FAQs

Please block out approximately one hour total for your appointment. Most of that is your direct time with the optometrist, with the remainder for check-in and browsing our curated frame collections.

We do not bill vision insurance panels directly. This policy preserves our clinical independence and ensures our doctors can spend three times longer with you than a chain store allows. We will provide you with a fully itemized medical invoice that you can easily submit to your provider for out-of-network reimbursement.

For most adults, we recommend a comprehensive eye health exam once every year. Regular annual exams are critical not just for updating your prescription, but for tracking structural changes in the eye that occur without early symptoms.

A vision screening (the kind done at school or a license renewal) only checks how well you read a chart. A comprehensive eye exam is a full medical evaluation: we measure your exact prescription, then examine the internal structures of the eye for early signs of glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, along with systemic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure that show up in the eye first. A screening tells you that you might need glasses; a comprehensive exam protects your long-term eye health.

Your time with the optometrist covers visual acuity and refraction to pin down your sharpest prescription, binocular vision and eye-movement testing, intraocular pressure measurement (the glaucoma check), and a detailed look at the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye. We finish with a lifestyle conversation, so any lens recommendation fits how you actually use your eyes, whether at a screen, behind the wheel, or outdoors.

Not at every visit. For a healthy adult coming in for a routine exam, we can usually examine the back of the eye with wide-field retinal imaging and skip the drops. We dilate when there is a specific reason to look more closely, such as a strong prescription, a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration, or new symptoms such as floaters or flashes of light. In those cases the drops widen the pupil so we can see the retina and optic nerve fully. That is the most reliable way to catch diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, and macular changes early. If we do dilate, the effect lasts a few hours and makes bright light and close-up focus temporarily harder, so it is worth bringing sunglasses and arranging not to drive right afterward. We will always tell you beforehand so you can plan your day.

An optometrist (OD) examines your eyes, prescribes glasses and contacts, and screens for and manages eye disease. This is who you see for an annual exam, and every Voorthuis location has one on site. An ophthalmologist (MD) is a medical doctor who also performs eye surgery; we refer you to one if your eyes ever need surgical care. An optician fits and crafts your lenses and frames from the prescription. For routine eye exams and eyewear, an optometrist is who you need.

It comes down to readiness more than a birthday. A comprehensive exam works best once your child can follow simple directions and sit through the testing (reading a chart, answering which view looks clearer), which for most children lands around age four or five. That cooperation is what lets us measure an accurate prescription and check eye alignment and focusing rather than estimate. If you have noticed squinting, an eye that drifts, or trouble with close work before then, call any location and we will talk through whether an earlier look makes sense. Once your child is being seen, a yearly exam keeps pace with eyes that are still developing.

A contact lens fitting at Voorthuis takes 45 minutes for a thorough evaluation including corneal measurements, trial lens testing, and care training for new wearers. The follow-up visit one to two weeks later runs about 20 minutes.

Yes. A standard eye exam checks vision and eye health but does not measure the dimensions needed to fit contact lenses. A contact lens exam adds corneal curvature mapping, tear film evaluation, and a trial lens fitting on the eye.

Yes. Toric contact lenses correct astigmatism and come in daily, bi-weekly, and monthly modalities. Modern toric designs work well for mild to moderate astigmatism, and our optometrists fit them during a standard contact lens appointment.

For many wearers, yes. Dailies eliminate cleaning solution, lens cases, and overnight bacterial accumulation. They are the healthiest modality and the most convenient. The annual cost difference between dailies and monthlies is typically $300 to $500, but when taking into account rebates on annual supplies and the cost of solution, the price difference is less.

Yes, there's no issue with wearing reading glasses with contacts. Alternatively, multifocal contact lenses correct distance and near vision in a single lens, replacing reading glasses in some situations. A monovision contact lens fitting can also decrease the dependency on reading glasses while wearing contacts. Multifocal toric options exist if you also have astigmatism.

