What to Expect at First Appointment
Your first visit to the ophthalmologist is a comprehensive evaluation that will take about 1-1 1/2 hours. Your visit may take longer if you need specialized testing or have complex eye problems.
- You should bring your medication list, a driver, and any insurance information and cards. If you have had previous eye surgeries, please attempt to bring prior records. If you do not, me may ask that you sign a release form so that we can obtain old records from other clinics.
- Your evaluation will begin with an in-depth medical history that will include any previous ophthalmic history and a medical review. Your medical history and current medication forms will need to be filled out prior to your examination. For your convenience, these forms are available above.
- Visual acuity will be tested by determining the smallest letters you can read on a standardized eye chart. Each eye will be tested individually to determine your best vision at distance and near.
- A refraction, which checks any possible need for a glasses prescription, may be performed to determine the best focus for your eyes. This important test is performed to determine your best possible vision, as well as whether you have any astigmatism. This may be necessary regardless of whether you plan on getting glasses.
- Your eye muscle coordination will be tested to see if they are fully functional individually and when tested with the other eye.
- Pupil response to light will be examined to see if the light is being appropriately transmitted to your brain.
- Peripheral (side) vision will be checked to see if you are missing parts of your visual field from diseases like glaucoma or strokes.
- A slit lamp microscope examination will be performed to look at health of the anterior segment of the eye, which includes your cornea.
- Intraocular pressure will be checked to see if your eye pressures are at a normal level.
- All new exams normally include a dilated eye exam of both eyes. This important part of the exam will allow the doctor to look at the inside and back of the eyes and check the health of your lens, retina and optic nerve. You may want to bring a driver with you as some people find it difficult to drive after being dilated.
- Others tests may also be performed on an as needed basis, depending on what the preceding parts of your examination have revealed. These include gonioscopy to check your drainage angles, formal visual field testing, photography, high resolution scans of the back of the eye, pachymetry to check your corneal thickness, extended ophthalmoscopy, and ophthalmic ultrasound.
- After the examination, your ophthalmologist will discuss the results of the exam with you and answer any questions you might have!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Insurance Plans Do You Accept at the San Antonio Eye Institute, PLLC?
A: Take a look at the list to the above. We have applied to be "in-network" providers for all insurance companies listed. We will continue to update the list to the left as we receive approval from insurance companies.
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Q: What Should You Bring to Your Appointment?
A: We recommend that all patients bring a completed (1) Registration, (2) Medical History, and (3) Medication Form (downloadable above). In addition, you will need your insurance card(s) and a picture I.D. card, i.e. driver's license.
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Q: Is Payment Expected at the Time of Service?
A: Yes. We verify your insurance elegibility using an online database. This allows us to confirm the required co-pays and deductibles for your specific insurance plan. Co-pays and Deductibles (when they apply) will be expected at the time services are rendered. Failure to pay these fees may lead to rescheduling of your appointment. At times, we may fail to collect a deductible or co-insurance payment upfront. After we receive an explanation of benefits (EOB) from your insurance company, we will send an invoice by mail. For us to continue providing care to our patients, we ask that you pay your invoice before the due date.
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Q: Are There Tests or Procedures Not Covered by Insurance?
A: Yes, some procedures or diagnostic tests may not be covered by your insurance plan. One such test is called a Refraction. (others include goniosocopy, pachymetry, extended ophthalmoscopy, and visual field tests). This is the test done to determine your glasses prescription. If your vision is poor, this test may be performed to determine if a new pair of glasses might improve your vision. This test costs $35 at the San Antonio Eye Institute, PLLC (compared to $40 at Costco). The payment is not for the glasses prescription, but for the diagnostic test. If your vision does NOT improve, you may not receive a glasses prescription despite having to pay for the test. The test is important in helping your doctor determine what else, if anything, needs to be done. For example, some patients may become candidates for cataract surgery if their vision does not improve to a certain level during this test.
If we find that your insurance DOES pay for your refraction (rare), we will credit the $35 to your account or issue a refund.
Cosmetic procedures are NOT covered by health insurance companies.
Insurance Plans
- Advantra Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Medicare Advantage
- Aetna US HealthCare
- Averde Health
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Beech Street
- Bravo Health
- Choice Care Network
- Costal Comp Health Network
- Coventry Health Care
- Employer's Health Network
- First Health
- Galaxy Health Network
- Great West Healthcare
- Health Payors Organization
- Health Smart
- HMO Blue
- Humana PPO
- Independent Medical Systems
- Interplan Health Group PPO
- Medicaid (Secondary to Medicare)
- Medicare
- Multiplan PPO
- PacifiCare PPO/HMO
- PHCS PPO
- Sterling
- Superior Health Medicare Advantage
- Texas True Choice
- Tricare For Life and Standard
- United Healthcare
- Universal Healthcare
- USA Managed Care Org
- WellMed
Last Updated 10/15/2011
Financing
We accept CareCredit and Chase Health Advance. These are essentially credit cards that can be used to pay for heatlh care services. Most of these cards offer No Interest Terms if you pay the complete balance in a specified period of time. For more information on these plans, please call (210) 485-1488 or visit:
Patient Forms
- Registration Form
- Medical History Questionnaire
- Universal Medication Form
- Records Release Form
- Rights & Responsibilities
- Privacy Policy
- 6 Superfoods for the Eyes
Downloads
What is an Ophthalmologists?
Cataract Surgery
What is Glaucoma?
FAQ Glaucoma
Glaucoma Surgery
Dry Eye Syndrome
Floaters and Flashes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Macular Degeneration
Detached and Torn Retina
Uveitis
Amblyopia
Preventing Eye Injuries
Eye Safety for Children
Botulinum Toxin for Facial Wrinkles
Headache