Optometrists in Pinehurst, NC
Primary eye care: comprehensive exams, prescriptions, and screening for eye disease.
4 verified providers in Pinehurst
Finding a optometrist in Pinehurst, NC
Pinehurst is the Moore County anchor of the Sandhills, a market with one of the largest retirement-age patient populations in North Carolina. FirstHealth of the Carolinas operates the regional system from Moore Regional Hospital, and the surrounding area carries a dense concentration of specialty practices supporting older adults — cardiology, orthopedics, urology, ophthalmology, and behavioral health among them.
What does an optometrist do?
Optometrists provide primary eye care: comprehensive eye exams, prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, evaluation of common eye conditions (dry eye, conjunctivitis, mild infections), and screening for eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. They're trained at the doctoral level (Doctor of Optometry, OD) and are licensed to prescribe most eye medications.
When a condition needs surgery or specialised medical management, the optometrist refers to an ophthalmologist (an MD eye surgeon). The two specialties often work together: the optometrist handles routine care and follow-up, the ophthalmologist handles surgery and complex disease.
Children, adults, and screening for disease
Most children have their first eye exam between six months and one year, then again before kindergarten and roughly every two years through school. Adults without complaints typically get a comprehensive exam every one to two years; people with diabetes, glaucoma history, or other risk factors should follow their provider's schedule, which may be annual.
Vision screenings at a school or primary-care office aren't a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam. Screenings catch obvious problems; a full optometry exam evaluates eye health, pressure, retina, and binocular function in a way a screening doesn't.
Optometrists in Pinehurst, NC
WILLIAM SCOTT ATHANS, OD
William Scott Athans, OD, is an optometrist providing eye care services in Pinehurst, NC. He works with patients on vision correction and comprehensive eye health evaluations.
VALERIE K COX, OD
Valerie K Cox, OD, is an optometrist serving patients in Pinehurst, NC. She provides comprehensive eye care services to help maintain your vision health.
MICHELE PHILBRICK KEEL, OD
Michele Philbrick Keel, OD, is an optometrist practicing in Pinehurst, NC. She provides comprehensive vision care and eye health services to her patients. Dr. Keel is committed to helping individuals achieve clear, healthy vision.
LORANCE KENNEDY BUMGARNER, OD
Lorance Kennedy Bumgarner, OD, is an optometrist in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Dr. Bumgarner provides comprehensive eye care services to patients in the local community.
Frequently asked
How many optometrists are listed in Pinehurst, NC?
Our directory currently lists 4 NPI-verified optometrists in Pinehurst, NC. This count updates as new providers are approved, so the number reflects current inventory rather than a static snapshot.
Do these optometrists accept TRICARE or military insurance?
Medicare is the primary insurer for a large share of patients in the Pinehurst area. Most practices accept Medicare; supplemental and Medicare Advantage acceptance varies by plan. Confirm before booking.
Vision plan vs. medical insurance — which one pays for my visit?
Routine eye exams (refraction for glasses or contacts) usually run through a vision plan, which often has separate billing from your medical insurance. Visits for an eye complaint or disease (red eye, diabetic eye exam, glaucoma follow-up) typically run through medical insurance. Many practices accept both and can tell you which one applies before the visit.
How is an optometrist different from an ophthalmologist?
An optometrist (OD) provides primary eye care, prescribes corrective lenses, treats common eye conditions, and screens for disease. An ophthalmologist (MD or DO) is a physician and surgeon who handles eye surgery and complex medical eye disease. Many patients see an optometrist for routine care and are referred to an ophthalmologist only when surgery or specialised treatment is needed.
Do I need to bring my old glasses?
Yes, if you have them. Your current prescription and frames give the optometrist a baseline for comparison. Bring contact lenses too if you wear them, along with the boxes or lens packaging so they can confirm brand and prescription details.
Are you a Pinehurst-area optometrist practice?
Add your practice to ProviderQuoHealth and connect with patients actively searching for optometrists in Pinehurst, NC. Listings are free during launch.