A well-fitted lens is virtually undetectable after the first few minutes. You should not feel a constant edge sensation, see intermittent blur on blinking, or notice the lens shifting when you look to the side. If any of these occur, the lens needs a base curve or diameter adjustment.

Children as young as 8 to 10 wear contact lenses successfully when they are mature enough to follow care instructions. Daily disposables are often recommended for younger wearers because they remove the cleaning routine entirely.

No. We do not bill vision insurance. That decision lets our optometrists spend 45 minutes on a thorough fitting and recommend from the full lens market rather than an insurance-approved list. We provide itemized invoices for out-of-network reimbursement and accept FSA and HSA.

We fit Acuvue, CooperVision (Biofinity, MyDay, Clariti), Alcon (Dailies Total1, Air Optix), Bausch + Lomb (Ultra, Biotrue ONEday), SynergEyes hybrid lenses, custom RGP designs, and many more. The recommendation is based on your prescription and corneal measurements, drawn from the full lens market.

Annually. Every wearer needs a yearly contact lens exam to renew the prescription, check corneal health, and confirm the current lens is still the right choice. Replacement schedules differ by lens type: dailies are discarded after each use, bi-weekly every 14 days, and monthly every 30 days.

Our optometrists can help you if you are having trouble with insertion and removal (I and R). If you have been fit by us already, please call the office for an appointment for an I and R refresher. If you are new to our practice, please schedule a new patient contact lens exam, and our doctors will work with you to make sure you are comfortable with the insertion and removal process.

Dry eye disease is a chronic condition where the tear film fails to keep the surface of the eye healthy. It usually falls into one of two patterns: evaporative dry eye, where the oily layer of the tear film is deficient (most often from meibomian gland dysfunction), or aqueous-deficient dry eye, where the lacrimal gland produces too few tears. Many patients have both. Identifying the subtype is what makes treatment work.

If artificial tears help briefly but the symptoms keep coming back (burning, grittiness, blurry vision that clears with a blink, redness in the afternoon, contact lens intolerance), that is a sign the underlying cause is not being addressed. A dry eye evaluation at Voorthuis identifies the cause and matches treatment to it.

Dry eye disease is chronic for most adults, but it is very treatable. Once the subtype is identified and the right treatment is in place, we follow up as needed to keep symptoms settled. Long-term management is about maintaining that comfort, not constant flare-ups.

Lid hygiene and warm-compress protocols, preservative-free artificial tears matched to your subtype, omega-3 supplementation where appropriate, prescription anti-inflammatory drops (cyclosporine, lifitegrast, short-course corticosteroids), in-office meibomian gland expression, and specialty contact lens fitting for patients whose dry eye complicates standard wear. When the oil glands need more than warm compresses, we also offer in-office IPL (intense pulsed light) and RF (radiofrequency) treatments to clear them and steady the tear film.

Dry eye is one of the most common reasons people drop out of contact lens wear. Once the underlying cause is treated, most patients return to comfortable wear. The fix can be a material change, a different replacement schedule, a change in solution, or the addition of a lubrication drop and a tailored wearing schedule.

Yes. Antihistamines, antidepressants, isotretinoin, and hormone therapy are common contributors. We review every medication on your list at the first visit and, where appropriate, coordinate with your prescribing physician.

No, Voorthuis does not bill vision insurance for any visit. Prescription drops are billed through your medical (not vision) insurance and can be filled at your usual pharmacy. We provide itemized invoices for the office visit that you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement, and we accept FSA and HSA.

A dry eye evaluation at Voorthuis is priced competitively, and the visit is built around a real diagnosis. IPL, RF, and specialty contact lens fittings are priced separately and discussed before you commit. Call any location for current pricing.

No. Walk-ins are welcome any business hour at any Voorthuis location. Most adjustments and minor repairs are finished while you wait, usually under fifteen minutes. Eye exams and contact lens fittings should be scheduled, but the bench is open whenever the door is open.

