If you live on the east side of the city, finding an eye doctor often means settling for whatever clinic sits closest to the Tunnel Road corridor. Asheville Vision and Wellness offers something different: a practice that has served Western North Carolina families since 1989, staffed by optometrists who take the time to explain what they see and why it matters.
Our office sits at 559 Long Shoals Road in Arden, an easy interstate drive from Oakley, Swannanoa, and the surrounding communities. Patients tell us the drive is worth it for the technology, the unhurried appointments, and the sense that someone is actually paying attention to their long-term eye health.
Eye Care Worth the Drive from the East Side
Most patients traveling from the eastern neighborhoods reach us in about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on where you start and how the interstate is moving. We are located just off I-26 at Exit 37, with plenty of parking and a single-level building that is easy to navigate.
Getting Here
- From Swannanoa, take I-40 West to I-26 East, then Exit 37 for Long Shoals Road
- From Oakley and the Tunnel Road area, follow I-240 to I-26 East and use the same exit
- Ample on-site parking with no garage fees or downtown congestion
- Full directions and a map are available on our contact page
If you are dealing with an urgent issue such as an eye injury, sudden vision change, or a foreign body, call ahead at (828) 747-9260 so we can prepare for your arrival.
A Practice Rooted in Western North Carolina
Asheville Vision and Wellness has cared for local families for more than three decades. Our doctors are certified in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of many ocular diseases, and each examination is customized to your specific needs rather than run through a standard checklist.
Patients have responded to that approach. The practice holds a 4.8-star average across more than 950 reviews, with the large majority rating their experience five stars. You can read what patients have written on our testimonials page.
Meet the Doctors
- Dr. Sid Morse, O.D. has practiced in the area since 1989 and has provided eye care on mission trips across Africa, Europe, South America, and Central America
- Dr. Lisa M. Greene, O.D. joined the practice in 1996 and focuses on educating patients about how overall health shapes vision across a lifetime
- Dr. Adam Greene, O.D. grew up in the North Carolina mountains and brings a focus on compassionate care using current diagnostic technology
You can learn more about our doctors and support team on our staff page.
One more member of the team deserves mention. Gus, our therapy dog, greets patients at the door and has become a favorite with nervous first-timers and children alike.
Comprehensive Eye Exams for Every Stage of Life
A thorough eye exam does far more than update your prescription. It screens for conditions that develop quietly, often long before you notice a change in your vision.
What Your Exam May Include
Depending on your history and risk factors, your doctor may perform some or all of the following:
- Visual acuity and refraction testing to fine-tune your prescription
- Tonometry to measure internal eye pressure, a key glaucoma risk factor
- Slit lamp examination of the front and interior structures of the eye
- Visual field testing to check for blind spots in peripheral vision
- Color vision testing and cover testing for eye muscle coordination
- Contact lens evaluation if you wear or want to try contacts
These tests screen for macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, dry eye, corneal irritation, and more.
A Note About Children's Eye Exams
We see children beginning around age five and are happy to perform a basic examination when a child is able to participate. We are not a pediatric specialty practice, however, and we do not carry specialized equipment for complex pediatric cases. If your child needs advanced pediatric care or vision therapy, we will tell you honestly and help point you in the right direction.
Advanced Diagnostic Technology
Patients frequently tell us the equipment here is unlike anything they have experienced elsewhere in the region. Our vision technology allows us to catch problems years earlier than a standard screening would.
- Optomap Ultra-Widefield Retinal Imaging captures more than 80% of your retina in a single panoramic image
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) takes cross-sectional images of the retina using a scanning laser
- Macular Pigment Density Testing (MPOD) measures the protective pigment that helps guard against macular degeneration
- Rabin Cone Contrast Test (RCCT) detects subtle color vision changes caused by glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration
We also offer FAA-approved Rabin Cone Contrast Testing for pilots who need color vision certification. That test is $150 and is not covered by insurance.
Medical Eye Care and Ongoing Treatment
Our doctors provide medical testing and management for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes-related eye disease, and dry eye. We also treat infections, inflammation, allergies, and foreign bodies in the eye.
Dry Eye Relief
Dry eye is one of the most common complaints we hear, and mountain air combined with indoor heating tends to make it worse through the colder months. Our dry eye treatment options include prescription drops, punctal plugs, meibomian gland expression, and LipiFlow, a warming and massage treatment that clears blocked oil glands so your tear film stops evaporating too quickly.
Diabetes and Your Eyes
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among adults in the United States. People with diabetes are 40% more likely to develop glaucoma and 60% more likely to develop cataracts, often at a younger age. Our diabetic eye care monitors for these changes before they threaten your sight.
Help for Headaches and Digital Eye Strain
Roughly two out of three people experience symptoms of eye misalignment, including headaches, neck tension, eye fatigue, and motion sickness. Neurolens uses contoured prism technology to bring the eyes into alignment and reduce pressure on the trigeminal nerve. A short measurement test determines whether you are a candidate, and most people are, even those who do not currently wear glasses.
Eyewear, Contacts, and Our On-Site Lab
Our optical department handles simple and complex prescriptions, with frames ranging from classic to contemporary. Brands include Tom Ford, Ray-Ban, Maui Jim, Oakley, Kate Spade, Silhouette, and Lafont, plus Evil Eye sports glasses, which we carry exclusively in Western North Carolina.
- Eyeglasses finished in our in-house optical lab for accuracy
- Contact lenses including daily disposable, multifocal, toric, and monthly options
- Safety eyewear for work and recreation
We also host periodic trunk shows where frame vendors bring styles we do not normally stock. No appointment is needed.
Wellness Beyond Vision
The wellness half of our name is intentional. We offer eye-related nutritional counseling and stock supplements including MacuHealth, EyePromise Restore, and HydroEye. We also offer BrainTap brain fitness sessions in the office, which use a guided app and headset to support focus, sleep, and stress management.
Insurance and Scheduling
We accept a range of vision and medical insurance plans. Details are listed on our insurance page, and our staff will verify coverage before your visit so there are no surprises.
Ready to book? Schedule your appointment online at any hour, or call (828) 747-9260 during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is your office from the east side of the city?
Most patients reach us in about 20 to 30 minutes using I-40 and I-26 to Exit 37. Swannanoa residents typically take I-40 West, while those near Oakley and Tunnel Road connect through I-240.
How often should I have an eye exam?
Most adults benefit from an annual comprehensive exam. If you have diabetes, glaucoma, a family history of macular degeneration, or a changing prescription, your doctor may recommend more frequent visits.
Do you see children?
We see children starting around age five for basic examinations. We are not pediatric specialists and do not have equipment for advanced pediatric cases, so complex needs are better served by a dedicated pediatric practice.
Do you perform LASIK?
No. We provide LASIK evaluations and post-operative care. Surgical candidates are referred to Woolfson Eye Institute, whose team has performed more than 100,000 procedures.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring your current glasses or contact lens boxes, your insurance cards, a list of medications, and any relevant medical history, particularly a diabetes diagnosis or family history of eye disease.
Can I be seen quickly for an eye emergency?
Call (828) 747-9260 and let us know what is happening. We reserve time for urgent concerns such as injuries, sudden vision changes, and foreign bodies.
Schedule Your Visit
Good eye care should not require guesswork about what your doctor found or why a test was ordered. Our team walks you through every result, explains your options plainly, and builds a plan around your health rather than a template.
Whether you are due for a routine exam, struggling with dry eye, or noticing headaches after long days at a screen, we would like to help. Book your appointment online or reach us through our contact page.