General Information
Do I need to arrive early for my first or annual appointments at AO?
No. As we continue to face the challenge of the pandemic of coronavirus, we are requiring all patients, and necessary visitors, to wear a face mask that covers the nose and mouth from nose bridge to neck and continue to keep the physical distance of 6 feet or more between yourself and others. In order to reduce crowding in the waiting room, please plan on arriving within 5-10 minutes for your appointment. As there will be patient verification and paperwork, we advise that you complete and update your information prior to coming in for your visit by downloading the forms here and bring them in with you to your appointment or send them to us by email ahead of time.
How long will I be there?
We need time to get to know you and your eyes. Your office visit length varies by appointment type, doctor and day, but generally, for a primary or annual visit, plan on allowing more than an hour for your appointment. If you have a special problem or have been referred for consultation, additional time may be required to carry out certain tests and procedures as well as in-depth conversations with your doctor.
Do I need to bring my ID and insurance card to every appointment?
Yes, please bring a copy of your current insurance card and any pertinent medical information, including a list of your medications, to each and every appointment. General information will be verified and a copy taken of your photo ID and your current insurance card. This process is required even if you are scheduled for a Routine or Vision examination, as we will need to verify eligibility with your insurance company.
What else do I need to bring to the appointment?
Please bring all your current eye drops, eye ointments, glasses and/or contact lens information to each appointment. If you are currently taking medications for other issues, please provide a list of all medications. We also recommend bringing a pair of sunglasses to your first/annual visit to help with the light when you leave the office with dilated eyes.
Should I plan on having a driver?
You will be dilated as part of your exam, so if you drive in for your appointment, we recommend having someone drive you to and from your appointment.
Do I have to be dilated for a routine exam?
Yes, as part of a complete eye exam and in order to fully evaluate the retina, you will need to be dilated. We recommend bringing a pair of sunglasses and having someone drive you to and from your appointment.
How long will the effects of dilation last?
Generally, the effects of dilation can last between 3-6 hours. Some may recover sooner while others may be affected for the rest of the day.
Waiting to See Your Eye Doctor
At Associate Ophthalmologists P.C., it is our desire that your visit with us be as pleasant and informative as possible. We know that you have many choices for eye care and appreciate you choosing us.
For your convenience, we schedule appointments for our patients. Due to emergencies, the need for extended services for some patients and other unforeseen circumstances, we are sometimes unable to stay on schedule. Please be patient. Your doctor will spend the time necessary with you as well.
Although our reception area may appear to be crowded, be assured that patients are treated according to scheduled appointments. We have several doctors and other staff seeing patients, which means patients that may have arrived after you may be called before you, for another doctor.
Medical Testing
During your visit, your doctor may determine that additional testing or services are necessary. We may be able to perform those tests or services at that time or it may be better to reschedule for a later time. Some tests may be fully or partially covered by insurance and you may have a co-pay for each. If you have any concerns about the financial responsibilities of the tests, please feel free to approach our technicians prior to performing the ordered tests.
We will always do our best to see you in a timely manner and provide you with high quality care you have come to expect.
Should you have any questions or suggestions regarding our services, please speak with any of our staff.
Dilation
It may be necessary to dilate your eyes during the course of your visit. Dilation results in light sensitivity and blurred near vision, which gradually improves over several hours. You might find your vision (after dilation) to be more comfortable if you bring your sunglasses into the office for your visit. Most people feel comfortable driving after dilation, but if you are unsure, please be safe and bring a driver with you.
Patient Privacy Policy
Associate Eyecare is committed to protecting the privacy of its patients. We maintain safeguards to store and secure information and comply with the standards established under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The way we use or disclose your information is detailed in our Notice of Privacy Practices.
Confirming Appointments
We employ live and automated reminder system to enhance our service to you, our patient. This will allow us to provide you with a timely and efficient reminder of your next scheduled appointment at Associate Ophthalmologists.
You will be called 3-5 business days before your next visit to give you the day, date and time of your upcoming appointment. This will also provide you the opportunity to confirm your appointment. If you are unavailable when the call is made, and have voicemail or an answering machine, a brief message will be left for you.
We trust that our patients understand that it is their responsibility to keep their booked appointments and hope that this will be helpful in that regard.
Our office staff is available to speak with you Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at (212) 233-2344.