Retina Specialists
Dedicated to Making a Difference


What to expect as a patient

For your first visit, to help save you time, consider downloading our patient form from this website. We also recommend that you bring someone to drive you home after your first visit as your eyes will be dilated.

When you arrive at the office for your appointment, you will be checked in by the receptionist and your current information will be gathered. Due to the complexity of a retinal evaluation, we encourage you to plan to be in our office for a few hours - especially for your first visit.

We will strive to evaluate, test, diagnose, and sometimes also treat you all on the same day. This explains why some visits may be lengthier than others.

We are committed to providing you with the highest level of patient care.

Popular information

  • Your eyes will be dilated during your examination
  • We accept most insurance plans including Medicare and AHCCCS
  • We offer self-pay arrangement plans
  • When possible, we perform same-day treatment
  • You will always see a physician during your visit
  • We offer same-day appointments for emergencies everyday

Common questions and answers

Additional Questions

1Can I have an exam without being dilated?

To allow the physician to examine your eye, the pupil must be dilated during your visit.

Without having yours eyes dilated, unfortunately there is no method in which the physician can provide proper care for your eyes. You can expect dilation to last anywhere from 5-6 hours. Disposable sunglasses will be provided at checkout.

2Do you treat age-related macular degeneration?

We manage and treat retinal conditions in our office including age-related macular degeneration.

ARMD (for short) is a growing concern for adults over 55 years of age and can cause central visual distortion and in severe cases absence of central vision. Our expert team is dedicated to preserving your vision by offering the latest in medical technology.

3I was struck in the eye and I am now seeing flashes of light and dark spots...

Flashes of light, floaters (dark spots), a curtain or shadow over your vision, or vision loss could be signs of a retinal detachment.

Regardless of your activities prior to the onset of symptoms, your symptoms should be evaluated no later than 24 hours from the onset. It is highly recommend that you call our office to schedule an appointment. We see emergency appointments everyday of the week.

4Why am I unable to get a new pair of glasses to fix my vision?

Unfortunately, glasses cannot improve damage to your vision due to a retinal disease. To make sense of this, consider a digital camera. If you purchase the most expensive lens possible for the camera, however the inside of the camera received water damage and no longer functions properly, that expensive lens will not help make the camera work again. This is a similar situation in regards to the retina. The retina is a sensitive neuro-tissue which is responsible for relaying visual images to the brain. Damage to the tissue can lead to permanent vision loss. Our office is equipped and prepared to fight for you to save your vision as much as possible.

5Do I need to bring someone with me to my appointment?

For new patients or patients that are scheduled for treatment, we recommend that you bring another person with you for your appointment.

At your first appointment, we will perform a thorough evaluation and answer all of your questions. Sometimes, depending on the complexity of the disease, you may receive a lot of information that may feel overwhelming. Having a second set of ears is always beneficial during this time to help you fully understand your disease and treatment options.

If you are scheduled for a treatment, your vision afterwards may be more blurry than after a general examination. We always recommend having a second person available to drive you home after your procedure.

If your question was not answered here, feel free to call us at (602) 232-6066.