Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome! Below are answers to common questions about appointments, exam-day expectations (including dilation), insurance and billing, and how to request records at Ophthalmology Associates of San Antonio. If you don’t see your question, please call us at (210) 223‑5561.

This FAQ is for general education and convenience. It isn’t medical advice and doesn’t replace an exam with your ophthalmologist. If you think you’re having an eye emergency (severe pain, sudden vision loss, or serious injury), call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Appointments & locations

How do I schedule an appointment?

Call us at (210) 223‑5561 to schedule a visit or visit our scheduling page. Our appointment line is open Monday–Friday during normal business hours.

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes, please call (210) 223-5561 to schedule an appointment.

When should I arrive for my appointment?

For your first appointment, plan to arrive about 15 minutes early. Arriving early helps with check-in and paperwork so your clinical testing can start on time.

How long will my appointment take?

We recommend planning enough time for a comprehensive eye exam—about 1.5 hours—plus any additional diagnostic tests your doctor may recommend. Some visits are quicker; others take longer depending on your symptoms and the testing needed.

Do you see emergencies the same day?

We make every effort to schedule routine appointments as soon as possible and to see emergencies the same day you call. If you have sudden symptoms (for example, injury, significant eye pain, or sudden flashes/floaters), call us right away so we can guide you through the next steps.

Where are you located, and how do I get directions?

OASA operates across several convenient locations. Please visit our locations page for addresses and map links. If you are visiting our downtown location, please allow extra time for parking. See our locations here.

Preparing for your visit

What should I bring to my appointment?

To speed up registration, bring your eyeglasses and/or contact lenses, an up-to-date list of all medications and eye drops, your current insurance card, and a photo ID.

Do I need to fill out forms before I arrive?

Patients have several options to complete their paperwork. This includes online via a link sent 24 hours before the appointment, at the time of check-in by using a kiosk, or by downloading forms to print, complete, and bring to help the check-in process go faster. These include items like the patient information form, records release, HIPAA acknowledgment, refraction cost acknowledgment, and financial policy. See all forms here.

Do you collect medical information through the website?

For privacy and security, we do not collect medical information on our website. We ask patients to complete the online check-in prior to the appointment or to print and complete forms prior to the visit. See all forms here.

What if my address, insurance, medications, or medical history changed since my last visit?

Update your forms if you are a new patient, if personal information has changed, or if medical history and/or medications have changed. We also ask patients to notify the office of changes in contact and insurance information. View our Contact Us page here.

Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?

Some insurance plans require a referral. If your plan requires a referral, it is your responsibility to obtain it before scheduling, and you may not be seen without a current referral on file if one is required.

I wear contact lenses—what should I do?

Bring your contact lenses and/or eyeglasses to your appointment. In some cases, your doctor may ask you to remove contacts for certain exams or measurements, so having your eyeglasses available can be helpful.

During your eye exam

What happens during a comprehensive eye exam?

Most ophthalmology visits include history questions, vision checks, and tests that help your doctor evaluate eye health and decide whether additional imaging or measurements are needed. Comprehensive exams often include dilation and may include other diagnostic tests depending on what your doctor finds.

Why do my eyes need to be dilated?

Dilation is often necessary to thoroughly evaluate the retina and optic nerves. Dilating drops can blur vision and increase light sensitivity, so patients are advised to bring sunglasses to help with glare after the appointment.

How long do dilation drops last?

The effects of dilating eye drops last a few to several hours. Plan your day accordingly, especially if you drive for work or have a long trip home.

Can I drive after my eyes are dilated?

Dilation may make your vision blurry and lights look brighter than usual. We suggest bringing sunglasses and, if you are concerned about driving while dilated, bringing someone with you to drive you home.

Insurance, billing & payments

What insurance do you accept?

We are experienced working with most medical insurance companies, but we recommend you contact your insurance provider to check benefits before scheduling (or contact us to ask if your insurance is accepted). We do not accept vision insurance. View our Contact Us page here.

Will you file my insurance claims?

Our billing department files surgical and diagnostic insurance claims as a courtesy to patients.

What do I need to pay on the day of my visit?

