FAQs
We’ve answered the most common questions asked by our patients.
If you still have a question that we haven’t answered here, feel free to reach out to us
using the phone number at the bottom of this page or our contact us form.
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Oculofacial surgery (aka Oculoplastic Surgery) is a subspeciality of Ophthalmology. After a 3-year residency in ophthalmology, oculofacial surgeons do another 2-year fellowship to learn plastic surgery of the face. We deal with all types of eyelid problems, tearing problems, facial trauma, eye socket problems as well as other issues of the face. We do not do cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, retinal surgery or glasses and contacts.
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Dr. Pelton graduated from Hendrix College with honors as a chemistry major. He then spent a year in Austria on a Fulbright Fellowship studying Medical Biochemistry before moving to Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. After 2 years of medical school at Vanderbilt, Dr. Pelton took a leave of absence for 4 years to get a Ph.D. in Cell Biology. He then went back to finish medical school and then started a residency in Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. He then took a 2-year fellowship in Oculofacial Surgery in Salt Lake City before moving to Colorado Springs. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is also certified by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASOPRS) as well as the American College of Surgeons (FACS). See his full C.V. here (link).
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Dr. Caroline Yu is a board-certified ophthalmologist with subspecialty training in oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery through an ASOPRS fellowship at Mayo Clinic. She earned her undergraduate degree with honors from Caltech, her medical degree from Stanford, and completed her residency at the University of Iowa. A participant in a face transplant surgery, she has authored over 27 publications, served on the EyeRounds editorial board, and received honors including the W.M. Keck Foundation Medical Scholarship and the Knights Templar Eye Foundation Travel Grant.
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Our practice is limited to Oculofacial Surgery. They do all types of eyelid surgery, eye socket surgery, lacrimal system surgery, facial fracture surgery as well as other facial procedures. They do NOT do general ophthalmology procedures such as glasses, contacts, cataract surgery, refractive surgery, glaucoma surgery or retinal surgery.
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We accept most insurances including Medicare Advantage Plans. We are out of network with Humana PPO plans, but call us! You may have out-of-network benefits that we can use.
We do not accept:
VA insurance
Select Health Medicare Plans
Rocky Mountain Health Plans
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For most insurances and minor issues, we do not require a referral, although notes from your previous providers can help.
We do require a referral for the following:
United Healthcare HMO Medicare Advantage Plans- starting in 2026 we do need a referral from your primary care provider, not just an eye doctor.
Tricare Prime requires an authorization from your PCM.
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Yes they do, upper and lower blepharoplasties. Cosmetic consultations with our doctors are free and they will give you pricing at the appointment. We cannot give you an estimate on what that may be, as every patient is unique. Please call the office and we would be happy to get you scheduled.
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After checking in and filling out the “new patient” forms at the front desk, a nurse will escort you to an exam room and start collecting your history and checking your vision. After she finishes, one of our doctors will come in and perform a more comprehensive examination of your problem. If you need a surgical procedure, we’ll start the paperwork to make that happen. The scheduler will discuss times and dates that work best for you. In most cases, we can do a minor procedure that same day. Expect to be here for about an hour for your first appointment.
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If you have insurance, please bring your insurance card, so that we can find out your level of benefits. If you have any CT scans or lab tests, please bring those. If you use reading glasses, please bring those with you. Also, if you received our new patient packet beforehand, please bring any completed paperwork that you have filled out. If not, don’t worry. You can fill out all the necessary paperwork when you get here. Please make sure you have your medication list if you need to fill out the paperwork in office, we can make a copy if that’s easier.
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Quality care takes time. Delivery of health care is an inherently difficult thing to schedule. Patients often book appointments for “small” problems that turn out to be much more complex and complicated than they thought; other doctors and emergency rooms refer patients that need immediate attention; some patients have a long list of questions that they need answered, etc. Our doctors take pride in trying to give each patient the time that they need to get their problem addressed. We apologize for any longer-than-expected wait but please know that when it is your turn, our doctors will spend as much time with you as you need to get your problem addressed. Most new patient visits require you to be in the office for 1-2 hours depending on the issue.
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This will be part of your new patient visit. Even if another provider has referred you for eyelid surgery, our doctors will do their own exam and measurements to make sure everything meets insurance guidelines. If surgery isn’t considered medically necessary, they’ll review cosmetic options and pricing with you. Your first visit is still billed to insurance, since it’s a medical consultation and different from a free cosmetic consult.
