When you have your first eye exam at University Eye Specialists, please plan on spending one and a half hours in our office. Your examination may be longer depending on the severity of your condition or other specialized testing. Your comprehensive exam will include dilation of your pupils. Dilation is an important aspect of your eye examination because it allows us to thoroughly examine your eyes, including your retina. Dilation of the pupils can cause light sensitivity and difficulty seeing up close. Blurred vision typically lasts 3-6 hours. We suggest bringing a pair of sunglasses and, if necessary, someone to drive you home.
When you call our office, we will schedule your appointment and will be happy to answer any questions you have. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to allow time to process your medical history and office forms, or to complete them if you haven't already done so. Please see below for a list of forms to download and fill out for your first appointment.
Complementing the surgeons of University Eye Specialists is a dedicated staff of technicians who support the high-quality vision care we deliver to our patients. They provide important adjunct support in bringing exceptional care and education to University Eye Specialists. Our physicians personally train all of our technicians. Depending on your ocular condition and what your doctor needs to thoroughly evaluate your eyes, our ophthalmic technicians also carry out specialized testing. Some of these tests are listed below:
Optic nerve scan: Imaging of your optic nerve, the nerve bundle which carries neural information from the retina to the brain. The optic nerve becomes damaged in uncontrolled glaucoma, or from insufficient blood supply, pressure, inflammation, or swelling.
Retinal tomography: Imaging of your retina, the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye, to determine if there is swelling, bleeding, or damage to your retina.
Visual field testing: Evaluates whether "blind spots" are present in your peripheral vision, which may result from glaucoma and other eye diseases involving the optic nerve and brain.
Corneal pachymetry: Determines the thickness of your cornea, using ultrasound technology. This is performed during glaucoma evaluations, Lasik work-ups, and before certain eye surgeries.
Fundus photography: Documentation of the appearance of your optic nerve and retina for evaluation and comparison in future eye examinations.
Refraction: Using an instrument called a phoropter or loose lenses, your degree of farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia are measured in order to prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Applanation tonometry: measurement of your eye pressure to detect glaucoma.
Gonioscopy: in patients at risk for glaucoma, the outflow pathway for aqueous humor fluid is examined with a magnifying lens placed painlessly on the surface of your cornea.
Biometry: Measurement of the length of your eye before cataract surgery in order to calculate the power of your lens implant.
Insurance
University Eye Specialists are providers for many different insurance companies. Payment is appreciated at the time of your visit, unless other arrangements have been made in advance. We accept Medicare assignment and, as a courtesy, assist in submitting other insurance claims for you if you have all necessary information for your primary and secondary insurance. To be certain that we have all necessary information, please remember to bring your insurance cards and state ID with you so we may copy them for your records. With your help, we can be assured that you will receive all the insurance benefits that are available to you through your policy.
If you belong to a Managed Care Health Care program and you are required to have an Insurance Referral / Authorization Form from your Primary Care Physician, or appropriate network source, please be sure that you bring it with you at the time of your visit. Without proper authorization, the doctor will not be able to see you at your appointed time and you will be held responsible for the cost of your examination.
Fee for Refraction
The cost for refraction (measurement for glasses) is not covered by Medicare and most other insurance carriers. The doctors' fee for this service is $50.00 and is charged only when a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses is given to you.
Please print these 4 required forms: 1) Medical History, 2) New Patient Registration, 3) Patient Signature, and 4) Privacy Practice form, and bring the completed forms with you to your appointment.
- New Patient Medical History form (pdf)
- New Patient Registration form (pdf)
- Patient Signature form (pdf)
- Privacy Practices form (pdf)
Forms for releasing and sending medical information:
- Authorization for Release of Information to University Eye Specialists (pdf)
- Authorization for Release of Medical Record Information from University Eye Specialists (pdf)
Form for referring physician or referring ophthalmologist:
- Physician Referral form (pdf)
To make a tax-deductable donation to the Chicago Center for Vision Research:
- CCVR Contribution form (pdf)