FIRST VISIT

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR FIRST VISIT

Please Remember to bring

A current referral letter,
Medicare card,
Private Health Insurance card,
Pension or concession card (if applicable),
Veteran Affairs card (if applicable),
Prepare a list of medications for your first visit, and
Please bring your glasses if you wear them

Please complete your

New Patient Form

Online

New Patient Form

WHAT TO EXPECT

When you arrive, you will be asked to

Provide your referral letter and
Fill in a registration form (not applicable if already completed online)
Your Orthoptist will assess your vision, measure your eye pressures and take other measurements, prior to seeing your Ophthalmologist.

ABOUT A GENERAL EYE EXAMINATION

For more details click here: General Eye Examination

THINGS TO KNOW

Eye Drops

Your eyes will be dilated with eye drops, which takes at least 15 minutes to take effect. Once your pupils are fully dilated, you will be taken into our imaging room where various imaging technologies will be performed

Further Tests

If further tests are required or treatment needs to be started immediately, the doctor and staff will discuss this fully with you before proceeding. Please make sure you keep our contact details handy, such that you can report any further eye problems without delay.

How long Will The First Visit Take?

At Retina Associates, we value and respect your time but strive to not rush our consultations, giving you the time you deserve for a thorough eye examination and to address any questions you may have.

Your time with the doctor will vary depending on the problems requiring attention.

Please allow a minimum of two hours for your first visit, and bring sunglasses as the eye drops may make your eyes sensitive to the sun for a few hours

No Driving After Your First Visit?

As your eyes will be dilated for a complete eye examination, this will cause blurred vision for a few hours, so you should not drive yourself so either ensure you have a companion driver to take you home, we have ample parking outside or near the clinic, or plan for a public transport journey.

Payment

You will be informed of the costs associated with your appointments by our staff.

After the consultation, our secretary will settle your account with you and make further appointments, if necessary.

Payment of accounts is to be made on the day of your appointment. We accept money order, cheque, EFTPOS, cash, Visa and Mastercard.

We will give you written Informed Financial Consent for any surgical procedures which you require.

Possible Delays

Patients are seen according to their appointment times.

We are a tertiary referral retina clinic and regularly manage ocular emergencies (such as retinal detachment) which can delay our regular appointment schedule. We provide the best service we can to all our patients and sometimes need to prioritise additional cases according to urgency, so please be patient if there is a delay for your appointment.

We thank you in advance for your understanding and patience when such emergencies arise.