Your First Appointment

Departments Wards Charities

Please use the links below for detailed information:

What to bring with you to your First Appointment

Your appointment letter. Any other information you may feel is relevant to your eye health
Any glasses you may have (even if not regularly used) and any previous prescriptions for glasses. If you wear contact lenses, please bring them and any solutions and cases with you as well.
A list of all medicines or eye drops you currently take including any vitamins, or complementary therapies/supplements and Repeat prescription list (if any).
A list of previous medications and eye drops taken if available.
Any specific questions you may have for the doctor. (You may want to write these down).
Any family history of eye disease.

What to expect on Arrival at the clinic

Please hand your appointment letter to the receptionist, who will direct you to the waiting area. Please note the following:

The length of an appointment can vary so please make sure you have time to wait in case of delays. At your appointment you may have several tests carried out during this visit.
If surgery is part of your treatment plan, your appointment may include an assessment.
You may see several individuals in one appointment. The clinician may have to consult with others.
You may have a friend or relative present when you see them.
You may have dilating drops inserted which will take some time to work and longer to wear off.
Multiple clinics may run at the same time and may have different timings.
Some patients who are arriving later in the session maybe returning for the second part of their visit to their clinician having been sent for further tests earlier.
If you need further appointments, you will be informed.

What questions may I be asked?

When you initially see the clinic staff you will be asked your medical details:

Your current complaint 鈥� you may wish to think about it before your visit.
Current medical history.
Previous history of allergies, illnesses and operations.
Current and Previous Medication including eye drops.
Any Eye diseases in your family e.g. glaucoma. It is worth investigating this prior to your appointment.
Whether you smoke, drink or take recreational drugs.
It may be rarely be necessary to ask more personal questions.

The Eye Examination

The eye examinations vary depending on the patient's depending on the referral. Not every part of the eye exam may be needed or performed during your first or subsequent visit. The eye examination may include聽 vision testing, additional tests may be carried out before, after or during your consultation, examination of the anterior eye and lids, areas around the eye, eye muscle examination, visual field examination, examination on various machines, measurement of your eye pressure and examination of the back of the eye (this may affect your driving ability). The whole process can take 90 minutes or longer. Subsequent examinations may not need to be as detailed.

Will I have a definite diagnosis made at this visit?

It is often not possible to give a definite diagnosis at the first visit as quite a few conditions need repeat measurements or monitoring to come to a definite diagnosis e.g. Glaucoma.

Will I have treatment on the day of my appointment?

We rarely operate on the same day unless it is an emergency. You may be offered Laser on the day of your appointment in some circumstances. If a diagnosis is made you will be given drops if appropriate.

What if I need a second opinion?

If your clinician feels you need another opinion they will organize it. You have a right to a second opinion. If you feel this is necessary, please ask the clinician in charge of your care or your GP.

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