We ask patients to help keep fees low by paying for services—including copays and deductibles—at the time of the visit. If insurance is accepted, applicable copayments/coinsurance/deductibles are due at the time of service.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, check, and major credit cards, as well as flexible spending accounts.

Can I use my flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for services?

If you participate in a flexible health care spending program through your employer, you can use your dollars at Ophthalmology Associates for your eye exam. Contacts, frames, and prescription eyeglasses/sunglasses are often also eligible for flex spending dollars. LASIK and other refractive, cosmetic and elective surgery procedures can be financed in this manner as well.

Is there a credit card surcharge?

A 3% surcharge will be added to transactions made with Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit cards. We do not accept American Express credit cards. No surcharge will be applied to debit or prepaid cards.

What is a refraction, and how much does it cost at OASA?

OASA defines a refraction as a test that helps monitor changes in vision and to measure and update your prescription for eyeglasses. It is not covered by most insurance companies. The charge for this test is $85.00 and is due at the time of service.

What are your no-show and late cancellation fees?

We institute a $75 fee if you do not show or do not cancel/reschedule within 24 hours of an appointment. For surgery, we institute a $250 fee if you do not show or do not cancel/reschedule within three (3) days of the scheduled surgery date.

What if I’m experiencing financial hardship or need to discuss payment options?

We encourage patients to call about financial policies, and we are happy to discuss hardships. Please contact the billing department to discuss payment options if you have financial hardship. View our Contact Us page here.

Medical records, privacy & communication

Can you text, email, or call me appointment reminders?

With patient consent, we can send appointment-related messages via email, SMS texts, and phone calls. Message frequency may vary and standard message/data rates may apply.

Can I email medical photos or sensitive health information?

Patients may email for general/business communication but should not send sensitive patient medical information via email or use email for medical emergencies. For medical concerns, call the office so staff can route you appropriately. View our Contact Us page here.

How do I request a copy of my records or have them sent to another doctor?

We provide a Records Release form authorizing release of diagnoses and records. There is no charge for records sent to another doctor’s office. Patients requesting their own records will be charged $75 prior to records being sent. If no expiration date is specified, the authorization expires in six months. You may either select the link to download the form or request us to text you the form electronically to fill out and sign. See all forms here.

Cataracts, glaucoma & common eye concerns

What types of eye conditions does OASA treat?

We provide services relating to cataracts, cornea & dry eye, glaucoma, oculoplastics/eyelids, pterygium, refractive surgery (LASIK), and retina/vitreous care. We are able to diagnose, treat, and monitor most adult eye conditions and diseases. View all services here.

What is a cataract, and what symptoms might I notice?

A cataract as clouding of the eye’s natural lens that often develops slowly and can cause blurry or hazy vision, more glare/light sensitivity, and trouble seeing at night. If cataracts begin interfering with daily activities, evaluation for surgery may be appropriate.

When is cataract surgery recommended?

There is no cure for cataracts except surgical removal of the cloudy lens, and that the timing for surgery is when cataracts affect vision enough to interfere with normal daily activities.

Does Medicare cover cataract surgery and glasses after surgery?

Medicare Part B may cover cataract surgery that implants conventional intraocular lenses (coverage can vary by location) and while Medicare doesn’t usually cover eyeglasses/contacts, it covers one pair of eyeglasses with standard frames (or one set of contacts) after each cataract surgery that implants an intraocular lens.

What is glaucoma, and why is screening important?

Glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve that can cause blind spots and vision loss. It can be difficult to detect without regular and complete eye exams because it often has no noticeable symptoms.

Does Medicare cover glaucoma screenings and diabetic eye exams?

Medicare Part B covers glaucoma screenings once every 12 months for people at high risk (including diabetes, family history of glaucoma, African Americans 50+, and Hispanic Americans 65+), generally with 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible.

What symptoms should I treat as urgent?

If you have an eye infection, injury, eye pain, or notice sudden floaters and flashes or patterns of light, you should call your ophthalmologist. At OASA, we aim to see emergencies the same day you call. When in doubt, contact the office promptly or seek emergency care if symptoms are severe. Contact us here.