What to Expect

Not sure what to expect during your first appointment? Here's how it typically works: 

1. You will be given a medical history form for yourself or your child to be filled out yearly. Please fill it out as completely as possible.
2. You will be called back to the exam room to begin your exam. The exam will start with a review of your or your child's medical history and some questions about your specific concerns.
3. Vision will be checked. Older children will read the typical vision chart on our special computerized screen, while younger children may match letters on the computer. Children under three years of age are evaluated by determining if they are favoring either eye (fixation preference).
4. The exam is usually light-hearted, and we'll do our best to make you or your child comfortable and at ease with the process. Routinely, the following are evaluated:
   • Vision
   • Motility (how the eyes move as a team)
   • Muscle Balance (how the eyes work together)
   • Stereo-acuity (depth perception)
   • Color vision screening
   • Pupil evaluation
   • External evaluation of the ocular surface, lids and lashes
   • Eye pressure if age allows
5.  After the initial exam, we'll usually instill 3 sets of eye drops. The first may sting like pool water, but the child doesn’t feel the last two because their eyes are numb. You and/or your child will then be asked to go back to the playroom to dilate (can take 30 minutes). The patient will notice that their near vision will get blurry.
6. The drops may last for 6-8 hours. Don’t worry if they are still dilated the next morning.
7. After an appropriate amount of dilation time, you and/or your child will be called back to the exam room for the following diagnostic tests:
   • REFRACTION – Your doctor will use a special light (retinoscope) and different lenses to determine if your child needs glasses. They are able to make this determination even if the patient is unable to communicate.
   • OPHTHALMOSCOPY – A different light that is placed on the examining doctor’s head is then used to evaluate the internal structures of the eyes.
8. Based on these exams, the doctor can make the appropriate decision on how best to treat your or your child's unique condition. There will be an in-depth discussion about the condition and treatment options. All questions will be answered.
9. If glasses are required, a prescription will be given at the end of the exam. If the patient requests contacts, a contact lens fit may need to be scheduled. 
10. A special treat will be given to your child, and you will be directed to the checkout area to make any follow-up appointments.