Yes. We adjust and repair frames regardless of where they came from, whether online retailers, other practices, or frames you inherited or bought while traveling. A transparent flat service fee applies, quoted before we touch the frame.

Adjustments and most minor repairs on Voorthuis frames are free for the life of the frame, including screw replacement, nose pad swaps, temple-tip changes, and ultrasonic cleaning. For frames purchased elsewhere we quote a flat service fee before we begin. Specialty lab work like soldering or refinishing is priced separately and confirmed in writing.

Yes. Stripped or missing screws are replaced at the counter, where we stock standard, micro, and Lindberg-format threads. Loose hinges are tightened while you wait. Snapped metal hinges and broken solder joints are repaired in-house at our bench with precision soldering. We give you the cost and timing first.

Yes. Silicone, push-in, screw-in, and titanium nose pads are stocked in matching styles. The swap takes about two minutes and is free on Voorthuis frames.

Some frames are beyond repair: structural cracks at the bridge of an acetate, fully broken titanium hinges, or frames whose maker no longer supplies parts. When that happens we say so plainly, return the frame, and help you decide what to do next. We will not invent a fix that will not hold.

Yes. Every frame purchased at Voorthuis comes with free adjustments for as long as you wear it. There is no clock, no membership, and no fine print. Bring it in monthly, yearly, or only when something feels off.

Most walk-in adjustments are finished in under fifteen minutes. A screw replacement is closer to five. Lens replacement and specialty lab repairs take longer and are quoted in writing before any work begins.

Yes, where the frame is structurally sound, including frames purchased elsewhere. We measure the prescription, fit lenses with the right material and coatings, and re-glaze the frame on-site. A detailed itemized quote is provided before you commit.

We don't accept vision insurance panels directly. This independence is what lets our doctors spend three times longer with you than chain stores do. We provide a fully detailed itemized receipt you can submit to your insurer for out-of-network reimbursement.

Foxhall Square has a three-level attached garage managed by Colonial Parking, accessed from New Mexico Avenue NW. Street parking is also available along the surrounding Wesley Heights residential blocks.

Yes. Walk in any time during business hours to browse the frame collection or for complimentary frame adjustments and repairs. For comprehensive eye exams, call ahead at (202) 363-5087 to reserve your dedicated time block.

A comprehensive eye exam usually takes about 45 minutes with your doctor. Plan for about an hour total including check-in and frame browsing.

We don't accept vision insurance panels directly. This independence is what lets our doctors spend three times longer with you than chain stores do. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide a fully detailed itemized receipt you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement.

Metered street parking lines Connecticut Avenue and the surrounding blocks during business hours. The Colonial Parking garage at 1015 18th Street NW and the PMI garage at 1725 Desales Street NW are both a two-minute walk away. Most patients arrive via Farragut North Metro, three blocks south.

Yes. Walk in any time during business hours to browse the frame collection or for complimentary frame adjustments and repairs. For comprehensive eye exams, call ahead at (202) 833-9455 to reserve your dedicated 45-minute time block.

A comprehensive eye exam usually takes about 45 minutes with your doctor. Plan for about an hour total including check-in and frame browsing.

We don't bill vision insurance plans, which is what lets us spend a full 45 minutes with every patient and stock any frame brand we believe in. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide an itemized receipt you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement.

Metered street parking lines King Street and the surrounding side streets. Mornings before 10 AM are the easiest window on weekdays. The Market Square garage at 108 N. Fairfax Street is a one-block walk for covered hourly parking. The free King Street Trolley also stops a block from our door.

Yes. Walk in any time during business hours to browse the frame collection or for complimentary frame adjustments and repairs. For comprehensive eye exams with Dr. Figler, call ahead at (703) 683-3822 to reserve your 45-minute time block.

A comprehensive eye exam usually takes about 45 minutes with your doctor. Plan for about an hour total including check-in and frame browsing.

We don't bill vision insurance at any of our locations, including Wildwood. That choice lets our optometrists spend a full 45 minutes per patient. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide itemized invoices for out-of-network reimbursement.

