About Us
Gulf Coast Vision Center
Gulf Coast Vision Center has been proudly serving patients for over 50 years. We started in 1972 in a small office on Hood Drive in Ensley and moved into our current building on Nine Mile Road in 1986. We now offer our services at 3 additional locations across the Gulf Coast including East Hill, Pace and Crestview.
At Gulf Coast Vision Center, the concept of eye care is more than just treating problems. We connect with our clients and care about their well-being. We believe that when we take a more investigative approach to eye care, we are better prepared to preserve and restore vision and enhance your overall health.
Something as simple as brief or slight vision loss can indicate carotid artery disease. These types of symptoms reinforce the importance of proactive eye care. Gulf Coast Vision Center provides complete eye care, including referrals for more extensive procedures such as eye surgery.
We provide comprehensive treatment and management of diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts. We also treat problems related to dry eyes, allergies, diabetes and other systemic conditions.
Our Services include:
- Comprehensive Eye Physicals
- LASIK, PRK and CK Consultation
- Visual Fields
- Testing Nerve Fiber Analysis
- Photo Documentation
- Glaucoma Evaluation
- Cataract Evaluation
- Pediatric Eye Exam
- Low Vision Exam
Our Amazing Vision Care Staff
Gulf Coast Vision Center's strength lies within our ability to care for patients with sincerity and a smile. Responsive and careful customer service is at the heart of what we do. Our commitment to putting patients first reflects our passion for fulfilling our role as educators and caregivers. Each person on our staff provides the ultimate experience in patient care and service.
We love what we do and have a desire to help others, from children to seniors. To us, the little things matter – whether it's helping a patient choose just the right frame or greeting someone at the door. Expertise, experience and an eye for education backed by our unparalleled service is what sets us apart.
Insurance We Accept
Many eye-related health issues are covered by insurance. Gulf Coast Vision Center accepts a variety of options for health and vision insurance. The list below shows a few, but not all, of the plans we accept. If you do not see your insurance, call our office for more information or confirm whether your plan is accepted.
Exam Technology
Digital Retinal Imaging/Fundus Photos
Our advanced medical technology combines retinal photography with computerized imaging to instantly view the retina and optic nerve in detail. Both you and your doctor can view the image on a high-def computer monitor.
This method of examining and documenting the retina promotes earlier diagnosis of abnormal conditions. Utilizing this technology, we can prevent permanent vision loss. An additional benefit of retinal imaging is that we store the picture permanently and compare them against future changes.
Visual Field Analyzer
Visual field tests assess the potential presence of blind spots (scotomas), indicating eye diseases. A blind spot in the field of vision can be linked to various specific eye diseases, depending on the size and shape of the scotoma. Many eye and brain disorders can cause peripheral vision loss and visual field abnormalities.
For example, optic nerve damage caused by glaucoma creates a very specific visual field defect. Other eye problems associated with blind spots and other visual field defects include optic nerve damage (optic neuropathy) from disease or damage to the light-sensitive inner lining of the eye (retina).
Brain abnormalities such as those caused by strokes or tumors can affect the visual field. The location of the stroke or tumor in the brain can frequently be determined by the size, shape and size of the visual field defect.
Optical Coherence Tomography "OCT"
Optical Coherence Tomography obtains sub-surface images of translucent or opaque materials at a resolution equivalent to a low-power microscope. It is effectively "optical ultrasound," imaging reflections from within tissue to provide cross-sectional images. OCT delivers high resolution because it is based on light rather than sound or radiofrequency.
An optical beam is directed at the tissue, and a small portion of this light that reflects from subsurface features is collected. As a result, OCT can build up clear 3D images of thick samples by rejecting background signals while collecting light directly reflected from surfaces of interest.
This instrument gives us a safe method of evaluating the structures below the surface so that we may detect damage that might otherwise go undetected until vision loss has occurred.
GCVC Community Involvement
At GCVC, we believe in the power of bringing positive change to our community. We partner with local organizations to provide services and resources to those in need. Our partnerships include:
- Ronald McDonald House (since 2011) - GCVC is the official eye care provider for the RMH; providing free eye exams and free eyeglasses to their residents. Services have totaled more than $35,000 over the past decade.
- Health and Hope Clinic (since 2011) - GCVC donates eye exam equipment to Health and Hope Clinic and performs exams at the clinic monthly.
- St. Joseph Clinic (since 2011)
- Blue Wahoos - GCVC is the official eye care provider for the Blue Wahoos.
- Florida State Low Vision Initiative (since 2006) - GCVC partners with FSLVI to provide eye examinations, glasses and low vision aids to school-age children with visual impairments.
- Give a Book - GCVC is an eye care provider for the Give a Book organization in Costa Rica.
- University of West Florida - GCVC is an eye care provider for the faculty, staff, and students at UWF.
Schedule an Eye Exam Today
Contact Gulf Coast Vision Center today and visit one of our Pace, Crestview or Pensacola locations to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.