New Patients Welcome
What do I need to know before my first eye appointment?
Golden Triangle Eye Center in Columbus, MS makes your first visit easy. Choose your appointment type to see exactly what to bring, what to expect, and how long your visit will take.
Preparing for Your Visit
Comprehensive Eye Exam
- Bring your current glasses and/or contact lenses
- Have your insurance card and photo ID ready
- List any current medications (prescription and OTC)
- Note any vision changes or eye concerns to discuss
- Wear your contacts if applicable — we may ask you to remove them during the exam
- Plan for possible dilation: pupils stay enlarged 4‑6 hours; bring sunglasses
How long will the exam take?
Most comprehensive exams take 45‑60 minutes. If dilation is needed, add 30 minutes for drops to take effect.
Do I need to stop wearing contacts before my exam?
No, but bring your glasses too. We may ask you to remove contacts for certain tests.
Will my eyes be dilated?
Dilation is recommended at least every other year. We will let you know in advance and ask for your consent. Dilated eyes are light-sensitive for a few hours — sunglasses help.
Contact Lens Exam & Fitting
- Wear your glasses to the appointment — not contacts, unless instructed otherwise
- Bring your current contact lens boxes or prescription if you have them
- List any comfort issues you have had with past lenses (dryness, blurry vision, redness)
- Know your preferred lens schedule: daily, bi-weekly, or monthly
- Bring your insurance card — contact lens benefits are separate from eyeglass benefits
Can I still get glasses if I'm getting contact lenses?
Yes. A contact lens prescription is separate from your glasses prescription. You can get both in the same visit.
How many trial lenses will I get?
Most patients leave with trial lenses to wear for 1‑2 weeks. We schedule a follow-up to check fit and comfort before finalizing your prescription.
Is there an extra cost for the contact lens fitting?
Yes, contact lens fittings have a separate fee from the eye exam — comprehensive exam. Many insurance plans cover or offset this cost — we can check your benefits.
Pediatric Eye Exam
- Bring the child's insurance card and any prior glasses or prescription
- Tell us about any concerns: squinting, sitting close to screens, difficulty reading, eye turns
- For toddlers and young children: schedule during a time when they are rested and not hungry
- Older children: reassure them — no shots, no pain. We make it fun.
- List any family history of eye conditions (amblyopia, strabismus, high prescriptions)
When should my child have their first eye exam?
The American Optometric Association recommends: first exam at 6‑12 months, again at age 3, and before starting school (age 5‑6). Annual exams through school years after that.
What if my child can't read the eye chart?
We have special tests that don't require reading. Even infants can be tested for refractive errors using light-based instruments.
Will my child need glasses?
We won't know until the exam. Many children have mild prescriptions that don't require glasses. If glasses are needed, we have a wide selection of durable kids frames.
Emergency Eye Care
- Call ahead so we can prepare for you — do not just walk in
- Do NOT rub the eye if something is in it
- If a chemical splashed in your eye: flush with clean water for 15 minutes before coming in
- Do NOT remove any object stuck in the eye — keep it still and come in immediately
- Bring someone to drive you if vision is significantly affected
What counts as an eye emergency?
Sudden vision loss, new flashes of light or a shower of floaters, eye pain, chemical exposure, eye injury or trauma, foreign object in the eye, or sudden double vision. When in doubt, call us.
Do I need an appointment for an emergency?
Call us first. We keep time in our schedule for urgent cases and can often see you the same day. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the ER.
What if my injury happened after hours?
Call our office number — the voicemail will direct you to after-hours emergency contact options.
LASIK Consultation
- Stop wearing soft contacts for 2 weeks before the consultation (rigid/gas-permeable: 4 weeks)
- Do NOT wear contacts day-of — glasses only
- Bring your most recent glasses prescription
- Arrange a driver — your eyes may be dilated and temporarily blurry after the evaluation
- List any dry eye symptoms, history of eye conditions, or medications you take
Is everyone a candidate for LASIK?
No. Thin corneas, severe dry eyes, unstable prescriptions, or certain medical conditions may disqualify LASIK. Other options (PRK, LASEK, ICL) may still be available. We evaluate all options.
What does the consultation involve?
We measure corneal thickness, map the cornea's surface, test for dry eye, check pupil size, and evaluate your overall eye health. This takes 60‑90 minutes and involves dilation.
Is the LASIK consultation covered by insurance?
Most vision insurance plans do not cover LASIK evaluations since LASIK is considered elective. We can check your specific plan. Many patients use FSA/HSA funds for LASIK.
Dry Eye Evaluation
- Bring a list of all medications — many common drugs (antihistamines, antidepressants) worsen dry eye
- Note when symptoms are worst: morning, evening, on screens, outdoors
- Avoid eye drops for 2 hours before the appointment so we get an accurate baseline reading
- Bring your current eye drops so we know what you have tried
- Wear glasses if possible — contacts can mask some dry eye signs
How is dry eye diagnosed?
We measure tear quantity (Schirmer's test), tear quality (TBUT), and examine the meibomian glands (the oil glands in your eyelids). We may use special dyes to see the ocular surface.
What treatments are available for dry eye?
Depending on the type and severity: lubricating drops, warm compresses, omega-3 supplements, prescription drops (Restasis, Xiidra), punctal plugs, meibomian gland expression, or in-office procedures like LipiFlow.
Will I need to come back after the evaluation?
Usually yes. Dry eye is a chronic condition. After the initial evaluation and trial of treatment, a follow-up at 4‑8 weeks helps us assess response and adjust the plan.
New Patient Questions
How long will the exam take?
Most comprehensive exams take 45‑60 minutes. If dilation is needed, add 30 minutes for drops to take effect.
Do I need to stop wearing contacts before my exam?
No, but bring your glasses too. We may ask you to remove contacts for certain tests.
Will my eyes be dilated?
Dilation is recommended at least every other year. We will let you know in advance and ask for your consent. Dilated eyes are light-sensitive for a few hours — sunglasses help.
Can I still get glasses if I'm getting contact lenses?
Yes. A contact lens prescription is separate from your glasses prescription. You can get both in the same visit.
How many trial lenses will I get?
Most patients leave with trial lenses to wear for 1‑2 weeks. We schedule a follow-up to check fit and comfort before finalizing your prescription.
Is there an extra cost for the contact lens fitting?
Yes, contact lens fittings have a separate fee from the eye exam. Many insurance plans cover or offset this cost — we can check your benefits.
When should my child have their first eye exam?
The American Optometric Association recommends: first exam at 6‑12 months, again at age 3, and before starting school (age 5‑6). Annual exams through school years after that.
What if my child can't read the eye chart?
We have special tests that don't require reading. Even infants can be tested for refractive errors using light-based instruments.
Will my child need glasses?
We won't know until the exam. Many children have mild prescriptions that don't require glasses. If glasses are needed, we have a wide selection of durable kids frames.
What counts as an eye emergency?
Sudden vision loss, new flashes of light or a shower of floaters, eye pain, chemical exposure, eye injury or trauma, foreign object in the eye, or sudden double vision. When in doubt, call us.
Do I need an appointment for an emergency?
Call us first. We keep time in our schedule for urgent cases and can often see you the same day. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the ER.
What if my injury happened after hours?
Call our office number — the voicemail will direct you to after-hours emergency contact options.
Book Your Visit
Contact the office to book your next visit.
Our Locations
Golden Triangle Eye Center serves patients at multiple locations.
Columbus
Office hours
Aliceville
Office hours
What Our Patients Say
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