The Best Optometrists in Kiana, AK
Compare 3 verified eye care professionals in Kiana. Read reviews, check credentials, and find the perfect optometrist for your vision needs.
Verified Eye Care Professionals
Maniilaq Health Center Optometry
Maniilaq Association
Maniilaq Health Center provides comprehensive optometry services to the Northwest Arctic Borough, including regular outreach clinics to remote villages like Kiana. As the primary healthcare provider for the region, they offer specialized eye care for Arctic conditions, including treatment for snow blindness and UV protection. Their mobile health teams regularly travel to Kiana and other villages, providing essential eye care services to remote communities. The optometry department is staffed by experienced providers who understand the unique visual challenges of Arctic living.
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Providence Alaska Eye Care
Providence Health & Services Alaska
Providence Alaska's Eye Care Center serves as a referral center for rural Alaska communities including Kiana. They offer comprehensive eye care services and regularly accommodate patients from remote villages through their rural health coordination program. The facility features advanced diagnostic equipment and provides tele-optometry consultations for preliminary assessments. Their team includes optometrists experienced in serving Alaska Native populations and understanding the specific eye health challenges faced in Arctic environments.
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Alaska Native Medical Center Eye Clinic
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
The Alaska Native Medical Center Eye Clinic provides specialized optometry services to Alaska Native people across the state, including residents of Kiana. They offer travel coordination for patients needing eye care from remote locations and maintain strong relationships with village health aides for follow-up care. The clinic handles complex medical eye conditions and provides culturally sensitive care. Their providers have extensive experience with Arctic eye health issues and work closely with the broader ANMC medical team for comprehensive patient care.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any optometrists located directly in Kiana, Alaska?
Kiana is a small, remote community, and it is unlikely to have a resident optometrist with a permanent practice. Eye care services are typically provided through visiting optometrists who travel to the region periodically or through regional health centers. Residents usually travel to larger hubs like Kotzebue or Fairbanks for comprehensive eye exams and ongoing care.
How can I find out when a visiting optometrist will be in Kiana or nearby?
The best way is to contact the Maniilaq Health Center in Kotzebue, which provides health services for the Northwest Arctic Borough, including Kiana. They often schedule and announce visiting specialist clinics, including optometry. You can also check with the Kiana Tribal Council or the local Kiana Clinic for bulletins about upcoming health provider visits to the community.
What should I look for in an optometrist who serves remote communities like Kiana?
When choosing an optometrist who travels to the region, prioritize those experienced in remote Alaskan care. Look for practices that offer portable diagnostic equipment for comprehensive exams on-site. It's also crucial they have a reliable system for ordering and shipping contact lenses or eyeglasses to Kiana, as follow-up visits may be months apart. Confirming they accept Alaska Native Medical Center funding or common local insurance is also key.
What eye care services are typically available during a visiting optometrist's clinic in Kiana?
Visiting optometrist clinics in Kiana typically focus on essential services due to travel logistics. This includes comprehensive eye exams for glasses and contact lens prescriptions, screenings for conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, and treatment for minor eye infections or dry eye. For complex issues requiring surgery or advanced treatment, they will provide a referral to a specialist in Anchorage or Fairbanks.
How do costs and insurance work for eye care when using a visiting optometrist in Kiana?
Costs can vary, but services through the Maniilaq Association or tribal health services are often covered for eligible beneficiaries. For others, it's important to verify the optometrist's accepted insurance plans before their visit. Be prepared for potential additional costs related to the remote service, and ask about payment plans. Since getting glasses shipped to Kiana can be expensive, inquire if the optometrist's affiliated optical lab offers any shipping subsidies or discounts for remote Alaskan residents.