Comprehensive Eye Care and Full Service Eyewear
Comprehensive Eye Care and Full Service Eyewear
On Wilmington Island since 1992
Monday — Thursday
9am — 1pm, 2pm — 5.30pm
Dr. Emma Beisel Ferrell
Dr. Caroline Freeman
Optometrist
Larry Lee
Licensed Optician
ABOUT US
Click a doctor to learn more
ABOUT US
Click a doctor to learn more
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Born and raised in Akron, OH
Undergraduate: B.S. Physiological Optics, 1985, The Ohio State University
Professional School: Doctor of Optometry, 1987, The Ohio State University
Residency: Wade Park VA, Cleveland OH, 1988
Faculty: Instructor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1988 - 1991
Post-professional: MPH, 1991, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Private Practice: 1991 - present, Savannah, GA
Georgia Eye Institute: 1994 - present
Member of American Optometric Association since 1987
Member of Georgia Optometric Association since 1991
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Born and raised in Savannah, GA
Undergraduate: B.S. STaC, 2014, Georgia Institute of Technology
Professional School: Doctor of Optometry, 2022, UAB School of Optometry
Professional School Accolades:
Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society Silver Medal (Valedictorian of UABSO Class of 2022)
UAB Dean's Scholarship 2020 Recipient
UABSO Dean’s List with High Honors; all semesters 2018-2022
Women in Optometry Top Graduate 2022 (UABSO)
VisionAmerica Outstanding CEVS Student Award for Academic Excellence
Member of Georgia Optometric Association since 2022
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Native of Plano, Texas
Undergraduate: University of Georgia
Professional School: Doctor of Optometry, University of Houston College of Optometry
She practiced for several years in Houston before relocating to Savannah with her husband, John. She has a passion for personalized eye care, and she especially enjoys working with children. When Dr. Freeman isn’t in the office, you can find her baking, watching college football, or visiting the Forsyth Farmers’ Market with her daughter Hattie and son Tate.
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After more than 30 years of dedicated service, Dr. Kelli retired in December 2025. Throughout her career at Island Eye Care, she provided outstanding patient care with a particular passion for pediatrics and treatment of amblyopia. We thank her for her years of excellent work and wish her well in retirement.
OUR SERVICES
OUR SERVICES
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We are proud to provide comprehensive eye care with a home-town feel. Alongside determining your glasses prescription, we also diagnose and manage many eye conditions. Some of the most common are as follows:
• Refractive errors (ie. nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, presbyopia)
• Dry Eye Syndrome
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Diabetic eye exams (diabetic retinopathy)
• Amblyopia (“lazy eye”, eye turns)
and many more!
Call today to schedule your eye appointment or use our online appointment request service.
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Whether you have worn contacts for fifteen years or are looking to wear contact lenses for the first time, we are here to help! At a contact lens examination, we determine the prescription needed for contact lenses, the fit of the lenses on your eyes, and of course, your comfort.
If you are new to contact lenses, we are sure to make you confident with inserting and removing the contact lenses on your own with a one-on-one training session.
And remember, by law, contact lens prescriptions expire yearly.
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The American Optometric Association recommends a child’s first eye exam to be performed at 6 months of age, then exams at 3 years old, then prior to kindergarten/first grade (5 - 6 years old).
We look forward to seeing your little ones!
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Did you wake up with a red eye? Allergy eyes? Did yard debris fly into your eye while mowing the lawn? Did your cat or child scratch your eye?!
Most of the time, we are able to see you the same day for any minor eye injury or acute medical needs.
Please note: If our office is closed, please call Georgia Eye Institute or dial 9-1-1.
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We proudly provide full-service eyewear and have an impressive selection of designer glasses and sunglasses alike. Our optician, Larry, is a mastermind at creating the perfect pair of glasses for your needs, whether that be computer glasses, blue-blocking lenses, anti-fatigue glasses, polarized prescription sunglasses, monocles (yes, really!), and so much more.
