The Best Optometrists in Scammon Bay, AK
Compare 3 verified eye care professionals in Scammon Bay. Read reviews, check credentials, and find the perfect optometrist for your vision needs.
Verified Eye Care Professionals
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Optometry
Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation
YKHC provides comprehensive optometry services to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region, including Scammon Bay through their community health aide program and traveling specialist services. They offer culturally competent care with providers who regularly visit rural communities. Services include comprehensive eye exams, diabetic retinopathy screening, glaucoma management, and prescription eyewear. They have strong partnerships with local tribal health organizations and provide telemedicine consultations for remote communities.
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Alaska Native Medical Center Eye Clinic
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
ANMC serves as the regional referral center for Alaska Native people across the state, including Scammon Bay residents. Their comprehensive eye clinic provides full-spectrum optometry and ophthalmology services with providers who travel to rural communities. They offer specialized services including diabetic eye care, glaucoma management, and pediatric vision services. The clinic coordinates with local health aides in Scammon Bay for follow-up care and provides transportation assistance for patients needing advanced care in Anchorage.
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Bethel Family Clinic - Vision Services
Bethel Family Clinic
Serving the Yukon-Kuskokwim region including Scammon Bay, this clinic provides accessible optometry services with providers who conduct regular outreach to rural villages. They offer comprehensive vision care including pediatric exams, contact lens fittings, and management of chronic eye conditions. The clinic works closely with tribal organizations to ensure coordinated care and provides tele-optometry services for remote consultations. They have established relationships with Scammon Bay's local health clinic for patient referrals and follow-up care.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any optometrists located directly in Scammon Bay, Alaska?
Scammon Bay is a small, remote community, and it is highly unlikely to have a resident optometrist with a permanent clinic. Eye care services are typically provided through visiting optometrists who travel to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region on a scheduled basis or through regional health organizations like the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC). Residents should contact the local Scammon Bay Health Clinic for information on upcoming vision care visits.
How can I find out when a traveling optometrist will be visiting Scammon Bay?
The best way to find out about visiting optometrists is to contact the Scammon Bay Health Clinic directly. They coordinate with regional health providers to schedule specialty clinics. You can also check with the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) in Bethel, as they often organize and advertise "vision van" or traveling specialist schedules for villages in the region, including Scammon Bay.
What eye care services are typically available during a visiting optometrist's clinic in Scammon Bay?
Visiting optometrists to Scammon Bay typically provide comprehensive eye exams, prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, and screenings for common eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Due to travel and space limitations, services like on-site grinding of lenses are usually not available. Prescriptions are often filled and glasses are mailed to the patient after being fabricated at a central lab, which can take several weeks.
Does insurance like Medicaid or Indian Health Service cover eye exams with a visiting optometrist in Scammon Bay?
Yes, Medicaid and services provided through the Indian Health Service (IHS) or Tribal Health Organizations typically cover eye exams with authorized providers. Since care in Scammon Bay is often facilitated through the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (which is a Tribal organization), exams with their visiting optometrists are generally covered. It's always advisable to confirm coverage with the clinic staff when scheduling your appointment.
If I need a more specialized eye treatment, what are my options from Scammon Bay?
For specialized care beyond what a visiting optometrist can provide (such as surgical consultation or advanced disease management), patients from Scammon Bay are typically referred to an ophthalmologist in a larger hub. The most common referral path is through the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation to the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) in Anchorage. Travel for these appointments is often coordinated and covered by medical travel programs for eligible patients.