New Patient Information

Welcome to Boling Vision Center. Whether you're coming in for a routine eye exam, a specialty consultation, or an urgent concern, we want your first visit to feel as comfortable, organized, and genuinely welcoming as every visit that follows.

You're in Good Hands From the Start

Becoming a new patient at Boling Vision Center means joining a practice that has been caring for the families of Northern Indiana for over 65 years. We understand that a new medical relationship involves some uncertainty, and we work hard to make that first appointment feel like exactly what it should be: the beginning of a long-term partnership built on trust, attentiveness, and genuine care.

This page covers everything you need to know to prepare for your first visit and feel confident walking through our doors.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first visit to Boling Vision Center is designed to be thorough, unhurried, and genuinely centered on you. From the moment you arrive, our team is focused on making sure you feel welcomed, informed, and well cared for at every step.

Arrival and Check-In

When you arrive, our front desk team will greet you, confirm your appointment details, and complete any remaining check-in steps. We recommend arriving 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to allow for a smooth check-in process, particularly if you haven't had an opportunity to complete your new patient forms in advance.

Meeting Your Care Team

Depending on the nature of your appointment, you may see one or more members of our team before meeting with your provider. Our technicians perform preliminary testing and gather important background information before your provider enters the room, ensuring that your time with the doctor is focused and productive.

Your Appointment

The length and content of your appointment depend on why you've come in. A comprehensive eye exam typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, and longer if dilation or additional testing is indicated. Specialty consultations may vary depending on the complexity of the concern being evaluated. Whatever brings you in, your provider will take the time to thoroughly evaluate your eyes, explain their findings clearly, and discuss any recommended next steps before you leave.

We don't rush. If you have questions, we will answer them. If something needs more time, we take it.

After Your Appointment

Before you leave, our team will ensure you have a clear understanding of any findings, recommendations, prescriptions, or follow-up plans from your visit. If additional appointments are needed, we'll help you schedule them before you go. If you have questions after you leave, our team is always available by phone.

How to Prepare

A little preparation before your first visit helps us make the most of your time together and ensures the most accurate, complete evaluation possible.

If You Wear Contact Lenses

Contact lenses temporarily alter the shape of the cornea, which can affect the accuracy of certain measurements and prescription assessments. If your appointment involves a comprehensive exam, refractive evaluation, or any specialty corneal assessment, you may be asked to remove your lenses for a period before your visit. General guidelines are as follows, though your scheduling team will confirm what applies to your specific appointment:

Soft contact lenses: remove at least 24 to 48 hours before
Toric soft lenses: remove at least three days before
Hard or gas-permeable lenses: remove at least two to four weeks before

If you're unsure whether this applies to your appointment, call us before your visit, and we'll advise.

man getting his eye checked | child getting her eye checked | abstract art

If You Will Be Dilated

Dilation is a standard component of many comprehensive eye exams and certain specialty evaluations. Dilating drops temporarily blur near vision and increase light sensitivity for two to four hours after the appointment, which can make driving uncomfortable or inadvisable.

We recommend arranging for someone to drive you home if dilation is expected. If you're unsure whether dilation will be part of your appointment, ask when you call to schedule.

Review Your Medical and Eye Health History

Taking a few minutes before your appointment to recall relevant medical history, current medications, any prior eye conditions or surgeries, and any family history of eye disease will help your provider get the most complete picture possible. This information shapes both the evaluation and the recommendations that follow.

What to Bring

Arriving prepared helps us get started without delay and ensures your records and coverage information are accurate from day one. Please bring the following to your first appointment:

A photo ID
Your insurance card or cards: both vision and medical insurance if applicable, as different services may be billed differently
Your current glasses: including any readers, progressives, or sunglasses with a prescription
Your current contact lenses: or the box they came in, which contains the prescription parameters
A list of current medications: including dosages, as many systemic medications affect eye health and can influence the evaluation
Any prior eye care records or imaging: if available from a previous provider, these can provide valuable baseline information for your new provider
A list of questions or concerns: if there's something specific on your mind, writing it down beforehand ensures nothing gets overlooked in the moment

If you have a family history of eye conditions including glaucoma, macular degeneration, or retinal disease, let us know when you arrive so we can ensure the appropriate screening is included in your exam.

New Patient Forms

Completing your new patient paperwork before your appointment saves time at check-in and allows our team to review your information in advance.

New patient forms are available for download and completion before your visit. We encourage all new patients to complete and return forms before their appointment whenever possible.

If you're unable to complete forms in advance, please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to allow for in-office completion.

woman smiling | abstract art | binocular eyepieces of a slit lamp

Scheduling Basics

Getting started with Boling Vision Center is straightforward, and our scheduling team is here to make the process as easy as possible from your very first call.

How to Schedule

New patients are welcome to schedule an appointment at any of our four Northern Indiana locations by calling our office directly or requesting an appointment online. Our scheduling team will help identify the right appointment type for your needs, the most convenient location, and the provider best suited to your situation.

Which Location Is Right for Me?

Boling Vision Center has four locations across Northern Indiana, in Elkhart, Goshen, South Bend, and Notre Dame. All four locations offer comprehensive eye care services, and most specialty services are available across locations as well. Our scheduling team can help you identify the most convenient option for your needs and confirm which services are available at each site.

What to Expect When You Call

When you call to schedule, our team will ask about the nature of your visit, your insurance coverage, and your preferred location and timing. If your concern is urgent, let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate you as quickly as possible. For eye emergencies, we have same-day availability during business hours and an on-call provider accessible after hours.

Appointment Reminders

We send appointment reminders by phone, text, or email, depending on your preference. If you need to reschedule or cancel, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your appointment time to another guest who may need it.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Why Choose Boling Vision Center?

At Boling Vision Center, every new patient relationship begins with the same commitment that has defined our practice for over 65 years: to provide genuinely thorough, attentive, and compassionate eye care that treats every guest as an individual rather than an appointment slot.

With four Northern Indiana locations, a full spectrum of eye care services, and a team that takes pride in the experience we deliver from the very first visit, we're honored to be your eye care home. Amazing happens here.

New Patient Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to become a new patient at Boling Vision Center?

No referral is required. New patients are welcome to schedule directly at any of our four Northern Indiana locations for any service we offer. If you've been referred by another provider, we're happy to coordinate with them as part of your care team.

How long will my first appointment take?

It depends on the type of appointment. A comprehensive eye exam typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, and longer if dilation or additional testing is included. Specialty consultations vary based on the complexity of the concern. When you schedule, our team will give you a realistic time estimate so you can plan accordingly.

What if I don't have vision insurance?

We welcome patients with and without vision insurance. For guests without insurance coverage, our team will provide transparent information about the cost of the services being provided before the appointment, and will discuss available payment options. Certain services may also be covered under medical insurance, depending on the nature of the visit.

Can I choose my provider?

Yes. If you have a preference for a specific provider, let us know when you schedule, and we will do our best to accommodate that request. If you're unsure which provider is best suited to your needs, our scheduling team is happy to make a recommendation based on your situation.

What if I need to be seen urgently as a new patient?

We do our best to accommodate urgent new patient concerns as quickly as possible, including same-day appointments during business hours when availability allows. When you call, let our team know the nature of your concern so we can triage appropriately and get you in at the earliest available time.