Plan Your Visit

Before going to your appointment, please gather information to help answer questions the eye care professional may ask, including:

• Symptoms of current eye problems (flashes of light, difficulty seeing at night, temporary double vision, loss of vision, etc.)
• Eye injuries or eye surgeries (approximate dates, where treated)
• Family history of eye problems (glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, etc.)
• Any questions about your vision concerning glasses, contacts, laser surgery, etc.
• A list of all prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs currently being used
• Your general health condition (if you have any allergies, chronic health problems, operations, etc.)
• Patients should also bring the following items with them to EVERY eye appointment:
  • Glasses, contact lenses or both
  • Medical or health insurance cards
  • Photo ID
  • Referral if your insurance requires one
  • Method of payment for copays and other charges due on the day of service (we accept cash, checks, VISA, Mastercard, Discover and American Express)

Patients less than 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Your eyes will likely be dilated at your visit.  Dilation drops cause your pupils to widen, permitting a broader view of the back of your eye.  This helps your doctor to diagnose many disease and conditions more accurately.  After your exam, your pupils will typically remain dilated for three to four hours.  During this time, you will be more light sensitive and may have blurry vision, especially doing near-work – such as reading.

If you are not comfortable driving after dilation, please arrange to have a driver.  Our concern is for your safety and you are in the best position to judge whether or not you are capable of driving after being dilated.

Appointments typically take 1 to 3 hours depending on the reason for your visit.

We have a full-service Optical Shop that has a wide selection of frames and high quality lens options to ensure our patients have access to the best technology available.  The Optical Shop and our Contact Lens sales department also accepts many vision insurance plans.  Plan extra time to select a great pair of spectacles.  You also may want to think about browsing the Optical Shop when you arrive – before your eyes are dilated!

If you are a new patient, when your appointment is made you will be forwarded information on how to complete registration paperwork by logging into the Berks Eye Portal.  If you do not have internet access or do not get the opportunity to complete paperwork before your arrival – you will complete your paperwork on an iPad after arrival for your appointment. Any paperwork that requires signature  – such as payment policy and HIPAA paperwork will need to be signed on the iPad after arrival  – even if you do Portal registration.