What to Expect
Welcome to OCB and thank you for choosing us to care for your eyes. We want your visit to be as comfortable and pleasant as possible so we created this page to familiarize you with what you can expect the day of your visit.
If you have already scheduled an appointment by phone, online or at one of our offices, you should soon be receiving a patient welcome letter. If a referral is required by your insurance company, please call your primary care physician ahead of time to secure one. For more information, visit our Billing and Insurance page.
New patients should expect to spend a minimum of 1 ½ hours on your first visit. Patients being referred for consultation may spend 2-3 hours due to dilation of the pupils and additional testing.
On the day of your visit, please bring the following:
- A list of medications you are taking with dosage
- Eye medications (please bring bottles in zip lock bag)
- Health insurance cards and a photo ID
- Eyeglasses and/or contact lenses with current contact lens prescription or package
- Sunglasses if you are having a dilated eye exam
Parking and Directions: For directions and information on parking and public transportation, please click on the OCB location you will be visiting: Boston, Cambridge, Danvers, Falmouth, Framingham, Milton, Pembroke, Plymouth, Quincy, Sandwich, Waltham, Wareham , Weymouth or West Yarmouth.
Check in: When you arrive, you will be welcomed by one of our patient care representatives, who will ask you for your insurance card and any co-pays that are due. The representative will direct you to our comfortable reception area.
During your visit: Our team of medical professionals work together under the supervision of the treating ophthalmologist to care for you and ensure your exam goes smoothly.
You will first be greeted by one of our ophthalmic technicians who will review your medical history and medication use. The technician will conduct a preliminary work-up in which he or she will measure your visual acuity, check your refraction, measure intraocular pressure and instill eye drops. For an explanation of these tests, see Eye Exams.
If you are having diagnostic tests for a specific condition, you will be brought to the diagnostic area. After your pupils are fully dilated, your doctor will examine your eyes, perform various tests, evaluate you, assess a treatment plan, and will determine if any further diagnostic tests are needed. He or she may be working with an ophthalmic scribe, who will be documenting your exam and treatment plan. After your visit, our patient care representatives will schedule any future appointments for you.
If you have any questions at all, please contact our office.