The Shops at Wildwood offer free surface parking directly in front of our location. There is no garage fee or meter, and you skip the walk through downtown Bethesda traffic. Pull up and walk in.

Yes. Walk in any time during business hours for frame browsing, complimentary adjustments, and minor repairs. For comprehensive eye exams with Dr. Le or Dr. Robinson, call (301) 530-6266 to reserve your 45-minute time block.

A comprehensive eye exam usually takes about 45 minutes with your doctor. Plan for about an hour total including check-in and frame browsing.

We don't bill vision insurance at any of our locations. That decision is what lets our optometrists spend a full 45 minutes per exam. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide itemized invoices for out-of-network reimbursement.

Bradley Shopping Center has free off-street surface parking directly in front of our location, with no garage or meters and easy in-and-out access.

Yes. Walk in any time during business hours for frame browsing, complimentary adjustments, and minor repairs. For comprehensive eye exams with Dr. Le, call (301) 718-9300 to reserve your 45-minute time block.

A comprehensive eye exam usually takes about 45 minutes with your doctor. Plan for about an hour total including check-in and frame browsing.

We don't bill vision insurance plans, which is what lets us spend a full 45 minutes with every patient. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide an itemized invoice you can submit to your insurer for out-of-network reimbursement.

Westfield Montgomery offers free parking in covered garages and surface lots on every side of the mall. No validation required. Park toward Nordstrom or Macy's for the closest entry to our location.

Yes. Walk in any time during mall hours for frame browsing, complimentary adjustments, and minor repairs. For comprehensive eye exams with Dr. Le or Dr. Robinson, call (301) 469-9058 to reserve your 45-minute time block.

A comprehensive eye exam usually takes about 45 minutes with your doctor. Plan for about an hour total including check-in and frame browsing.

We don't bill vision insurance directly. That independence is what lets us spend a full 45 minutes per exam. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide itemized receipts and any documentation your insurer needs for out-of-network reimbursement.

Metered street parking lines Wisconsin Avenue and the surrounding blocks during business hours. The Chevy Chase Pavilion garage is a short walk away for covered hourly parking. Many patients arrive via Friendship Heights Metro on the Red Line.

Yes. Walk in any time during business hours for frame browsing, complimentary adjustments, and minor repairs. For comprehensive eye exams, call (301) 656-2453 to reserve your 45-minute time block.

A comprehensive eye exam usually takes about 45 minutes with your doctor. Plan for about an hour total including check-in and frame browsing.

We don't bill vision insurance at any of our locations. That lets us spend a full 45 minutes on each exam and keep the entire designer frame collection open to you. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide an itemized receipt for out-of-network reimbursement.

Westbard Square has a large free surface lot shared with Giant, Tatte, and the rest of the retail village, with no meters, garage fees, or validation to deal with. Most patients park within a short walk of our front door.

Yes. Walk in any time during business hours for frame browsing, complimentary adjustments, and minor repairs. For comprehensive eye exams with Dr. Udoff, call (301) 652-6490 to reserve your 45-minute time block.

A comprehensive eye exam usually takes about 45 minutes with your doctor. Plan for about an hour total including check-in and frame browsing.

Tom Ford optical frames typically range from $420 to $625, depending on the model and materials. Sunglasses run roughly the same. Prescription lenses are fitted separately based on prescription strength, lens design, and coatings. We provide a complete itemized estimate before you commit.

You are paying for Italian manufacturing by Marcolin (heavier acetate, substantial hinges, and the metal T-bar detail) plus the fitting. We measure, adjust, and verify every frame at the bench, and adjustments stay free for the life of the frame. A frame measured and fitted at the bench, with free adjustments for its life, costs more up front but far less over the years.

Yes. We are an authorized Tom Ford retailer. Every frame ships from Marcolin's authorized US channel and arrives with the original Tom Ford case, cloth, and documentation.

