Your first appointment

Your first comprehensive consultation with us will take approximately 45 minutes. We ask that you bring any current spectacles with you, as well as the names and dosage of any prescription medication you are taking.

At this consultation, you will be asked about your medical history and any vision problems you may be experiencing or concerns you have. We spend the time to undertake a thorough assessment of your eye health, as well as check your visual acuity.

If required, or for most adults attending their first appointment with us, you will have drops put into your eyes to dilate your pupils (make them larger) so that the back of your eyes can be assessed. Your eyes will be sensitive to light for a short time after while the drops wear off, so it’s helpful to have a pair of sunglasses to wear on the way home to reduce the glare. You may want to consider having someone else drive.

At the end of your examination, we will discuss the results with you, including an assessment of your vision and eye health and our recommendations for preventative or corrective care. We will let you know if further testing and/or a review appointment is required.

How often do I need to have my eyes checked?

While the recommendation is for most people to have a routine eye check every few years, you may be asked to return earlier if you have a condition that needs to be monitored. Sometimes it may be necessary to have some extra tests done, which are performed at a follow-up appointment.

Do I need a referral?

No, you do not need a referral to see an optometrist. However, your doctor may refer you to us for further assessment and/or treatment. In this case, we will send a report to your doctor outlining our findings and treatment plan.