Joel L. Pelavin, MD, PC
How long is a routine eye exam and what should I expect?
Please allow one and a half to two hours for your eye exam. A complete examination involves dilation of the pupils, which will make your eyes sensitive to light. Your vision also may be blurred. Sunglasses are helpful. You may wish to arrange transportation. Additional tests may be performed when deemed medically advisable.
What should I bring with me?
Please remember to bring in your insurance card, current eyeglasses, and a list of any medications you are taking. If you wear hard contact lenses, it is advisable not to wear them for at least 24 hours prior to your visit. A complete patient checklist is provided in Patient Registration.
What does a complete medical eye examination consist of? Common abnormalities include refractive errors, cataracts, strabismus, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and retinal breaks and detachments.
A complete examination of the eyes including refraction (eyeglass prescription determination), examination of the external ocular structures, ocular alignment and motility, measurement of the ocular pressures to screen for glaucoma, biomicroscopy of the anterior structures of the eye and ophthalmoscopic examination of the retina, optic nerves and retinal vasculature.
What might be found in an eye examination?
Do you take emergency appointments?
Our office will try to accommodate your urgent care to the best of our abilities. All critical complaints will be addressed within that date of service. After-hour calls are taken by our answering service who will contact Dr. Pelavin to return your call. In the event of a true emergency, go to the nearest hospital emergency room for assistance.
Can I be told exactly what my charge will be before coming in?
Not always. Our charges are determined by the severity or complexity of the problem although we can tell you what to anticipate. We do accept most insurances and vision plans, otherwise charges for office visits are payable at the time of service. Our office accepts checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
What if I have medical or vision insurance?
If you are covered by an insurance with which our office participates, we will file the claims for you. Our staff strives to be knowledgeable regarding insurance coverage, however policies change rapidly and any specific questions on coverage should be addressed directly to your insurance company. You will be responsible for copayments, deductibles, and non-covered services.