Hospital Policies to Help You Prepare
At Vet Vision Center, we want every visit to feel as smooth, supportive, and predictable as possible.
Here to help, every step of the way.
Our hospital policies are designed to help us provide the highest level of care while keeping appointments running on time and ensuring every patient receives the attention they need. Below, you’ll find important information to help you prepare for your visit, understand our processes, and know what to expect when you’re here.
Frequently Asked Questions
First Time Here?
Your pet’s first visit includes a comprehensive eye examination, similar to the thorough eye exam you would receive at your own eye doctor’s office. During this evaluation, the veterinary ophthalmologist will use their specialized equipment to assess your pet’s vision responses and pupil reflexes, and microscopically examine your pet’s eyelids and eyeball. A retinal examination is also performed.
The cost of the initial ophthalmology consultation is $335, which includes the comprehensive eye examination and, depending on your pet’s condition, any of the tests listed below:
- Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Measurement – A quick, painless test used to measure the pressure inside the eye and to screen for conditions such as glaucoma or uveitis.
- Fluorescein Stain – A special dye applied to one or both eyes to detect corneal ulcers, evaluate the tear film, and assess tear drainage.
- Schirmer Tear Test – A simple test that measures tear production and helps diagnose dry eye and related conditions.
Once the examination is complete, the doctor will review the findings with you, discuss any diagnoses, and explain the available treatment options. Together, you will develop a treatment plan tailored to your pet’s specific needs.
For your convenience, we stock many commonly prescribed ophthalmic medications on site and can dispense them during your visit so treatment can begin right away. If additional care is needed, the doctor may recommend follow-up examinations, specialized procedures, or surgery to help achieve the best possible outcome for your pet’s eye health and comfort.
Please note that medications, additional diagnostic testing beyond those listed above, procedures, and surgical treatments are not included in the consultation fee and will be discussed with you before any recommendations are pursued.
If any concerns come up before your follow-up visit, please reach out and let us know so we can address them as soon as possible.
The recheck examination is intended to assess your pet’s responses to treatment and to monitor for changes in your pet’s condition. Some eye diseases will require long-term, routine rechecks while other conditions can be fully cured with no further rechecks needed.
Follow-up visits cost $120. This does not include any diagnostic testing. Your nurse can provide you with an estimate for the follow-up visit. This does not include any diagnostic testing which may be needed to assess your pet’s condition, such as fluorescein staining to assess a corneal ulcer or measurement of the eye pressure to assess response to glaucoma therapy.
Any of our staff are happy to answer any questions about pricing, just give us a call.
Vet Vision Center sees patients by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, you can submit the Appointment Request Form. A team member will follow-up within one business day to confirm a time that works for your schedule.
You are also welcome to call us at 609-418-3937 to speak directly with a team member.
No. You can book directly with us by completing the Appointment Request Form. We will request your pet’s medical records from your primary (or specialty) vet ahead of your visit and review them in advance, and we send a written summary back to your primary (and specialty) vet after every appointment so your full care team stays in the loop.
While we’re not a 24/7 emergency hospital, we prioritize urgent cases and can often accommodate same-day emergency transfers for vision-threatening or surgical emergencies. Urgent appointments for rapidly progressing eye issues are prioritized within a few days. Call (609) 418-3937 to describe what you’re seeing and we’ll help determine the right next step.
To help us provide the best possible care, please bring the following to your pet’s appointment:
- Your pet, safely secured on a leash or in a carrier when entering the building.
- All current eye medications (if applicable), along with a list of all other medications and supplements your pet is taking, including the name, dose, and frequency.
Before Your Appointment
- Please send previous medical records from your primary veterinarian, if available.
- Please send photos of your pet’s eye(s) if you have them, especially if the appearance has changed over time.
- Continue all medications as prescribed by your primary veterinarian unless instructed otherwise. However, please do not apply any eye medications during the hour before your appointment.
- Complete the Patient History Form online at least 24 hours before your visit.
- If your pet has anxiety triggers, is more comfortable wearing a muzzle, or takes pre-visit calming medications, please let us know when you schedule the appointment so we can make the visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
For new patient consultations, please plan 60 to 90 minutes for the comprehensive eye exam, discussion with the doctor, development of a treatment plan, and discharge with a nurse. The nurse will go over the doctor’s recommendations, any prescribed medications, and the follow-up plan. You will leave with written discharge notes and your primary veterinarian will automatically receive a copy of the same.
Recheck examinations are typically much faster, about 15-30 minutes.
Yes. During most appointments, you will stay in the exam room with your pet throughout the visit. Our doctor will explain each part of the examination, discuss findings as the exam progresses, and answer any questions you have along the way. If you or a family member would prefer, you’re always welcome to step out to the waiting area at any time.
In some cases—particularly for pets who are very anxious, fearful, or have behavioral concerns—the examination may be safer and less stressful if the owner is not present. If this is recommended, a member of our team will explain why and ask you to step out briefly while we complete the exam.