Yes. Every Tom Ford optical frame can be fitted with single-vision, progressive, high-index, or photochromic lenses. Our on-site optometrists can update your prescription the same day at most locations.

Yes. We stock the Tom Ford sun collection across all our locations, including polarized and gradient options. Any Tom Ford sun frame can take prescription lenses if you want a matched set with your optical.

No. We don't bill vision insurance at any of our locations. That choice is what lets our optometrists spend a full 45 minutes per exam. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide itemized invoices for out-of-network reimbursement.

Single-vision lenses typically come back in 5 to 7 business days. Progressives run 7 to 10. We call as soon as the glasses arrive for a final fitting, and adjustments stay free for as long as you wear the frame.

Yes. Walk into any location during business hours and ask to see the Tom Ford collection. Frame browsing never needs an appointment. If you also want an eye exam the same day, call ahead to confirm the optometrist's availability.

Oliver Peoples optical frames typically range from $400 to $650. Sunglasses run roughly the same. Prescription lenses are priced separately based on your prescription and lens choices. We provide a written estimate before you commit.

The acetate is polished by hand over a four-day process, the hardware is understated rather than mass-stamped, and the frames are built to be re-lensed for years. Add our in-person fitting and free lifetime adjustments, and the cost reflects a frame you keep rather than one you replace.

Yes. Voorthuis is an authorized Oliver Peoples retailer. Every frame arrives directly from the brand with the original case and cleaning cloth.

Gregory Peck, Riley, O’Malley, Sheldrake, and the Lemmon titanium series are the most-requested at our bench. Stock rotates across our locations, so tell us the model you want and we will transfer it to your nearest location for a fitting.

Yes. Every Oliver Peoples optical frame can be fitted with single-vision, progressive, high-index, or photochromic lenses. Start with a current prescription and the acetate fronts hold high-index Rxs cleanly, which matters for stronger prescriptions.

Yes. The acetate fronts hold up across multiple lens updates, which is one reason many of our patients keep an Oliver Peoples frame for a decade and refresh just the lenses every few years.

No. We don't bill vision insurance at any of our locations. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide itemized invoices for out-of-network reimbursement.

Single-vision lenses are typically 5 to 7 business days. Progressives 7 to 10. Adjustments stay free for as long as you wear the frame.

Lindberg frames typically range from $700 to $1,400 or more, depending on the line, the materials, and the customization. Air Titanium and Strip Titanium fall in the lower range; bespoke acetate and gold mountings sit higher. We quote in writing before you commit.

Yes. Voorthuis is an authorized Lindberg retailer. Every frame is built to your specifications in Aarhus and ships directly from Denmark with full Lindberg documentation.

Because nothing is off the shelf. Once we measure you at the bench and finalize the build (front, temples, bridge, color), Lindberg manufactures the frame in Denmark and ships it back. Plan on three to five weeks for the frame, then standard lens turnaround on top.

Yes. Rimless and Air Titanium Lindbergs pair especially well with high-index 1.67 or 1.74 lenses, because the thinner the lens, the more the frame disappears. For progressives we steer toward Strip Titanium or Acetanium silhouettes with enough vertical height for a comfortable corridor.

In our experience, yes. With no screws to loosen, no rivets stressing the metal, and no welds to fail, a Lindberg frame still adjusts cleanly after a decade of wear. The hinge, a coiled titanium wire wound into the temple, is the structural conceit.

No. We don't bill vision insurance at any of our locations. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide itemized invoices for out-of-network reimbursement.

Yes. Although the frame is built in Denmark, all adjustments and minor repairs happen at our bench. Free for the life of the frame.

Lunor frames typically range from $500 to $800. Limited-edition reissues and specialty acetates can run higher. Lenses are priced separately based on prescription and coatings.

Lunor is handmade in Germany in small runs, with Mazzucchelli acetate milled and polished over days of bench work and bench-grade German hardware. The brand does not chase volume, so the price reflects craft and scarcity, plus our in-person fitting and free lifetime adjustments.

