Your First Visit to Visionare Eye Specialists: What Makes Our Auchenflower Practice Different

Walking into a new medical practice for the first time can feel a bit daunting. You don’t know what to expect, you’re probably worried about what we might find, and you’re meeting new people who’ll be asking you to trust them with something as precious as your eyesight.

I get it. That’s why I want to walk you through what actually happens during your first visit to Visionare Eye Specialists, and explain the approach that makes our practice a bit different from what you might have experienced elsewhere.

Before You Arrive

When you book your appointment, we’ll ask some basic questions about why you’re coming in and whether you have a referral. Don’t stress if you don’t have a referral – we can still see you. However, having one from your GP or optometrist does help with Medicare rebates and gives us useful background information.

We’ll ask you to arrive a few minutes early for your first visit. This gives you time to fill out a medical history form without feeling rushed. Bring your Medicare card, any private health insurance details, and a list of your current medications (or just bring the bottles – that works too).

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring them along. And if you have previous eye test results, letters from other doctors, or relevant medical records, those can be helpful. But don’t delay your appointment if you can’t track everything down – we can work without them.

A Warm Welcome

From the moment you walk through our door in Auchenflower, you’ll notice we’re a bit different. This isn’t a sterile, impersonal environment. We’ve designed our practice to feel welcoming rather than clinical.

Our reception staff will greet you by name and help you settle in. They’re not just there to book appointments and take payments – they’re part of our care team, and they genuinely care about making your experience as comfortable as possible.

Taking Your History

Once you’re in the consulting room, I’ll start by getting to know you a bit. What brings you in today? What concerns do you have about your eyes? What have you noticed changing with your vision?

Then we’ll go through your medical history. This might seem thorough – and it is – but there’s good reason. Your eyes are connected to the rest of your body, and many medical conditions affect them. Diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, autoimmune diseases, even medications you’re taking – all of these can impact eye health.

I’ll ask about your family history too. Many eye conditions have genetic components. If your mum had glaucoma or your dad had macular degeneration, that’s relevant to your risk profile.

We’ll talk about your lifestyle as well. What do you do for work? What hobbies do you enjoy? Are you a keen reader? Do you do a lot of night driving? Understanding how you use your eyes helps me tailor my advice to your actual life, not some generic template.

The Examination

Now comes the examination itself. Don’t worry – most of it is completely painless. I’ll test your vision using the familiar eye chart (though we use digital systems now, so it’s a bit more sophisticated than the old poster on the wall).

I’ll check how your eyes move together and assess your peripheral vision. Then we’ll look at the front of your eyes using a slit lamp – a microscope that lets me see your cornea, iris, and lens in detail.

For most patients, I’ll put drops in to dilate your pupils. This allows me to see right to the back of your eye and examine your retina and optic nerve properly. The drops sting a tiny bit when they go in, and they make your vision blurry and light-sensitive for a few hours afterwards. That’s why we suggest you don’t drive yourself to the appointment if possible.

Some people worry about the “puff of air” test for eye pressure. We do measure eye pressure, but we use a different method that doesn’t involve unexpected puffs. Much less startling, I promise.

Depending on why you’re here, we might do additional tests. OCT scanning gives us incredibly detailed images of your retinal layers. Visual field testing maps your peripheral vision. Each test serves a specific purpose, and I’ll explain why we’re doing them.

A Different Approach to Communication

Here’s where Visionare really differs from some other practices: I take time to explain things properly. Medical jargon is kept to a minimum. If I need to use technical terms, I’ll explain what they mean.

After examining you, we’ll sit down and talk through what I’ve found. I’ll often show you images or diagrams to help explain. If you have a condition that needs treatment, I’ll walk you through your options, the pros and cons of each, and what I recommend for your specific situation.

I encourage questions. In fact, I expect them. This is your eyesight we’re talking about – you deserve to understand what’s happening and feel confident about any treatment plan we put in place.

Some ophthalmologists adopt a very clinical, detached approach. That’s not me. I’m passionate about eyes, sure, but I’m more passionate about the people attached to those eyes. You’re not just a set of symptoms or a diagnosis – you’re a person with concerns, hopes, and a life you want to live fully.

Compassionate Care Means Really Listening

One thing patients often comment on is that I actually listen. Not just waiting for my turn to talk, but genuinely listening to what they’re saying and what they’re worried about.