Some follow-up appointments, such as routine post-operative rechecks, may be scheduled as nurse visits. During these visits, a veterinary nurse will take your pet to the treatment area for a brief examination by the doctor and then they’ll review the findings and plan with you.
Please park in the parking lot on the south side of our building, or the side that’s closer to downtown Lambertville. On the other side of our building is a much smaller lot for staff parking only.
We appreciate your effort in arriving early or on-time to your appointment, but we understand that life happens! If you find yourself running late, please give us a call as soon as you can. We will always try our best to keep your appointment, but our schedule is usually quite tightly packed so this may not always be possible. If you are running more than 15 minutes late, we’ll likely ask you to reschedule your visit to ensure we remain as close to schedule as possible.
Only with your verbal consent. We love sharing our patients’ stories online and in print, but we’ll always ask first. You can say yes or no when you check in, and you can change your mind at any time.
No. Vet Vision Center does not provide overnight hospitalization. Hospitalized patients must be picked up by 5:30 PM on the day of their visit. Late pickup is charged at $100 per 15-minute interval after 5:30 PM to cover the cost of our team staying late to care for your pet.
If your pet is scheduled for testing, a procedure, or surgery, we’ll assign you a drop-off time. Plan for about 30 minutes at admission. A member of our team will review the consent form, discuss your pet’s medications, and answer any questions. A deposit is required at drop-off, with the remaining balance due at discharge. We’ll arrange a specific discharge time with you once your pet’s procedure or testing is complete. You can find more detailed information by downloading the Surgery Client Handout.
Yes! Learn more about nearby restaurants and pet-friendly hotels nearby on our About page.
Our practice offers the convenience of an in-house laboratory and on-site diagnostic testing, including bloodwork and blood pressure checks. Abdominal ultrasounds and echocardiograms are performed on-site by Dr. Johanna Frank DVM, DVSc, ACVIM, a board-certified Internal Medicine specialist.
If other specialized care is needed, we can connect you with trusted referral partners in neurology, dermatology, dentistry, cardiology, and other specialties, helping ensure seamless continuity of care.
Please contact your primary veterinarian and any emergency or specialty hospital they may have been to and ask them to send about two years of medical history.
Our general email box for medical records is hello@vetvisioncenter.vet.
Our fax number is (609) 566-3255.
Appointment & Cancellation Policies
We understand that life can be unpredictable, and unexpected situations may arise. If you need to cancel or reschedule your pet’s appointment, we kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice whenever possible.
Providing advance notice allows us to offer the appointment time to another pet in need of care.
Late Cancellations and Missed Appointments
Appointments canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice may be subject to a cancellation fee. Missed appointments without notice (“no-shows”) may result in a fee or require a deposit before scheduling future appointments.
Compassionate Consideration
We recognize that emergencies, family crises, severe weather, transportation issues, and unexpected pet health concerns can occur. If you experience circumstances beyond your control, please contact us as soon as possible. We review these situations individually and may waive fees at our discretion.
If your pet becomes unwell before the scheduled appointment—especially with a contagious condition such as kennel cough, parvovirus, or feline herpesvirus—please call us to discuss your options. Depending on the severity of the eye condition, we may recommend rescheduling your visit.
Payment Options
We accept a variety of payment methods for your convenience, including:
- Cash
- Personal checks
- All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover)
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other contactless tap-to-pay methods
- Text-to-pay and email-to-pay payment links
Payment is due at the time of service. If you prefer, you may also pay in advance—for example, if you won’t have your payment method with you or if someone else will be bringing your pet or picking up medications on your behalf.
If you would like an estimate before your visit, our team is happy to discuss anticipated costs and answer any questions about your pet’s care.
We proudly accept CareCredit, a healthcare financing option that can help make your pet’s veterinary care more affordable by allowing you to pay for eligible expenses over time with convenient monthly payments.
CareCredit can be used for a wide range of services at Vet Vision Center, including:
- Comprehensive eye exams
- Diagnostic testing
- Surgical procedures
- Medical treatments
- Follow-up and ongoing care
If you’re interested in using CareCredit or have questions about financing your pet’s care, our team is happy to help you determine whether it’s the right option for you.
How to Apply
You can apply online directly through the CareCredit application link on our website. The application process may include a soft credit check for pre-qualification, which does not affect your credit score. If you choose to accept an approved credit offer, a hard credit inquiry is then completed.
You’ll receive a decision quickly, and if approved, you can use your account immediately for eligible veterinary services.
Questions?
Our team is happy to help you understand how CareCredit works or guide you through the application process during your visit or over the phone.
If your pet is insured through Trupanion, Vet Vision Center participates in Trupanion’s Direct Pay program.
With Direct Pay, we can submit eligible claims directly to Trupanion at the time of your visit. Instead of paying the full invoice and waiting for reimbursement, you’ll only be responsible for your portion of the bill based on your policy’s coverage.
This means:
- No claim paperwork to submit after your visit
- No waiting for reimbursement
- A simpler, more convenient checkout experience
If you have questions about your coverage or whether your visit qualifies for Direct Pay, our team is happy to help.
