Vision Clinic

At Cougar Health Services, we know that vision is important to your overall health. Taking care of your vision can not only help you see clearly now – it can also help prevent problems down the road. 

Need an appointment?

No wait lists! We have same-day appointments available and we are able to see most students within just a few days. To make an eye care appointment, log in to your Patient Portal or call us at 509-335-0360.

Canceling or Rescheduling Appointments 

Because services are in high demand, missed appointments mean missed opportunities for other students needing services. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please call 509-335-3575 or visit your patient portal.

There is a $25 no-show fee for missed or late arrival for appointments.

Schedule an appointment in the Patient Portal

Today's Hours

Vision Clinic

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Located in the Washington Building (Cougar Health Services) NE Washington St., Pullman

Contact us

Phone
509-335-0360
Email
cougarhealth.visionclinic@wsu.edu

Services

We are committed to providing professional, highly accessible vision care for WSU students. Our trained eye care professionals provide comprehensive eye exams using state-of-the-art equipment. Services include: 

A comprehensive eye exam is more than just checking your vision—it’s a complete check-up for your eyes. Here’s what happens during your visit:

  • We’ll discuss your health and vision needs. This will help us understand any concerns and how you use your eyes daily.
  • We’ll check how clearly you see. By testing your vision, we will know if you need glasses or an updated prescription.
  • We’ll test how your eyes work together. This includes checking eye movement and coordination.
  • We’ll screen for eye conditions. With various tests, we’ll check for signs of glaucoma, cataracts, and other common eye issues.
  • We’ll look at the overall health of your eyes. Using special tools, we’ll examine the inside and outside of your eyes to make sure everything looks healthy.

Dilatation

As part of your comprehensive eye exam, we may need to dilate your pupils using special eye drops. This helps us get a better view of the back of your eyes, including the retina and optic nerve, so we can check for signs of conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic eye disease.

What to expect:

  • The drops may take about 15–30 minutes to fully work.
  • Your vision may be blurry and sensitive to light for a few hours afterward.
  • We recommend bringing sunglasses and planning for someone to drive you, if needed.
  • Dilation is a key part of protecting your long-term eye health, and we’ll let you know if it’s necessary based on your individual needs.
  • After the exam, we’ll go over your results and talk about any next steps—like updating your glasses or scheduling a follow-up.

If you're experiencing any changes in your vision or eye comfort, we’re here to help with personalized care and treatment plans. Regular eye exams are the best way to catch issues early and keep your eyes healthy.

  • Refractive Errorssuch as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, are typically corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery options like LASIK.
  • Dry Eye Syndrome is caused by reduced tear production or screen overuse. Treatments include lubricating eye drops, lifestyle changes, and specialized therapies.
  • Cataracts Clouding of the eye’s lens, often due to aging. We diagnose and refer for cataract surgery when needed.
  • Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve and is often linked to high eye pressure. Early detection is key, and treatment may include eye drops or referral for advanced care.
  • Macular Degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. We monitor and manage progression with lifestyle guidance and referrals.
  • Diabetic Eye Disease Diabetes can affect the blood vessels in the eyes. Regular exams help detect and manage these changes early.
  • Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Whether viral, bacterial, or allergic, we diagnose and treat with appropriate medications or guidance.
  • Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) and Strabismus (Crossed Eyes) are Common in children. These conditions are treated with glasses, eye patches, or vision therapy.

We can fill prescriptions for contacts from our optometrist or other providers. If we don’t have your current prescription on file, we can get it from your previous provider.

  • We can order any brand of contacts to fill your prescription.
  • Most contact lens orders arrive within 5-7 business days. If you have a current prescription and need a refill, please contact us.

Eye emergencies can’t wait—and neither should you. At the Vision Clinic, we offer same-day emergency appointments to ensure you get prompt care when it matters most.

If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, please call us at once:

  • Red or painful eyes
  • Flashes of light or sudden vision changes
  • New or increased floaters
  • Eye injuries or trauma to the face

Our team is trained to handle urgent eye conditions and will prioritize your care to protect your vision and comfort.

Purchasing Eyeglasses

We can fill prescriptions for glasses from our optometrist or other providers. If we don’t have your current prescription on file, we can get it from your previous provider.