We are also happy to repair or adjust your glasses at any time. Appointments are recommended.
insurance
Patient resource
insurance
Patient resource
Insurance can be confusing. We've answered some of the questions we hear most often below.
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We are currently an in-network provider for VSP.
If you have another vision insurance plan, we encourage you to contact your insurance company regarding any available out-of-network benefits.
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We currently participate with Medicare and UnitedHealthcare for medical eye care services. We also file claims for many Medicare secondary insurance plans when Medicare is your primary insurance.
We are not currently in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield. We know many of our longtime patients have BCBS, and we're grateful you've continued to trust us with your eye care. BCBS patients are always welcome at our practice and may choose our self-pay option for comprehensive eye exams. Upon request, we're happy to provide a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for any available out-of-network reimbursement.
Because insurance companies offer many different plans and networks, we recommend contacting your insurance company before your visit to confirm your specific coverage.
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Coverage depends on your individual insurance plan.
If you have questions about your network status, deductible, copays, or benefits before your appointment, please contact your insurance company using the number on the back of your insurance card.
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We do not verify individual insurance benefits before scheduled appointments.
If you would like to confirm your coverage before your visit, please contact your insurance company directly. They can provide the most accurate information about your specific plan.
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Insurance benefits vary by plan.
Depending on your policy, you may be responsible for deductibles, copays, coinsurance, or services and materials that are not covered by your insurance.
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Vision insurance generally helps cover routine eye exams and eyewear.
Medical insurance is used when evaluating or treating medical eye conditions such as infections, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes-related eye disease, or injuries.
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Are you in-network with Island Eye Care?
Do I have routine vision benefits?
Do I have medical eye care benefits?
What is my copay?
Have I met my deductible?
What is my frame allowance?
What services are covered under my plan?
what to expect at your appointment
patient resource
what to expect at your appointment
patient resource
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Current glasses / most recent glasses prescription
Contact lenses / most recent contact lens prescription (if applicable)
Insurance card(s)
Medication list (if appropriate)
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Most comprehensive eye exams include dilation.
Dilation involves placing eye drops in your eyes that temporarily enlarge your pupils, allowing your doctor to better examine the health of your retina and optic nerve.
Your near vision may be blurry and your eyes may be more sensitive to light for a few hours afterward. Some follow-up visits may not require dilation.
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Most patients are able to drive after dilation. However, your eyes will likely be more sensitive to light, and your near vision may be blurry for a few hours.
We recommend bringing sunglasses for comfort. If you're concerned about driving after your appointment, please let us know before your visit.
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Not at all.
Many patients come to us after missing routine eye exams for a variety of reasons. Our focus is on your eye health today, not how long it's been! We'll perform a thorough evaluation and discuss any recommendations with you.
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We'll evaluate your prescription, vision, and current glasses. If new glasses would improve your vision, we'll discuss your options. If your current glasses are still serving you well, we'll let you know that too! New glasses aren’t necessarily needed every year!
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Absolutely! Following your exam, you're welcome to explore our carefully curated frame collection. In most cases, we'll help you select your frames and lenses and place your order the very same day.
EYEWEAR SELECTION
EYEWEAR SELECTION
While we are always adding new brands and styles to our inventory, we are proud to carry the brands below, and can order multiple styles or colors at your request for try-on.
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Anglo American • BCBGMAXAZRIA • Calvin Klein • Converse • Costa del Mar • Dutz • Etnia Barcelona • gx by Gwen Stefani • ILLA • INVU • Kate Spade • l.a. Eyeworks • L.A.M.B. • Lacoste • Lilly Pulitzer • Longchamp • Lulu Guinness • Miyagi Eyewear • Nine West • Oakley • Prodesign Denmark • Ray Ban • Salvatore Ferragamo • Scott Harris • Silhouette • Skaga • Steve Madden • Ted Baker • Tura • Vera Wang • Zac Posen
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Bajío • Costa del Mar • Etnia Barcelona • Kate Spade • l.a. Eyeworks • Maui Jim • Oakley • Ray Ban • Rēvo • Smith • Tura
GALLERY
GALLERY
