Dr. Simon Warner

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FAQ

Appointment FAQ

How do I book an appointment?

If you are being seen for medical reasons regarding your eyes, please see your family physician to get a referral. Once we receive the referral, you will be contacted with an appointment date and time. If you are being seen for a general eye examination, please contact us directly by phone or by email. Please note that we generally book 6 months in advance.

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

Please bring any current prescription glasses and a current list of medications. If you are a new patient, please bring your medical care card.

Do I need a referral? How often do I need to get a referral?

Yes, all new patients require a referral. An updated referral will be requested to be sent to our office prior to each annual appointment.

How often do I need an eye examination?

Generally, it is suggested that you get an eye examination every 1 – 2 years. However, this may vary depending on your medical needs and Dr. Warner’s discretion.

Can I get a new prescription for glasses?

No. We are no longer doing glasses prescriptions. Please see your local optometrist or optician for a glasses update.

How long will my appointment last?

If you are a new patient or are being seen for a full eye examination, your appointment may last between 1 – 2 hours. This duration is due to the possibility of pupil dilation drop instillation. If you are being seen by a technician for a visual field test or other additional testing, your appointment may last up to approximately 30 minutes.

Why do my eyes need to be dilated? Will pupil dilating drops be used at my appointment?

Pupil dilating drops are used so we can get a better look inside your eyes during examination. Pupil dilating drops will be used as necessary, so please bring a pair of sunglasses to your appointment in preparation as light-sensitivity will occur. The dilating effects usually decrease over the duration of approximately 3 – 4 hours.

Should I wear my contact lenses to my appointment?

Yes, we do recommend that you wear your contact lenses to your appointment, as we have contact lens technicians who can assess the fit and vision of your contact lenses before your eye examination.

Surgery FAQ

How soon after surgery can I shower or swim?

Try to reduce splashing or direct contact with water while showering.  It is better to wash your face with a cloth.  You should not swim for one week after surgery.

How soon after surgery can I work, exercise, or travel?

You may return to work in a few days.  You can start with light exercise for the first 1-2 weeks after the procedure and can return to your normal regimen after two weeks.  Travelling is not recommended until at least 1 week after surgery.

Do I need someone to accompany me on the day of the surgery? When can I return to driving?

Vancouver General Hospital’s policy does not allow you to leave the hospital alone.  You will have to leave with someone.  You may take a cab as long as your are accompanied.  If required, driving services are available.  Most patients arrange a ride with family or friends.

Generally, if you vision has improved, you can resume driving after a day or two.

Contact Lens FAQ

Can I swim/shower with contact lenses?

Any kind of water activity with contact lenses is not recommended. However, if necessary, please remove your contact lenses immediately after and clean them thoroughly to reduce the chances of bacterial infection. Typically, we suggest using daily disposable lenses during water activities and disposing them afterwards.

What do I do if my contact lens gets stuck in my eye?

If a contact lens gets stuck in your eye, please contact us immediately and we will see you for an appointment to remove the lens. If this occurs after office hours, please instill moisturizing tear drops until the next day when we can schedule you in.

How often do I need to change my lenses?

This depends on your specialized contact lens replacement schedule. Please discuss this with your contact lens technician.

What do I do if the vision with my contact lenses has declined?

Please contact one of our contact lens technicians for an appointment to reassess your contact lens prescription.

Does it matter what solution I use to clean my contact lenses?

During your contact lens fitting, we will provide you with a sample size of disinfecting solution. If you have success with this sample, we recommend that you stay loyal to that particular branding to ensure compatibility.

Appointment FAQ

How do I book an appointment?

If you are being seen for medical reasons regarding your eyes, please see your family physician to get a referral. Once we receive the referral, you will be contacted with an appointment date and time. If you are being seen for a general eye examination, please contact us directly by phone or by email. Please note that we generally book 6 months in advance.

What do I need to bring to my appointment?

Please bring any current prescription glasses and a current list of medications. If you are a new patient, please bring your medical care card.

Do I need a referral? How often do I need to get a referral?

If you are being seen for medical reasons, yes. Please have an updated referral sent to our office prior to each annual appointment. If you are being seen for a general eye examination, a referral is not required. However, you will be subject to an examination fee.

How often do I need an eye examination?

Generally, it is suggested that you get an eye examination every 1 – 2 years. However, this may vary depending on your medical needs and Dr. Warner’s discretion.

Can I get a new prescription for glasses?

No. We no longer offer glasses prescriptions. Please see your local optometrist or optician for a glasses update.

How long will my appointment last?

If you are a new patient or are being seen for a full eye examination, your appointment may last between 1 – 2 hours. This duration is due to the possibility of pupil dilation drop instillation. If you are being seen by a technician for a visual field test or other additional testing, your appointment may last up to approximately 30 minutes.

Why do my eyes need to be dilated? Will pupil dilating drops be used at my appointment?

Pupil dilating drops are used so we can get a better look inside your eyes during examination. Pupil dilating drops will be used as necessary, so please bring a pair of sunglasses to your appointment in preparation as light-sensitivity will occur. The dilating effects usually decrease over the duration of approximately 3 – 4 hours.

Should I wear my contact lenses to my appointment?

Yes, we do recommend that you wear your contact lenses to your appointment, as we have contact lens technicians who can assess the fit and vision of your contact lenses before your eye examination.

Surgery FAQ

How soon after surgery can I shower or swim?

Try to reduce splashing or direct contact with water while showering.  It is better to wash your face with a cloth.  You should not swim for one week after surgery.

How soon after surgery can I work, exercise, or travel?

You may return to work in a few days.  You can start with light exercise for the first 1-2 weeks after the procedure and can return to your normal regimen after two weeks.  Travelling is not recommended until at least 1 week after surgery.

Do I need someone to accompany me on the day of the surgery? When can I return to driving?

Vancouver General Hospital’s policy does not allow you to leave the hospital alone.  You will have to leave with someone.  You may take a cab as long as your are accompanied.  If required, driving services are available.  Most patients arrange a ride with family or friends.

Generally, if you vision has improved, you can resume driving after a day or two.

Contact Lens FAQ

Can I swim/shower with contact lenses?

Any kind of water activity with contact lenses is not recommended. However, if necessary, please remove your contact lenses immediately after and clean them thoroughly to reduce the chances of bacterial infection. Typically, we suggest using daily disposable lenses during water activities and disposing them afterwards.

What do I do if my contact lens gets stuck in my eye?

If a contact lens gets stuck in your eye, please contact us immediately and we will see you for an appointment to remove the lens. If this occurs after office hours, please instill moisturizing tear drops until the next day when we can schedule you in.

How often do I need to change my lenses?

This depends on your specialized contact lens replacement schedule. Please discuss this with your contact lens technician.

What do I do if the vision with my contact lenses has declined?

Please contact one of our contact lens technicians for an appointment to reassess your contact lens prescription.

Does it matter what solution I use to clean my contact lenses?

During your contact lens fitting, we will provide you with a sample size of disinfecting solution. If you have success with this sample, we recommend that you stay loyal to that particular branding to ensure compatibility.

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FAQ

Looking for answers? Consult our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page for replies to our most common queries. Read More

Contact Us

Simon J. Warner, MD, F.R.C.S.C
Eye Physician & Surgeon
#401 – 805 West Broadway & Willow Street
Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1K1

P: 604-874-7533
E: eyedr@mail.ubc.ca
F: 604-874-7534

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