New Patient Preparation
We know the value of sight and sincerely thank you for trusting our practice to be your retinal care provider. We want to be sure your visit is as seamless and understandable as possible. Below is an overview of how to prepare for your first appointment at Colorado Retina, plus resources to help you understand what to expect when you arrive.
Be Prepared To Spend 3 Hours With Us
Your first visit includes a comprehensive retinal examination, diagnostic testing and imaging, discussion of your diagnosis and treatment plan with your doctor, and on-site treatment if needed.
What To Bring To Your Initial Appointment
- Valid photo ID.
- Current primary and secondary medical insurance cards.
- Specialist co-pay as noted on your insurance card(s). Credit card payments are preferred.
- A driver to assist you home, you will be dilated.
- Current prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses.
- Medical history, list of all your medications, vitamins, supplements, and eye drops. If you are diabetic, bring your medication with you.
- Name of your referring eye doctor and primary care physician, if applicable.
- A snack, especially if you are diabetic.
- List of drug allergies and the reactions you have from them.
- A blanket or jacket if you get cold easily.
Please, no children or pets that are not licensed service animals.
New Patient Paperwork
New Patient Paperwork will be sent to you via email or text if you have a cell phone number on file and should be filled out prior to your visit to save time at check-in. If you prefer to fill it out your paperwork at our office, please arrive to your appointment 15 minutes early.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit to Colorado Retina will be a thorough and complete exam of your eyes, with an emphasis on your retina, the part of your eye that senses light and sends signals to your brain, allowing you to see. Because we want to give you the most comprehensive care, your first appointment may take up to 3 hours from start to finish.
Here's a guide to help you know what will happen and when.
1. Review of Your Medical History
We’ll start by going over your overall health and eye history.
We will review your medical conditions, all medications you take, and any drug allergies.
This helps your care team understand your health before we begin testing.
2. Checking Your Vision
A technician will check how well you see with your glasses or contact lenses.
After this, you’ll remove them so we can prepare your eyes for dilation later in the visit.
3. Measuring Your Eye Pressure
We’ll gently measure the pressure inside each eye using a small handheld device called a Tono-Pen.
Numbing drops are used, so you won’t feel pain, just a light tap or pressure.
This test helps make sure your eye pressure is within a healthy range.
4. Dilation of Your Eyes
Next, we’ll give you dilation drops to widen your pupils to help your doctor see the back of your eye clearly.
Dilation takes approximately 15–30 minutes.
Your vision will be blurry and light-sensitive for several hours afterward, so plan for a safe ride home if needed.
5. Retinal Imaging
Once your eyes are dilated, an ophthalmic photographer will take detailed pictures of the back of your eye.
This is painless and done in a dark room.
You may have:
- OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography): A 3D image that shows the layers of your retina.
- Color photos: High-resolution pictures that give a wide view of your retina.
These images help detect early signs of disease, even before symptoms begin.
6. Physician Exam
Your retina doctor will then examine your eyes using special lights and microscopes:
- Slit-lamp exam: A bright light and microscope help the doctor look closely at the front and back parts of your eyes.
- Fundoscopic exam: The doctor uses a headlight-style tool to look at the edges of your retina to check for tears, swelling, or bleeding.
These exams may feel bright but should not be painful.
7. Doctor Consult & Treatment Plan
After all testing is finished, your doctor will meet with you one-on-one to:
- Explain your diagnosis (if one is found)
- Review your images and test results
- Discuss treatment options and next steps
- Answer all your questions
If additional tests or lab work are needed, our team will guide you through the next steps.
Financial Counseling
We know insurance and medical costs can feel overwhelming, and we’re here to help. We offer free financial counseling to support you. Our expert team can explain your insurance benefits, estimate out-of-pocket costs, review medication expenses, and help you explore financial assistance options or set up a payment plan that works for you.
To speak with a financial counselor before your appointment, please call or text us at 303-261-1600 or email us to schedule a phone call or an in-person visit.
Insurance and Billing
We’re committed to providing cost-effective care. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most medical insurance plans, and we bill your medical insurance directly after each visit. Because we are a medical specialty practice, we do not accept vision insurance.
Some insurance plans require a written referral from your Primary Care Physician before you can see a retina specialist or receive testing/treatment. To avoid unexpected costs, please confirm whether your plan requires a referral and that we are in-network for both your primary and secondary insurance. You are responsible for any services not covered by your insurance.
