On your appointment day, please proceed to the facility main entrance. You may be given a mask to wear throughout your visit. You will also be directed to register for your visit upon your arrival.

What to Expect

To make your appointment go as smoothly as possible: 

If you wear contact lenses, it is preferable that you stay out of your lenses at least 1 week prior to your visit for soft lenses and 2-3 weeks prior to your visit for rigid lenses. This will allow your measurements to be more accurate on the day of your exam.

Please Bring Along:

• Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses
• Sunglasses (for light sensitivity after your examination)
• List of all your current medications (including eye drops)
• Pertinent medical records
• A photo ID
• Names, e-mail addresses and fax numbers for your non-University of Miami physicians
• Proof of insurance coverage
• Authorization or referral forms if required by your insurance company
• Questions for your doctor

Your Child’s Visit:

Please bring the items listed above in addition to the following:

• Bottles, baby formula, and diapers for infants
• Favorite toy or other special items needed for your child’s comfort
• Any needed legal paper(s) if applicable

COVID Restrictions:

In an effort to ensure a safe environment in our outpatient surgery areas, the space for visitors is subject to the current COVID-19 protocols.

Follow our COVID visitor guidelines.

Pediatric patients (under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by one adult.

Your Consultation:

Your comprehensive appointment may include an assessment by an ophthalmic technician, diagnostic imaging testing, and a doctor’s examination. Please note that you may be scheduled for a number of these tests in advance of the appointment (as indicated for your individual situation) and not all tests will necessarily occur on the evaluation day.

During your consultation, your eyes will be dilated. The thoroughness and complexity of your eye examination may require several hours to complete your appointment.

You may want to bring reading materials and a sweater as the building is generally cool. If you require something to eat or drink during your appointment, you are welcome to bring a snack. For the security and comfort of our patients, please refrain from using your phone’s speaker or playing music while not wearing headphones.

Because preserving and protecting your vision is so important to us, our care team may use a variety of tests to confirm the presence of cataracts in your eyes.

• Dilated exams allow your doctor to check your lens for signs of cloudiness, which indicates that you may have a cataract.
• Slit lamp exams give your doctor a magnified 3-D view of your eye, making it easier to spot small abnormalities.
• Visual acuity tests determine if your vision is impaired.

Other imaging test may be required and may include:

• Corneal topography imaging scans measure astigmatism in the eye.
• Macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging spots irregularities in the retina.
• Intraocular lens biometry measures the dimensions of your eye to determine which lens is appropriate to implant in your eye during surgery.

Cancel or Reschedule your Appointment:

Please call our Patient Appointment Office at (305) 243-2020 or (888) 845-0002 (toll-free) to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

You will receive several appointment reminders via our automated patient appointment operator in the form of a call or text.

International Patients:

We invite patients traveling from outside the United States to use our International Concierge Service. Our team is committed to deliver a courteous, helpful, and respectful patient experience throughout your appointment.

For more information, please visit our website at https://umiamihealth.org/international- patients. You may also call us at 305-243-9100 or contact us via email at uhealthinternational@med.miami.edu.

Language Services:

At Bascom Palmer, interpreters are available at no cost to assist communication between health care providers and patients whose primary language is not English. Our translation services are available via telephone, video, on-site and document(s).

Why Choose Bascom Palmer?

Leaders in cataract care. In 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked Bascom Palmer as the No. 1 eye hospital in the nation for the 20th time. Our world-class surgeons are regarded as leaders in the field of cataract surgery. When you come to Bascom Palmer for care, you have access to the widest selection of lens options and advanced technologies available.

Research-driven treatments. A hospital-based surgical center affiliated with the University of Miami Health System, we care for patients with a variety of medical concerns and conditions. As the region’s only academic medical center, our surgeons and staff stay current with the latest developments in cataract care.

Advanced treatment. A leader in cutting-edge innovation, research, and patient care, Bascom Palmer uses every available diagnostic tool and technology to perform surgery with the utmost precision and safety.

Compassionate care you can trust. Your cataract team of surgeons, nurses, optometrists, and technicians speaks with you and your family about every aspect of your cataract procedure. We listen to your concerns and answer all your questions. We guide you through the entire process with the highest degree of expertise and compassion.