Retina Examination

Your initial examination and testing will be comprehensive. Since we endeavor to complete all tests and make recommendations based the results at the time of your examination, please allow several hours for your first visit (2-3 hours).

Your pupils will be dilated in order to perform our examination. Pupilary dilation will make your eyes sensitive to bright light when you leave our office. For your safety, it is best to plan for someone to drive you from our office. The pupilary dilation will also prevent you from being able to focus. Reading may be difficult for you for several hours following our examination. You may wish to take this into consideration in your work schedule. These inconveniences are temporary and necessary for adequate examination. Our office staff will ask you many questions that will enable our physicians to perform a thorough evaluation. You can help us by bringing all prescription medications, or a list of each medication and dosage with you to the office. You may see several members of our physician team during your evaluation and course of treatment. Because optimal treatment in the critical care of retinal disease often remains a matter of judgment.

Individuals who elect to have macular surgery performed by Dr. Donald Stephens can anticipate surgery at either a local hospital on an outpatient admission the day of surgery or a local ambulatory surgery center, general or local anesthesia consistent with physical health, same day discharge following surgery and complete recovery from anesthesia, and first postoperative examination the day following surgery.

Patients who have macula hole repair surgery will have a gas bubble in the eye that will require them to position face down almost continuously for approximately ten days. Patients who have had previous cataract extraction will position face down at night time only. Specific individual instructions will be provided for your case when surgery is scheduled. Be assured that everything will be done to complete your examination as promptly as possible. We will devote to you as much time as necessary to help you with your individual problem. We encourage your questions and invite a family member to accompany you.