Question 1

What should I expect at my appointment?

Accepted Answer

If it is your first visit to our clinic, the front desk will ask you to fill out our patient intake form. Please bring a translator or family member as needed for assistance.

Diagnostic testing appointments:

• Visual Field tests take 30-45 minutes. 
 • OCT tests take 30-45 minutes. 
 • If you are coming for an OCT test, your pupils may be dilated. We recommend taking transit or having a family member or friend pick you up from the clinic following your appointment.

Appointments with Dr. Zack:

• This appointment can take up to two hours. Please note surgical consultations may take more than two hours.
 • You will have a full visual check-up. One of our technicians will assess your vision and eye pressure and review medical information as needed. You'll watch one of our informational videos depending on the nature of your referral. 
 • Your pupils may be dilated. We recommend taking transit or having a family member or friend pick you up from the clinic following your appointment.

Question 2

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

On your first appointment, please bring: 
 • A list of your medications and medical history
 • Your Care Card
 • Your current eyeglasses (if you’re seeing Dr. Zack) 
 • Sunglasses, if your eyes are being dilated

We strongly encourage our patients to bring a family member or translator (if needed) to their appointment, especially with surgical consults. In most cases, your first appointment will be with a technician.

Question 3

What is an OCT test?

Accepted Answer

An Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) test is done to take a look at the back of your eye (your retina). It uses light waves to take detailed images of the retina’s layers. The test is simple, quick, and painless. You will just sit down and rest your chin on a support while the OCT machine scans one eye at a time. Your eyes will be dilated. We recommend taking transit or having a family member or friend pick you up from the clinic following your appointment. 
OCT is crucial for diagnosing and managing a variety of eye conditions, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. It can detect structural changes in the retina and optic nerve before you notice any symptoms, enabling early intervention.

Question 4

What is a Visual Field test?

Accepted Answer

A Visual Field test (VFT) is conducted to measure your peripheral (side) vision and central vision to detect vision loss. During the test, you'll be asked to look straight ahead while lights flash in your peripheral vision. You’ll press a button every time you see a light flash. This test helps map out any areas where your vision might be reduced or missing.

VFTs are important because they help diagnose and monitor conditions that affect your vision, such as glaucoma, retinal diseases, and neurological conditions. Regular visual field tests allow your doctor to monitor any changes in your vision and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

Question 5

What is dilation?

Accepted Answer

Dilation is a common procedure in ophthalmology where the pupil is widened using special eye drops. This allows Dr. Zack to get a better view of the inside of your eye, including the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels. The process helps in diagnosing and monitoring various eye conditions.

The effects of dilation typically last a few hours, during which your vision might be blurred and you may be more sensitive to light. It's advisable to bring sunglasses for comfort and to avoid driving until the effects wear off. We recommend having a family member or friend pick you up from the clinic, or taking public transportation home following the appointment.

Question 6

Your online hours say 9am-4pm, but my appointment is at 4pm. What are your exact hours?

Accepted Answer

Our phone lines are answered 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm. Our clinic hours vary. Please arrive at your scheduled appointment time.

Question 7

Do you accept walk-in appointments?

Accepted Answer

We do not accept walk-in appointments or inquiries. We are a very busy office and want to give you the attention you deserve.

Question 8

Why do I need to bring my eye drops and/or eye medication to the clinic?

Accepted Answer

There are several reasons we may ask you to bring your drops/medications to the office. For one, we want to confirm you are using the correct eye medication to ensure your treatment is successful. Secondly, we have to look at the bottle to confirm if and when a prescription needs renewal. Lastly, we use the physical bottle of drops/medication for reference. When recommending changes to medication, it is much easier to explain these changes to patients if the actual medication is available.

Question 9

How early should I arrive?

Accepted Answer

Please arrive at your scheduled appointment time.

Dr. Barend Zack MD FRCSC

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Dr. Barend Zack MD FRCSC

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