Yes. Voorthuis is an authorized Lunor retailer. Few opticians in the DC area carry the brand at this depth, and we receive frames directly from Lunor in Germany.

Lunor reissues nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century spectacle silhouettes (panto, Windsor round, club master) with modern bridge geometry and pantoscopic tilt for the contemporary face. The shapes are historically literate without reading as costume.

Yes. The A-series panto and Windsor round shapes have enough vertical height for a comfortable progressive corridor. The adjustable metal nose pads on most Lunor models let us fine-tune the bridge for accurate progressive alignment.

Lunor is designed and manufactured in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, with Mazzucchelli acetate and German-stainless hardware. Small production runs are the standard, so you will rarely see two Lunor wearers in the same frame.

No. We don't bill vision insurance at any of our locations. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide itemized invoices for out-of-network reimbursement.

If the frame is in our floor or back stock, single-vision lenses are typically 5 to 7 business days, progressives 7 to 10. For a specific Lunor model we need to order from Germany, allow an extra week before lens work begins.

Theo frames typically range from $400 to $700. Eye-Witness collaboration pieces and limited runs can sit higher. Lenses are priced separately based on prescription and coatings.

Theo is independent and produces in small runs out of Antwerp. The price reflects sculptural design, saturated color work, and acetate finished in limited quantities. The fitting and free lifetime adjustments at our bench are included.

Yes. We are an authorized Theo retailer. Frames come directly from Theo in Antwerp with full documentation.

Mille is Theo’s long-running flagship: acetate fronts in unusual, often asymmetric shapes, numbered rather than named (Mille 22, Mille 49, and so on). The Eye-Witness collection is Theo’s collaboration series with outside designers like Tim Van Steenbergen and Patrick Hoet.

Yes. The acetate is generously thick, which holds high-index prescriptions cleanly even in the more sculptural shapes. For progressives we steer toward the rectangular Mille models, which give enough vertical corridor for a comfortable read zone.

Yes. Theo has been privately held since 1989. No conglomerate owns the brand, which is part of why the collections feel like a deliberate point of view rather than a focus-grouped product line.

No. We don't bill vision insurance at any of our locations. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide itemized invoices for out-of-network reimbursement.

Single-vision lenses are typically 5 to 7 business days, progressives 7 to 10. For a specific Theo number we need to bring in from Belgium, allow an extra one to two weeks before lens work begins.

Maui Jim sunglasses typically range from $250 to $500. Prescription Maui Jim lenses are priced separately based on your prescription strength, lens design (single vision, progressive, or computer), and any specialty add-ons.

The cost is in the lens. PolarizedPlus2 is a nine-layer lens that polarizes glare, blocks 100% of UV, and lifts color rather than just dimming the view. Fitted to your prescription and adjusted at our bench, it is eyewear that protects your eyes and sharpens what you see.

Yes. Voorthuis is an authorized Maui Jim retailer. Every pair ships from the brand's authorized US channel with the original Maui Jim case, cloth, and PolarizedPlus2 documentation.

PolarizedPlus2 is Maui Jim’s nine-layer lens. It polarizes glare, blocks all UV, and selectively enhances reds, greens, and blues. The visible difference between a Maui Jim lens and a standard polarized lens is striking the first time you put them on.

Yes. We fit Maui Jim with single-vision, progressive, or computer prescriptions using the same PolarizedPlus2 lens. The fitting is measured by hand at the bench, including the corrected curvature for wraparound models.

Neutral Gray is the most balanced and the most popular for general use. HCL Bronze adds warmth and contrast, our top pick for DC summer sun. Maui Rose is the highest-contrast option, ideal for driving. We compare tints side by side during the fitting.

No. We don't bill vision insurance at any of our locations. We accept FSA and HSA, and provide itemized invoices for out-of-network reimbursement.

Maui Jim prescription lenses typically come back in 7 to 14 business days. Non-prescription pairs are usually in stock or available within a few days. We call as soon as they arrive for a fitting.