If you’re anxious about a potential diagnosis, I’ll address that directly. If you’re worried about costs, we’ll talk about it openly. If you have concerns about treatment side effects or you’ve had bad experiences with eye drops in the past, I need to know that.

Sometimes what patients are most worried about isn’t what I think is the biggest medical issue – and that’s okay. If you’re primarily concerned about being able to drive at night, that’s what we’ll focus on first, even if I’ve also spotted something else we need to monitor.

This collaborative approach means we’re working together toward goals that matter to you, not just treating numbers on a chart.

Treatment Planning That Fits Your Life

If you need treatment, we’ll develop a plan that actually works for your life. There’s no point me prescribing four different eye drops at various times throughout the day if your work schedule makes that impossible. Better to find a regimen you can actually stick to.

Same with appointment schedules. Yes, regular monitoring is important for conditions like glaucoma. But if you’re working full-time, we’ll try to accommodate that with early or late appointments where possible.

Cost is a real consideration for many people. I’ll be upfront about expenses and work with you to prioritise what’s most important if everything can’t happen immediately.

The Follow-Up Plan

Before you leave, you’ll know exactly what happens next. Do you need another appointment? When? Are there tests to be done? Prescriptions to be filled? It’s all written down clearly so you’re not trying to remember everything I said.

If you need any procedures or surgery, we’ll schedule a separate appointment to discuss that in detail. I don’t rush people into surgical decisions. Take your information home, think about it, discuss it with family, and come back with questions.

You’ll also have a way to contact us if concerns arise between appointments. Eye problems don’t always wait for convenient times, and knowing you can reach us if something worries you provides real peace of mind.

Why Patients Stay

Over the years, I’ve built relationships with patients that span decades. They stay not just because of my clinical skills (though I’d like to think I’m fairly competent), but because of how we approach care.

They know they’ll be treated with respect. They trust that I’ll explain things honestly. They feel heard and understood. And they know that if something goes wrong or they’re worried, we’ll be there.

That continuity matters enormously in eye care. When I’ve been seeing someone for years, I know their eyes intimately. I can spot subtle changes that might not show up as dramatic differences on a single test. I understand their concerns and priorities. And they’re comfortable enough with me to be honest about whether they’re actually taking their drops or if they’ve missed appointments.

More Than Just Medical Care

At Visionare, we see our role as broader than just diagnosing and treating eye disease. We’re here to help you maintain the quality of life that good vision provides.

That might mean optimising your prescription so you can enjoy reading again. Or successfully treating your glaucoma so you can keep your driver’s license. Or performing cataract surgery that lets you see your grandchildren’s faces clearly.

Every patient has different priorities, and we tailor our approach accordingly. For some, maintaining independence is everything. Others are most concerned about continuing their hobbies. Some just want reassurance that everything’s okay. All of these are valid, and all of them matter.

The Visionare Promise

When you come to Visionare Eye Specialists, here’s what you can expect:

You’ll be treated with kindness and respect, always. You’ll get honest, clear explanations in language you can understand. You’ll have time to ask questions without feeling rushed. Your concerns will be heard and taken seriously. Treatment recommendations will be based on your individual needs, not one-size-fits-all protocols. You’ll be supported throughout your care journey, not just treated and dismissed.

We won’t always have perfect solutions – medicine doesn’t work that way. But we’ll always be straight with you about what we can and can’t do, and we’ll work together to achieve the best possible outcome for your situation.

Making the First Appointment

If you’ve been putting off seeing an ophthalmologist because you’re nervous about it, I hope this has helped ease some concerns. We really do try to make the experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

Your first visit is about getting to know each other and working out what’s happening with your eyes. There’s no judgment about how long you’ve left things, what you have or haven’t done, or any choices you’ve made. We’re just here to help from this point forward.

So if you’re experiencing vision problems, have been referred by your optometrist or GP, or just want a thorough eye check-up, give us a call. Our Auchenflower practice is easy to reach, parking is straightforward, and we’ll look after you properly.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about – looking after your precious vision with skill, compassion, and genuine care. That’s the Visionare difference.

Disclaimer: The information above is general in nature and should not replace medical advice. Always seek professional guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. Information current as of October 2025.