Payment is due at the time of service. For procedures requiring admission, we collect a deposit at drop-off and the remaining balance at discharge.
Yes. Vet Vision Center is pleased to offer the following discounts:
- 5% discount for seniors (65+) with a valid photo ID
- 5% discount for active-duty or retired military personnel, police officers, and firefighters
- 15% discount for nonprofit animal rescue organizations with current 501(c)(3) status
Please note that discounts apply to professional services only and do not apply to medications, laboratory testing, supplies, or other retail items. Discounts cannot be applied retroactively.
If you qualify for one of these discounts, please let our team know at check-in so we can ensure it is applied to your account.
Pharmacy Policies
Refilling your pet’s medication is easy. You can:
- Submit our Prescription Refill Form
- Call us at (609) 418-3937
- Email us at pharmacy@vetvisioncenter.vet
Please allow at least one business day for your refill request to be processed.
To comply with state and federal regulations, we can only authorize prescription refills for pets that have been examined by a veterinarian at Vet Vision Center within the past 12 months.
If your pet’s medication was dispensed by a compounding pharmacy, such as Stokes Pharmacy (800-754-5222), please contact the pharmacy directly for refills. They will coordinate with our doctors if a new prescription authorization is needed.
To help ensure the highest quality and consistency for your pet’s compounded eye medications, we recommend using Stokes/Epicur Pharmacy for fulfillment.
You have two convenient options:
Both options provide access to the same high-quality compounded medications trusted and used by our hospital. Our team is happy to help guide you through the ordering process or answer any questions about your pet’s prescriptions.
We understand that convenience matters when it comes to your pet’s medications. Chewy offers a variety of ophthalmic (eye) medications, and many of our clients appreciate the ease of having prescriptions delivered directly to their home.
If you would like to fill your pet’s prescription through Chewy, you’ll need an active Chewy account. When Chewy contacts us for prescription approval, we’ll need the email address associated with your Chewy account to verify the request.
Important Information About Compounded Eye Medications
Chewy has recently changed the pharmacy that prepares their compounded ophthalmic medications. As a result, medications received through Chewy may differ from previous orders.
You may notice differences in:
- Appearance
- Packaging and labeling
- Beyond-use (expiration) dates
- Overall shelf life
These changes reflect Chewy’s current pharmacy supplier and are not related to your pet’s prescription or treatment plan.
Can I Still Use Chewy?
Absolutely. If Chewy is the most convenient option for you, we are happy to approve your prescription.
We simply want our clients to be aware that compounded medications dispensed through Chewy are no longer prepared by the same pharmacy previously recommended by Vet Vision Center. Depending on the medication your pet needs, we may recommend an alternative pharmacy if longer shelf life or specific formulations are important.
Medication refills can be picked up at Vet Vision Center during our regular business hours:
Monday–Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
To help us serve you as efficiently as possible, please call ahead to request your refill. Our nursing team will prepare your pet’s medication and notify you as soon as it is ready for pickup.
Calling in advance helps minimize your wait time and ensures your prescription is ready when you arrive.
Need your pet’s medication shipped? We’ve made the process simple and convenient.
To request a refill, contact us by phone, text, or email and specify that you’d like the medication to be shipped. Once your request is received, our nursing team will prepare your order and send you a secure payment link. If payment is received by 3:30 PM, your medication will usually ship the same business day.
Shipping Details:
- UPS Ground shipping (typically 1–3 business days): $13.00
- Orders over $100 are shipped with insurance for $15.50
- Overnight shipping is available upon request, although UPS Ground is typically fast enough for most prescriptions. The cost of overnight shipping will vary depending on the address.
If your package is delayed or lost in transit, please contact us as soon as possible. We’ll work directly with the shipping carrier to file a claim and send a replacement medication so your pet’s treatment can continue without interruption.
Depending on your pet’s medication, some prescriptions may also be filled through your local retail pharmacy.
If a commercially available medication is appropriate for your pet, our team can send the prescription directly to the pharmacy of your choice. This may be a convenient option if you prefer to pick up your pet’s medication locally.
We’re Happy to Help
Every medication is different, and the best pharmacy option depends on your pet’s specific treatment plan. If you have questions about where to fill your pet’s prescription or would like guidance comparing your options, our team is happy to help you choose the solution that best fits your pet’s needs and your family’s schedule.
Our goal is to make getting your pet’s medications as safe, convenient, and stress-free as possible while ensuring they receive the highest quality care.
Because most pets do not have prescription insurance coverage like people do, we recommend exploring discount options before filling your pet’s medications.
Many families use GoodRx to help reduce prescription costs. Please keep in mind that some commercial pharmacies may not accept GoodRx coupons for pet prescriptions, so it can be helpful to compare prices between pharmacies.
If you have questions about where to fill your pet’s medication or how to find the most cost-effective option, our team is happy to help you choose the best solution for your pet’s needs.
Let’s take care of your pet’s vision — together.
If something doesn’t feel right, you don’t have to wait. Schedule an appointment or give us a call. We’re here to help you find answers and next steps with clarity and care.