UW Health OpticalThe ideal solution for your complete eye care needs

UW Health Optical can turn your vision prescription into the perfect eyewear fit for you. All of our optical shop locations are open and seeing patients by appointment, with same-day appointments and curbside pickup available.

Services

Order contacts online and more services

UW Health Optical offers a wide selection of frames and lenses conveniently located at our three Madison-area eye clinics.

Working together with your optometrist or ophthalmologist, our opticians specialize in the fitting and adjustment of prescription eyeglasses and other visual aids. Our goal is to make your eye care journey as easy and enjoyable as we can. Please talk to one of our opticians about any questions you have.

Contact lenses

Order here

We make it easy to order your contact lenses and have them delivered direct to your door. Free shipping on all annual supplies of contacts or on orders over $100. You do not need to be a current UW Health patient; just enter your prescription or call your nearest optical shop.

Choose a location near you to begin:

Specialty lenses, glasses and devices

We now offer MiSight, kid-friendly daily disposable soft contact lenses from CooperVision.

Kids lead active, jam-packed lives. But whether they’re playing pretend, riding bikes with their friends or learning new things at school, myopia (nearsightedness) can make it harder for them to engage in the activities they love. And as they grow, their prescription might get stronger, too.

MiSight one-day contact lenses not only correct nearsightedness, they’re also the first soft contact lenses proven to slow the progression of myopia in children aged 8-12 at initiation of treatment.

Talk with your UW Health optician to see if MiSight contacts are right for your child.

Scleral lenses are custom-made contact lenses designed to fit your specific eyes. They are for patients with the following conditions:

Corneal irregularities

  • Keratoconus

  • Pellucid marginal degeneration

  • Salzmann’s nodular degeneration

  • Corneal dystrophies

  • Post-corneal transplant/surgery

  • Post-LASIK, post-PRK

  • Traumatic scarring

Ocular surface diseases

  • Severe dry eye syndrome

  • Sjogren’s syndrome

  • Systemic autoimmune disorders

  • Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD)

  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome

  • Epidermal ocular disorders

  • Neurotrophic keratitis

  • Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid

Sharp vision correction for patients with normal corneas

  • High astigmatism

  • Multifocal for presbyopia

We are a certified EyePrint practitioner. EyePrint uses impressions and scan of the surface of your eyes to create a virtual 3D model. They can then design specialized lenses that match the exact shape of your eyes. This results in greater stability of the lenses and improved comfort.

Orthokeratology, or ortho-k, is the use of specially designed and fitted contact lenses to temporarily reshape the cornea to improve vision. It’s like orthodontics for your eyes and the treatment is often compared to dental braces. Most ortho-k lenses are worn at night to reshape the front surface of the eye while you sleep. Vision improvements are reversible, but can be maintained if you keep wearing the lenses as directed.

Adventure In Colors custom colored prosthetic soft lenses from Golden, Colo., provides a variety of hand-painted tinting for soft contact lenses. We work with Adventures in Colors for the following services:

  • Hand-painted iris colors and designs

  • Special colored lenses

  • Standard enhancement tints

  • Special prosthetic tints

  • ZELTZER X-CHROM soft contact lenses

  • Special effect and theatrical lenses

  • Sunglass-colored lenses

These help patients with unique vision needs, including:

  • Amblyopia

  • Albinism

  • Aniridia

  • Diplopia

  • Double vision

  • Light sensitivity

  • Photophobia

  • Pupil irregularities

  • Scarred cornea

  • Other anomalies

SynergEyes iD, Duette and UltraHealth contact lenses combine the stability of a rigid lens with the comfort of a soft lens into one personalized contact lens solution. Single, multifocal and progressive vision options are available.

SynergEyes provides a broad portfolio of technologically advanced lenses. These contact lenses transform vision for patients with astigmatism, presbyopia and irregular cornea conditions.

