What To Expect
At Associated Retina Consultants, we are dedicated to the preservation and the restoration of vision through accurate diagnosis and leading edge treatment of retinal diseases and visual defects. Our goal is to provide superior care throughout the entire patient continuum. To maximize your understanding and comfort during your office visit, we ask that you review the registration and exam process below.
- Paperwork- Patient Intake
- Insurance & Payments
- Retinal Exam
- Initial Assessment & Pupil Dilation
- Phreesia link/pads will be sent to you 3 days prior
Paperwork
Upon arrival, please complete the detailed questionnaire about your medical history and demographics. For your convenience, you may print out the forms and complete them prior to your visit. Please remember to note the names of any medications that you are currently taking, as well as the name, address and phone number of all physicians involved in your care.
Insurance & Payments
For your visit, please bring your insurance card(s), co-payment and obtain any necessary prior authorizations through your insurer. Our physicians accept over 70 different health plans. Our office accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, personal checks and cash.
Retinal Exam
A retinal examination in Arizona takes longer than most medical or general eye examinations; you can expect to be in our office for of 2-3 hours.
Initial Assessment & Pupil Dilation
Please bring your glasses and/or contact lenses with you so your vision can be measured with them in place. The technician will obtain the history of your problem and apply anesthetic drops so that the pressure within your eyes can be measured. This is a painless test for glaucoma. A second set of drops will be given to dilate (widen) your pupils. Dilation is necessary for a complete examination of the inside of your eyes. It will take up to 30 minutes for your pupils to fully dilate.
Since your pupils may remain dilated for a full day after your visit, we recommend that you bring sunglasses to reduce your sensitivity to light. Your ability to read will be temporarily decreased. Although distance vision is usually undisturbed, ARC recommendation is to have a driver if you travel by car.