We are located right in the center of downtown Palmer, MA, across the street from the Palmer Library.

Our address is: 1448 North Main St, Palmer, MA 01069

In accordance with local, state and federal regulations Quabbin Valley Eye Care is required to adhere to all current protocols for medical facilities in regards to the wearing of face masks while in our facility. 

• Appointments are required for all exam related visits to the office, walk-ins are not accepted for eye examination or contact lens related visits (Note: Walk-Ins are welcome for Optical Shop services like new purchases, repairs, adjustments, etc. Appointments are required for pick-up of new eyewear).
• We are pleased to announce that as of May 11, 2023 face masks are no longer required in our facility.  Face masks are optional in our office, however we encourage our patients that feel more comfortable to wear a face mask to continue to do so.  Masks are on hand and available if the need should arise.

The staff at QVEC sincerely appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding in regards to the changing guidelines that have been required at our facility.

Quabbin Valley Eye Care is a family friendly practice providing care for anyone age 6 and up.

• Patients are requested to arrive 10-15 before your appointment to fill out or update any required paperwork. New patients are asked to arrive no later than 15 minutes early for their first visit to assure that their New Patient Paperwork is filled out completely and thoroughly (regardless of whether it has been submitted ahead of time or filled out and submitted on-line – we will need to review with you and also get any other insurance and medical information required for the initial visit)
• Visual acuity testing (seeing how well your eyes are currently seeing, either with your existing glasses/contacts, or without correction) and Refraction (measurements done to determine the need for glasses)
• Testing for Glaucoma (Non-Contact Tonometry or “air puff”, or Goldman Tonometry which requires an aesthetic drop)
• Retinal and internal eye health examination, which may require dilating drops that will last 1-3 hours
• OCT (Ocular Coherence Tomography) or Retinal Photographs may be offered or necessary at the time of your visit, or rescheduled to another day
• Visual Field Testing may be necessary at the time of your visit, or rescheduled to another day

• Please bring any eyeglasses you currently wear including sunglasses* (prescription and non-prescription). We also ask that you bring any glasses you’ve previously been prescribed, but can no longer use. These can be used to have your new prescription placed in them depending on their condition, or if you would like to donate them to the Lions Club we will gladly take the donations for you
  *Disposable sunglasses will be given at the end of your dilated examination visit if you do not own sunglasses
• Patient’s are requested to bring a list of all current medications taken and any allergies to medications or other items/substances (ie. latex, adhesives, peanuts, etc…) so that we can notate this medical information in your chart appropriately.
• Due to light sensitivity from dilation, occasionally patients prefer bringing a driver, although it is not required. QVEC has no restrictions regarding bringing a driver or additional people along with you to your visit, so please feel free to do so. Dilation can last anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on the patients and drops used. Although your distance vision is not generally affected by dilation drops, near vision will be blurred and your eyes will be sensitive to sunlight during this period of time as well.

• It is important that you wear your contact lenses to your routine or contact lens related exam if contact lenses are being evaluated, examined or refit.  We can not check them if you don’t have them!  
• Please wear your lenses for at least 2 hours before coming in, with them still in your eyes, to your visit.  This will assure that they have had time to settle in your eyes and allow us to perform a better evaluation of their fit and visual acuity
• DO NOT wear your contact lenses if your eyes are red, irritated, hurt or have discharge.  If this occurs when wearing your lenses, remove them immediately and call the office to be seen.  WHEN IN DOUBT, TAKE THEM OUT!
• If you are a previous contact lens wearer and are new to our office, we kindly ask that you bring any boxes, foils, or other files/information about your contact lens prescription with you to your visit, as well with your current eyeglasses
• Please provide us with the brand of contact lens solution you currently use for cleaning, storage and disinfection

• Tufts
• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Health New England
• Cigna
• Tricare
• Unicare
• Harvard Pilgrim
• Partners
• United Health Care
• Medicare
• MassHealth
• EyeMed

We also accept CareCredit, FSA and HSA accounts for payment remittance for services and/or materials (as applicable).

*Notice to Medicare Patients:  Medicare does not cover the $50 refraction portion of your routine eye examination.  Medicare will only cover medical eye health  and problem related examinations. Sometimes your secondary insurance will cover the refraction fee, depending on the plan.  For any additional insurance questions, please contact the office directly.