Low vision is a condition in which vision cannot be corrected by glasses, contacts, surgery or medicine. People who have low vision are said to be visually impaired or have irreversible vision loss and their vision impairment is usually caused by an underlying eye disease or congenital disorder.

A variety of diseases and disorders that affect the eye (many age-related) can cause an individual to become visually impaired:

  • Macular degeneration

  • Diabetic retinopathy

  • Glaucoma

  • Cataracts

  • Retinitis pigmentosa

  • Stargardt disease

  • Other conditions

We carry devices for low vision patients including:

  • Hand-held, stand and pocket lighted magnifiers

  • Telescope and microscope glasses

  • Absorptive filters (prescription and non-prescription)

  • Portable and desktop video magnifiers

  • Task lighting

  • Other optical aids

Glasses and contact lens recycling

Donate your used glasses

Although we recommend keeping a recent pair of glasses as a good backup option, all three of our optical locations take donations of used glasses.

The glasses that are donated are put to good use. We use many of the glasses donated on mission trips to other countries to help individuals who need glasses without the means to obtain them.

We also work with a local organization who provide corrective lenses to millions in low- and middle-income countries that lack access to basis eye care.

Recycle your used contacts

All three UW Health Optical locations are proud to be part of a contact lens recycling program.

Normal water purification processes are not eliminating contacts particles from the water so they are ending up in our foods and polluting our rivers and lakes.

To fight back for our environment, UW Health Optical locations collect and recycle used contacts and the blister packs they come in.

Learn more about contact lens recycling

Virtual frame gallery

Try on frames from your camera-enabled device

A pair of glasses
Not sure what you want? Take a look at our virtual frame gallery to see frame options we offer.
Browse our frames

Locations

Three locations for your convenience

All UW Health Optical locations are open and seeing patients by appointment, with same-day appointments and curbside pickup available.

    Meet our team

    Helping you achieve the best possible vision with your eyewear

    At UW Health, your eye health care team isn’t limited to your Optometrist or Ophthalmologist. Our board-certified opticians work with your doctors to ensure you achieve the best possible vision with your new eyewear.

    The optician's role in your care

    A certified optician is an eyecare expert that specializes in the fitting, adjusting, and dispensing of prescription eyeglasses and other visual aids. The certified optician also specializes in training new patients in the wearing of contact lenses.

    Working as a team with the optometrist and ophthalmologist, the certified optician will analyze your prescription and educate you on the best lens options that affect the way you see. They look at the size and shape of the lens, pupil and focal measurements, fitting heights for both single vision and multifocal lenses, lens materials, and more; while making sure that the frames look the best and makes you feel good about your purchase.

    You likely wear glasses or contacts every day. Don’t leave such an important part of your eye health and personal style to a sales associate or online checklist. The experts at UW Health Optical will help you live your best life by ensuring you don’t miss any of the details, in style!

    Resources

    Frequently asked questions

    UW Health Optical has the expertise and experience necessary to help find the right lenses for your needs.

    Eye health

    It is recommended that you have your eyes checked each year.

    Glasses should be updated each time your prescription changes. Contacts need to be updated each year. If you are having problems with either, reach out to us.

    Adjustment periods vary from person to person. Patients with multifocal lenses, an astigmatism or significant changes in their prescription may need to adapt to the changes.

    Most glasses and contact lens prescriptions are for one year.

    Frequent blinking, rubbing, headaches or trouble focusing on things may be a sign you need new glasses.

    If your child blinks or squints, sits close to the computer or television, has headaches or has a problem focusing or seeing, it is recommended that you schedule and eye exam for them.

    Costs

    The cost will vary based on the type of eye exam you need and the type of insurance you have. Check with your insurance company.

    Available payment options:

    Note: Health insurance might cover some of your eyewear costs. It is best to call since there are many different plans and coverage within each plan.

    We carry many current brands and styles. See our virtual frames gallery for most of our frames, or see an optician for a complete brand list.

