mission is to facilitate the retention, academic advancement, and graduation of UC San Diego students by maintaining their maximum eye health. View information about our Optometrists.
Make an Appointment
SHS Optometry is open during regular clinic hours, except for extended hours on Monday, and closed on university holidays. Optometry will be closed for lunch from 11:45am to 12:45pm.
Schedule your comprehensive eye exam by logging onto MyStudentChart > Click on visits > Schedule an appointment > Choose Comprehensive Eye Exam
To place an order for glasses/contacts, call the Optometry Department at (858) 534-2602. You may also walk-in during normal business hours to place your order. If you have questions, email us at SHS-Opto@health.ucsd.edu.
Services
- Urgent Medical Office Visit
- Dry Eye Evaluation
- Comprehensive Eye Exam
- Contact Lens Evaluation
- Ordering of contact lenses with a valid prescription
- Ordering of glasses with a valid prescription
How Often Should I Get an Eye Exam?
Our doctors recommend that you get your eyes examined once a year. Comprehensive eye exams can detect not only vision problems, but also certain health conditions.
How Often Does UC SHIP Cover an Eye Exam?
Once a year.
When Do UC SHIP Vision Benefits Expire?
Vision benefits included in UC SHIP expire on July 31st and renew on August 1st every calendar year. Benefits include but aren’t limited to:
- $120 allowance towards frames OR contact lens supply
- $10 for an eye exam
If you haven’t taken advantage of your vision benefits yet, do not let them go to waste! Call SHS Optometry at (858) 534-2602 to schedule an appointment for an eye exam or to order glasses/contacts.
Do You Offer Blue Light Protection?
Yes!
What is Considered Urgent/Emergency Eye Care?
Urgent/emergency eye care is needed for situations that need immediate attention. Situations include:
- Painful red eye
- An injury to the eye
- Flashing lights
- Sudden loss or a reduction in vision
- Sudden onset of double vision
- Chemical(s) in the eye
- Head injury that causes changes in vision
- New onset of floaters
- An increase in floaters
- Foreign material stuck in the eye
- Eye infection
- Dislodged contact lens
If you are experiencing any of the above, contact us immediately at (858) 534-2602 to schedule a medical office visit. With UC SHIP, medical office visits are completely covered ($0 copay).
What if I Have Never Worn Contact Lenses, Can I Get a Prescription for Contact Lenses?
For first time contact lens wearers, a contact lens exam and first-time contact lens training appointment must be scheduled. At your scheduled exam, one of our optometrists will fit you with a contact lens that will best fit your needs and lifestyle. The contact lens training is a one-on-one training where one of our highly skilled team members will teach you how to safely and properly insert and remove contact lenses, as well as educate you on the proper care, handling, and cleaning of contact lenses.