Eye Doctors on Nifong Blvd. in Columbia, MO
Missouri Eye Consultants is your home for local eye experts: the team you can trust in Columbia for anything your vision needs. We are proud to provide Columbia with excellent family eye care, from a trusted team of professionals that cares about you, your eyesight, and your comfort every step of the way.
Columbia (Nifong)
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 7:45 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 7:45 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:45 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 7:45 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 7:45AM – 4:00PM
- Saturday/Sunday: Closed
Dedicated Eye Doctors in Columbia
Jeff Gamble, O.D.
Chris DeRose, O.D., F.A.A.O.
Rob Bernskoeter, O.D.
Nathan Hesemann, M.D.
Melissa Liepins-Masek, O.D.
Eliot Masek, O.D.
Maggie Cardonell, MD.
Jill Radkowiec, O.D.
Columbia (Nifong) Eye Care Services
At our Columbia eye care center, we’re here to make incredible care accessible to the community, with all the eye care services you need for great vision. You can trust our years of experience and personal care to keep your eyes healthy and seeing great!
Proudly Serving Columbia (Nifong), MO
We’ve always put our patients first throughout our more than 50-year history, and we’re proud to continue to serve Columbia and its surrounding areas, including Jefferson City, Shelbina, Monroe City, Hannibal, Fulton, Hermann, Centralia, Linn, and Eldon.
No matter if you’re enjoying an afternoon in Cosmo-Bethel Park or hiking on MKT Trail, Missouri Eye Consultants is here to help you see it all with crystal-clear vision!
Proudly Accepting a Range of Health Insurance Plans
To keep your eyes safe and heathy, we take several health insurance plans that often have the benefit of only requiring patients to pay a deductible. While plans can vary, health insurance can cover medical-related eye care, including some services related to eye diseases, surgeries, injuries, and other issues.
We Accept a Wide Variety of Vision Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take my insurance?
Yes! Missouri Eye Consultants accepts a wide variety of vision and health insurance plans. We believe everyone deserves exceptional eye care, so we work with many insurance providers to maximize your convenience and savings.
We accept popular vision plans including:
- VSP
- EyeMed
- NVA (National Vision Administrators)
- Vision Care Direct
We also accept many major medical insurance plans, such as:
- United Health Care
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
- Medicare
- Cigna
- Essence Healthcare
- Healthlink
Location-specific vision insurance:
- Moberly: Also accepts Avesis
- Fulton: Also accepts Vision Benefits of America
- Ashland: Also accepts Spectera
- California: Also accepts Spectera, March Vision, and Envolve
If you don’t see your insurance plan listed, just call us at (573) 874-2030 and we’ll be happy to check if we’re in-network for your specific plan.
No insurance? Don’t worry we offer flexible payment options including HSA, FSA, and CareCredit financing at all of our locations.
Will my eyes be dilated?
We also take widefield retinal photos (Optos) on every patient. These detailed images are invaluable for tracking changes year to year, but they aren’t a replacement for dilation when a closer, more thorough view is needed.
When should I bring my child in for an eye exam?
We recommend:
- The first eye exam between 6–12 months old
- The next at age 3
- Again before starting kindergarten
Once your child is in school, they should have yearly checkups to ensure their vision stays healthy as they grow and learn.
If your child wears glasses, has a medical condition like diabetes, or you notice any changes in their vision or behavior, more frequent exams may be needed.
All of our doctors see kids, but Dr. Liepins-Masek (Keene), Dr. Byrd (Ashland and California), and Dr. Masek (Fulton and Keene) especially enjoy working with children—ask our team if you’d like a recommendation!
When's the soonest I can get in for an appointment?
* If you’re experiencing a new or urgent problem (new floaters, loss of vision, pink eye, etc.) call the office directly so we can get you in sooner – these problems shouldn’t wait! This online scheduler is intended for your regular, comprehensive exam only
You can check our online scheduler for real-time availability. Some locations and doctors book out further than others, so try a few different locations for the earliest openings.
If you’re experiencing a new or urgent problem like sudden floaters, vision loss, or pink eye please call the office directly so we can get you in as soon as possible. These problems shouldn’t wait! The online scheduler is intended for regular, comprehensive exams only.
Why did you bill my medical insurance for my exam?
We billed your medical insurance because your exam involved a medical issue, such as dry eye, cataracts, diabetes, or other eye health concerns. Unlike many other specialties, optometry can bill either vision or medical insurance, depending on the reason for your visit.
Can you e-mail me a copy of my contact lens/eyeglass Rx/receipt/visit notes?
Yes! The easiest way to request your records is to send us a message through the Contact Us form on our website. Let us know exactly what you need, and we’ll email it to you.
How much is a self-pay exam?
What is a contact lens consult charge?
A contact lens consult covers the part of your exam focused specifically on contact lens wear. It includes:
- Evaluating the health of your eyes to ensure they’re safe for contact lenses
- Checking the fit of your lenses
- Providing trial lenses if you’re switching brands
- Short-term follow-up visits to make sure your new lenses are working well for you
Driving Directions
Our address is 900 W Nifong Blvd Suite 125, Columbia, MO 65203.
From the north, take U.S. Hwy 63 heading south to the Grindstone Pkwy/New Haven Road E exit. Immediately after the exit, pass Courtyard by Marriott Columbia on your left, then turn right onto Grindstone Pkwy. In 0.3 miles, pass Scooter’s Coffee on your right, then continue 1.5 miles until Grindstone Pkwy turns into Nifong Blvd. Stay on Nifong Blvd for 1.4 miles, then turn left into our driveway. After turning left, make another right in about 200 feet, and we’ll be on your left.
From the south, take U.S. Hwy 63 heading north to the New Haven Road exit. In 0.2 miles, turn left onto Grindstone Pkwy. In 0.3 miles, pass La Crosse Lumber Co. on your left, then in 0.6 miles pass Rock Quarry Park on your left. Continue on Grindstone Pkwy for 1 mile more, then the road becomes E Nifong Blvd. Stay on E Nifong Blvd for 0.6 miles, then stay straight to continue onto W Nifong Blvd. Turn left into the driveway in a final 0.8 miles, then immediately turn right; we’ll be on your left.