  • Our stock of eyeglass frames and sunglasses includes options to fit most budgets. We have a large inventory of prescription eyeglass lenses in stock and a full-service lab. If we have your prescription lenses in stock, we can have your glasses ready in one business day. If we need to order your prescription lenses, they will usually arrive in about five business days.

Our inventory of frames changes often to provide both current and classic styles. We carry many popular brands like:

  • Burberry
  • Tommy Hilfiger
  • Oakley
  • Prada
  • Ray-Ban
  • Tom Ford
  • TOMS Eyewear
  • Valdo
  • and many more!
  • $200 Cougar Package. The Cougar Package includes selected frames, single-vision polycarbonate lenses, and an anti-reflective coating for $200.
  • Blue Light Protective Eyewear. We sell eyewear designed to help protect your eyes from artificial blue light from computers, smartphones, and other screens. We also offer a blue light-blocking, no-glare coating that can be added to any pair of eyeglass lenses.

Frame Repairs

Have a pair of glasses in need of repair? We're here to help. Our team will gladly assess your frames and do our best to fix them if possible. While we take every precaution during repairs, please understand that we cannot be held responsible if a frame breaks during the process. Stop by the clinic and let us take a look—no appointment needed!

You can bring your frame, even if you did not buy it with us!

Over the counter products

We carry a variety of eye care products, including:

  • Lubricating Eye Drops
  • Contact Lens Solutions
  • Dry Eye Masks
  • Eyeglass Cases
  • Non-Prescription Sunglasses
  • Pataday- Allergy Relief Eye Drops
  • Blink- Rewetting Drops for Contact Lenses
  • Warm and cold compress eye masks

Considering LASIK surgery? Our experienced optometrists are here to guide you every step of the way—before and after your procedure. We take the time to answer all your questions and help you make an informed decision about your vision correction options.

Pre-Operative Evaluation

Before undergoing LASIK, a comprehensive eye exam is essential to determine if you're a suitable candidate. Our optometrists will:

  • Assess your overall eye health and corneal thickness
  • Measure your refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism)
  • Discuss your lifestyle and visual goals
  • Coordinate with your LASIK surgeon to ensure a seamless referral and surgical plan

Post-Operative Management

After your LASIK procedure, proper follow-up care is crucial for optimal healing and long-term results. Our team provides:

  • Scheduled post-op visits to monitor healing and visual outcomes
  • Management of temporary side effects like dryness or glare
  • Prompt attention to any complications or concerns
  • Ongoing vision assessments to ensure lasting clarity

Interested in donating an old pair of frames?

Check out our Frame Donation Program. 


Frequently Asked Questions

What eyewear brands do you carry?

Our inventory changes often to provide both current and classic styles. We  carry many popular brands like:

  • Burberry 
  • Tommy Hilfiger
  • Oakley 
  • Prada 
  • Ray-Ban  
  • Tom Ford 
  • TOMS Eyewear 
  • Valdo
  • and many more!
What accessories do you sell?

We carry a variety of eye care products, including:

  • Lubricating Eye Drops 
  • Contact Lens Solutions 
  • Dry Eye Masks 
  • Eyeglass Cases 
  • Eyeglass Len Cleaner 
  • Non-Prescription Sunglasses
  • Pataday Allergy Eye Drops
  • Blink Rewetting Drops for Contact Lenses
How does billing work?

As a specialty clinic, our billing and costs sometimes differ from the Medical Clinic. There’s a charge for office visits and we collect payment at the time of your visit. 

If you have an insurance plan with vision benefits, we can bill your insurance. We can help you find out what your individual coverage and costs will be and assist you with any necessary paperwork. Contact the billing department for details

For medical services and retail purchases, we accept Visa, MasterCard, check, cash or ApplePay. 

What if I have an after-hours eye emergency?

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Will I have my eyes dialated?

Dilation is an important part of a complete eye exam. Although not every appointment requires dilation, it is best to be prepared that you may need to have your eyes dilated at your appointment. The dilation will make reading things up close difficult and make lights brighter than usual.  This will last for 4-6 hours, although it can last longer in some people.

Most people will be able to drive short distances once their eyes are dilated as long as they have sunglasses (which we can provide if you don’t have any). However, if you feel uncomfortable driving, or have never driven with your eyes dilated, it may be best to have a driver. 

I'm not sure if I need vision correction. What should I do?

Contact the Vision Clinic at 509-335-0360 or cougarhealth.visionclinic@wsu.edu and we will help you schedule an appointment.