What to bring with you

Please bring the following items with you to your appointment:

  • your appointment letter
  • your medicines or eye drops in their original containers
  • glasses and contact lenses
  • sunglasses, because some patients find these helpful after they have had drops put in their eyes

How long will the appointment take?

To reduce the number of times you have to visit, we try to ensure that you have all the necessary tests during your clinic appointment. Depending on the number and type of tests you require, you might need to stay with us for up to three hours, and sometimes longer if there are unexpected delays to any part of your visit.

If you need surgery, you will need to attend a pre-operative assessment before the day of your operation. This is done either on the same day as your clinic appointment, or on a different day.

Providing information and consenting to treatment

Before you come to your appointment, you may find it useful to write down any questions you wish to ask about your condition and treatment. Feel free to ask as many as you like, we want to make sure that you fully understand your condition and the choices of treatment available. Before you receive any treatment, we can help you:

  • understand what the treatment is and for how long you need to have it
  • understand the benefits and risks
  • manage any side effects

discuss any worries or concerns about your treatment or medicine

Eye drops and tests

During your visit, you might have several tests to help us understand your eye condition better. Such tests could include dilating drops. These drops make your pupil bigger, which helps us to look at the back of your eye. The drops might sting a little when they are first put in. They can take 20 or 30 minutes to take effect and are likely to cause blurred vision for up to six hours so you will not be able to drive home from your appointment. In view of the above, we strongly recommend that you do not drive to your appointment. Please arrange for someone to pick you up after your appointment or take a taxi.