Mercy has announced that it will close its adult optometry clinics in the Springfield area on April 3, 2026. This closure affects the clinics at 1229 East Seminole St. (Suite 110), inside the Smith Glynn Center, and in Nixa. In addition, Mercy will discontinue its glaucoma care services in Springfield after that date.

Patients currently receiving ongoing treatment—including those with scheduled procedures—will need to find new providers for follow-up care. It’s important to note that Mercy’s ophthalmology services and pediatric optometry clinics will remain open. (ky3.com)

To help navigate this transition, it’s useful to understand the differences between the main types of eye care professionals you might encounter.

Eye Care Professionals: Who Does What?

When planning for your eye care needs, it helps to know which provider to see for different types of services. Here’s a quick breakdown

Ophthalmologist

• Medical Doctor (MD or DO) with extensive medical training.
• Provides comprehensive eye care, including medical treatment and surgery for serious eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, retina disorders, and more.
• Often the provider you would see for complex ocular concerns or surgical procedures.

Optometrist

• Holds a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree—specialized training in eye care but not a medical doctor.
• Offers routine eye exams, vision testing, prescription glasses or contacts, and can diagnose and manage many common eye conditions.
• Often the first point of contact for general vision care and may refer to an ophthalmologist if specialized treatment or surgery is needed.

Optician

• A technical specialist, not a doctor, trained to fit eyeglasses and contact lenses based on prescriptions from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
• Does not conduct eye exams or diagnose conditions, but plays an important role in ensuring eyewear fits correctly and meets prescription needs.

For more detail on how these roles differ, see VSP’s explanation of who to see for what type of eye care.

 What This Means for You

As Mercy’s adult optometry clinics close, patients who had been receiving routine eye exams or vision care from optometrists will want to identify new providers in the community.

• Employees enrolled in the MSU vision plan will want to locate VSP providers to ensure continued coverage for exams, glasses, and contacts.
• Patients currently being treated for medical conditions of the eye or other diseases (excluding glaucoma) requiring medical or surgical care should confirm whether they are under the care of an ophthalmologist and ensure continuity with another provider.

Reminder: Mercy’s ophthalmology services and pediatric optometry clinics remain open, so children’s vision care and specialized medical eye care will continue to be available in Springfield.