---
A Guide to Your Vision Care Experience with Dr. Folkers
Dr. Folkers is committed to providing each patient with a quality, personalized experience. His new format allows for deeper focus and individualized visual optimization—something no other venue or provider currently offers.
---
What to Expect with Dr. Dave
Dr. Folkers will help with all things VISION:
• Optimize your eye measurements using THE SILICON VALLEY REFRACTION™, a proprietary method that goes far beyond traditional refraction.
• Demonstrate, educate, and help you decide on the best options and strategies for your visual needs.
• Tailor prescriptions and coach you on how and when to use them.
• Carefully work through your daily tasks, hobbies, and challenges to address your individual visual demands.
• Advocate, train, prepare, and refer for eye surgeries and procedures—both pre- and post-op—to ensure confident decision-making and the best possible outcomes.
---
Why This Is Necessary
Current refraction is based on principles introduced in the late 1940s—long before computers and personal devices began hijacking our eyes. That system is outdated and inadequate.
• The “jack-of-all-trades” problem: Modern eye care tries to do everything in one brief visit, becoming more task-heavy and time-constrained each year.
• Systemic pressures: HMO, retail, large group, and private equity models employ doctors as associates in large group settings. The private, doctor-owned office is under tremendous pressure and may be in its last generation.
• Insurance demands: Comprehensive exams must check countless medical-legal boxes. Insurance panels impose extensive requirements but offer stagnant reimbursement. Doctors are forced to do everything in a short period just to keep practices financially viable.
• The consequence: By the time all the boxes are checked, only 2–5 minutes remain for vision measurement and coaching. This portion—critical to your comfort and performance—has no mandated requirements, so it gets minimized. Patients deserve more, not less.
For doctors to truly get to know their patients, understand their lives, anticipate future needs, educate, demonstrate options, and strive for visual excellence—this simply doesn’t fit into a rushed 2–5 minute slot with whichever associate you happen to see.
The problem isn’t the doctors—it’s the system. Great doctors need a great venue. Without it, both patients and doctors suffer.
---
Dr. Folkers’ Answer
• Create a separate, precision VISION exam—adding the quality, optimization, and doctoring that no longer exists in the current system.
• Continue using the insurance-based system for regulated eye health exams.
His model, built on THE SILICON VALLEY REFRACTION™, is a pilot program for restoring visual excellence to eye care. It’s designed as an accessible, affordable supplement that lets patients still use their benefits for eye health, while reclaiming the missing piece: vision optimization.
If the current system continues trending downward, this may become the new model—mandatory to meet patient needs and deliver the excellence they deserve.
---
Frequently Asked Questions
---
Does Dr. Folkers accept insurance?
No.
---
Will Dr. Dave be my only eye doctor?
No. You’ll still need a separate provider for comprehensive eye health exams. Dr. Folkers focuses exclusively on visual performance and optimization.
---
Can I still use my vision insurance benefits?
Yes—at another office, for:
• Comprehensive eye health exams
• Glasses and contact lens purchases
---
Can I use HSA or FSA funds?
Yes, absolutely.
---
What is THE SILICON VALLEY REFRACTION™?
A proprietary, in-depth process that redefines prescriptions:
• Allows for the necessary time commitment during the exam
• Detailed coaching and education
• Demonstration and adaptation timelines
• Focus on long-term comfort, clarity, and performance
Patients report dramatic improvements—like reduced headaches and all-day comfort—that simply aren’t possible in rushed, insurance-based settings.
---
Will my eye health doctor also provide a prescription?
Yes. Most exams include a basic prescription. But THE SILICON VALLEY REFRACTION™ offers a deeper, more personalized approach. Bringing Dr. Folkers’ prescription(s) to your doctor reflects collaboration, not conflict.
---
What should I do in an emergency?
• Traumatic injuries/urgent issues: Call 911
• Serious but non-emergent concerns: Contact your medical insurance provider’s ophthalmology department
• General/minor concerns: Reach out to your comprehensive eye health provider
---
Does Dr. Folkers see children?
No. Patients must be 18 or older.
---
Can I purchase contact lenses here?
No.
---
Can I purchase glasses here?
Yes. High-quality eyewear with trusted:
Progressive lens designs
Anti-reflective coatings
Photochromic tints
Precision measurements
All available on a private-pay basis.
---
Is this a concierge or boutique practice?
No. While 100% private-pay, we avoid high membership fees or hidden charges. Services remain fair, affordable, and accessible.
---
The New Care Model
1. Begin with Dr. Folkers here at THE REFRACTIONIST OPTOMETRY for a comprehensive vision evaluation; while here we will plan, create then demonstrate your optimized prescription(s). Order glasses here if desired.
2. Schedule a comprehensive eye health exam at another office with the provider of your choice.
3. Bring Dr. Folkers’ prescription to your provider and use insurance benefits for exams, contact lenses and eyewear.
---
Referrals
• Comprehensive eye health exams: No referrals provided. Explore local offices, ask friends, and research to find a good fit.
• Surgical referrals: Yes, for refractive and cataract surgery (pre- and post-op).
---
Visit Frequency
Once established with Dr. Folkers, beyond regular visits, see us if:
• Your vision changes or concerns arise
• You need new glasses/contacts and want a personalized prescription strategy
• You’re considering or recovering from refractive or cataract surgery
---
Service Levels & Costs
• Level 1 ($275): Glasses wearers, or those without prior prescriptions, or pre/post cataract surgery
• Level 2 ($400): Contact lens wearers (must wear lenses to appointment)
• Level 3 ($600): Full pre-op evaluation for laser refractive surgery (includes dilation, coaching, measurements, referral)
You can utilize your FSA, and HSA funds for services and eyewear
---
Contact Lens Optimized Prescription Management
Preferred: Wear current lenses to the appointment. Dr. Folkers will perform an over-refraction and provide optimized prescription advice (Level 2).
Less Preferred: Bring your current prescription. Guidance will be based on spectacle measurements and lens data and provide optimized prescription advice (Level 1).
New contact lens fittings and continued fit and health assessments will occur with your comprehensive eye health doctor at their office
---
Practice Identity
THE REFRACTIONIST OPTOMETRY reflects our mission: visual excellence and personalized care.
Legacy name: Sunnyvale Optometric Center (DBA April 1976 – December 2025) remains valid and may still appear on some documents and communications.
---
New Patients
Yes, Dr. Folkers is accepting new patients—especially those:
• Seeking better visual comfort and performance
• Struggling with headaches or visual discomfort
• Needing tailored solutions for lifestyle, work, or passions
• Desperate for a victory with their vision; we want to help!
We also collaborate with neurology, occupational therapy, ergonomics, and other fields to support visual wellness.
---
YouTube Channel
Yes—coming soon. Expect insights for patients, parents, students, and professionals interested in vision care.