    We offer a variety of value packages, premium packages, insurance discounts, multiple pair discounts along with a spring and fall eyewear event. Talk to us about:

    • Packages starting at $100

    • Second pair at 50% lenses discount

    • Sport and swim goggle packages

    Glasses

    You can return your glasses for 30 days from purchase. We will also remake your glasses at no cost if the prescription is wrong.

    We carry larger sizes and can order additional sizes from the manufacturer. We also carry eyewear for infants and petite frames.

    These are called transitions lenses. They come in a variety of colors and can also be polarized to reduce glare.

    We offer Flexon. These frames can be bent and will go right back into shape. We also have other frames that are known for durability. We also offer a one-year warranty on glasses.

    A no-glare or anti-reflective coating reduces glare allowing you to see more clearly when using electronic devices and driving at night.

    Most eyewear is completed in 5-7 days. Some specialty eyewear could take longer.

    Yes. We offer a variety of colors in tints and polarization.

    If your current frames are still in good condition with no cracks or weakness, we can reuse them with your new prescription.

    Using a soft cotton or microfiber cloth, use eyeglass cleaner and then wipe dry. If your lenses are very dirty, rinse them under cool water prior to spraying the lens cleaner.

    Yes. You can call any of our clinics or you are able to purchase your lenses online and have them delivered directly to your door.

    Insurance

    Prescription sunglasses are eligible for both. Most employers also allow reimbursement on supplies for prescription eyewear. Check with your human resources department for eligibility.

    We take Quartz, Medicare, Medicaid and more. It is best to call since there are many different plans and coverage within each plan.

    Other

    At UW Health, your eye health care team isn’t limited to your optometrist or ophthalmologist. Our board-certified opticians work with your doctors to ensure you achieve the best possible vision with your new eyewear.

    A certified optician is an eyecare expert that specializes in the fitting, adjusting, and dispensing of prescription eyeglasses and other visual aids. The certified optician also specializes in training new patients in the wearing of contact lenses.

    Working as a team with the optometrist and ophthalmologist, the certified optician will analyze your prescription and educate you on the best lens options that affect the way you see. They look at the size and shape of the lens, pupil and focal measurements, fitting heights for both single vision and multifocal lenses, lens materials, and more; while making sure that the frames look the best and that you feel good about your purchase.

    You likely wear glasses or contacts every day. Don’t leave such an important part of your eye health and personal style to a sales associate or online checklist. The experts at UW Health Optical will help you live your best life by ensuring you don’t miss any of the details, in style!

    Due to COVID-19, all UW Health Optical locations are seeing patients by appointment, with same-day appointments available.

    You may come in to request your pupil distance from the optical shops. For a small service fee, we will include professional measurements and a follow-up check of the eyewear or troubleshooting if there is a problem with the eyewear once you receive it.

    UW Health Optical strongly recommends ordering glasses from an optician, especially when ordering for kids. Many glasses ordered online have problems such as incorrect prescriptions, measurements and even lenses in the wrong eyes or placed in the frames upside down as well as missing options that were paid for and more.

    UW Health optical shops offer free fitting for eyewear you've purchased online, no matter where you bought your eyeglasses.

    Sorry, scratches cannot be polished or buffed out of lenses. This would ruin the surface of the lenses and potentially change the prescription of your eyewear. We do offer a one-year warranty and will replace your lenses one time during the first year.

    Yes. Just stop by the optical shops at your convenience with your prescription and we will be happy to assist you with new eyewear or contact lenses.

    • Prescription – Your new glasses are guaranteed to be made accurately according to the prescription provided to you by your eye doctor. If your doctor needs to make adjustments to your prescription, we will remake your lenses for you at no additional charge up to 90 days (6 months for post cataract patients) from your original exam date.

    • Frame and lenses – If your frame or lenses are defective within one year of your order date, we will replace them once at no charge. The original frame and/or lenses must be surrendered at time of exchange. Loss and abuse are not covered.