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When it is time to see a Santa Ana retina doctor you may not know what to expect on your first office visit. For many people seeing a retina doctor is a new experience and that can leave you feeling a little anxious about what to expect. It is the goal here at Retina Associates of Orange County to provide you with the utmost care when you visit our office.
We want you to be able to come into our office and not be worried about what is to come. That is why we’ve put together some information to help you know what to expect when you step into our office for the first time.
Every appointment is going to be unique to you, however, there are basic things that happen during every appointment. If you are seeing a retina doctor for the first time then here is a list of what you can expect to happen.
Your very first appointment will include a comprehensive eye evaluation. This is going to include a detailed examination of your vitreous and retina. Your appointment can last for a long time, meaning you should make your appointment and not have much to do the rest of the day. It is also why we recommend that you bring someone with you to drive you home, as most appointments will have your eyes dilated.
A technician will perform the initial portion of the diagnostic testing. This means that they are going to review your medical history and collect any additional information that is important for the doctor to know. They will then check your intraocular pressure which is a routine test for glaucoma. After that, they will administer the eye drops to dilate your pupils. It takes about 30 minutes for the eye drops to work so you will be asked to wait in the waiting room till your eyes are ready.
Once your eyes are ready the doctor will examine the front portion of your eye. With a microscopic device called a slit lamp. Once this is done your doctor will go on to examine your retina. During this, your doctor will be describing in detail what they are seeing. All the information you get will be written down so you don’t have to remember it all. This part of the appointment can take a long time, and you are going to be asked plenty of questions. It is also here where you can ask your doctor questions about what they found and what the treatment options could be.
Once this is done the doctor will provide you with any medication that may be needed. The technical will review the medication with you and help you administer it so you know how it works. After that, you may need to have different follow-ups or other tests that your doctor will have talked about.
If you have more questions about your first visit to a retina doctor then don’t hesitate to reach out to the Retina Associates of Orange County for more information.
We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, expert care to patients facing sight-threatening retinal conditions.