Scheduling Your Appointment
Whether you contact us directly or are referred by a doctor, scheduling an appointment with the Jones Eye Institute is easy.
Call 501-686-5822. (For pediatric appointments, call 501-364-1150.)
After hours, call the UAMS Medical Center at 501-686-7000 and ask for the eye doctor on call, or go to the UAMS emergency room on Shuffield Drive.
When scheduling your appointment, be sure to request any special assistance you need so that we can make your visit as comfortable and convenient as possible.
What to Expect During Your Visit
What to Bring
To help your visit go as smoothly as possible, bring the following with you:
- Your glasses, contact lenses and any other optical aids
- Important eye-care records, including x-ray and lab reports
- If referred, the name of the doctor who referred you
- A list of allergies and/or any medications you are currently taking
- A list of all questions and concerns regarding your eye care
- Your insurance information
Check-in/reception
Please check in at the reception area. If you are a new patient, please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment to register and complete paperwork.
Examination
The examination that you receive at Jones Eye Institute might be different from previous eye exams. This is a highly specialized ophthalmologic examination and can last several hours. At the Jones Eye Center, tests may be performed that are not routinely done at other eye physicians’ offices. Patients who are new to the Eye Center or new to a subspecialty should expect to spend four or five hours.
Family members
Because of the rather lengthy examination required and a somewhat small waiting area, please limit the number of people you bring with you on your visit.
Dilation
Almost all new patients will have their pupils dilated. This is a necessity to the opthalmic evaluation. The dilation procedure by itself takes about 30-45 minutes. If you are concerned about driving with your eyes dilated, please bring someone with you who can drive you home if your vision is blurry. Vision may be blurred for hours after the examination, and your pupils may remain dilated for up to 24 hours.
Contact lens fitting
The cost of contact lens fitting services is separate and distinct from the exam fees charged by Jones Eye Institute doctors. The contact lens prescription will include very specific information not determined or provided during a regular eye exam performed by the doctor. These services may require multiple office visits and lenses. A contact lens fitting visit require more time than a routine eye exam, so you need to reserve enough time for it. When you make your appointment, be sure to let the office know that you need a contact lens fitting in addition to an exam.
Medical records
In order to provide the best evaluation possible, it is often necessary to review old medical records, previous photographs, and fluorescein angiograms. Please bring any angiogram you have had, along with any records of previous surgeries or other eye exams. If you are scheduled to see the neuro-ophthalmologist, please have your medical providers send copies or your medical records, lab results, MRIs, etc., prior to your exam.
Payment and insurance
The Jones Eye Institute accepts cash, personal checks, VISA and Mastercard at the time of services. We will be happy to file your insurance claim when you provide complete information about your coverage.