New Patients Welcome at OC Eye Institute in Laguna Hills and Santa Ana, CA
We are so glad you are considering OC Eye Institute for your eye care needs. Whether you are scheduling your first comprehensive eye exam, seeking a second opinion, or consulting with us about a specific procedure, our team is here to make your experience as comfortable and informative as possible. This page will help you know exactly what to expect and how to prepare for your first visit. Call (949) 770-1322 - Laguna Hills Office or (949) 770-1322 - Santa Ana Office to schedule today — we look forward to meeting you.
What to Bring to Your First Appointment
To help us serve you efficiently and accurately at your first visit, please bring the following:
A valid government-issued photo ID. Your current medical insurance card. A complete list of all medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including dosages. Your most recent eyeglass or contact lens prescription, if available. Any previous eye exam records, surgical history, or specialist notes related to your eye health. If you have been diagnosed with any eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration, please bring related records or imaging if possible.
If you wear contact lenses, please be aware that you may be asked to remove them before certain diagnostic tests, as contacts can temporarily alter the shape of the cornea and affect measurement accuracy. Our team will let you know in advance if this applies to your visit.
To save time at check-in, we encourage new patients to complete our patient forms before your appointment. You can download and print them from our online forms page. If your visit involves a surgical procedure, please also review our surgery forms as needed.
What to Expect at Your Visit
When you arrive at OC Eye Institute, our friendly front desk team will greet you, verify your information, and get you checked in quickly. New patients are asked to arrive a few minutes early to allow time for any remaining paperwork. From there, our clinical staff will escort you to an exam room where your visit will begin with a review of your health and vision history.
Depending on the purpose of your visit, your appointment may include a variety of diagnostic tests such as visual acuity testing, refraction, tonometry (eye pressure measurement — without the air puff), dilated eye examination, corneal topography, or specialized imaging. Dr. Salib will then review all findings with you, explain what they mean in clear, plain language, and discuss your options and recommendations. We never rush our consultations — our patients’ questions always get answered thoroughly.
After your appointment, our team will assist you with any prescriptions, referrals, or follow-up scheduling needed, and will review your insurance coverage and any payment options relevant to your care plan.
Our Office Locations and Hours
OC Eye Institute has two convenient locations serving Orange County and Southern California. Our Laguna Hills office at 24422 Avenida De La Carlota #110 is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Our Santa Ana office at 3500 S Bristol St #202 is open Monday through Friday, 10:00am to 2:00pm. Both offices are staffed by warm, experienced professionals committed to your comfort and care. To get directions or see a map, visit our contact page. To schedule at either location, call (949) 770-1322 - Laguna Hills Office or (949) 770-1322 - Santa Ana Office or use our online appointment form.
We accept most major medical insurance plans including Medicare, Medi-Cal, TRICARE for Life, and many HMOs and PPOs. Please note that we do not accept vision plans — only medical insurance. Visit our insurance page for the full list of accepted plans. For procedures not covered by insurance, flexible payment options including CareCredit, FSA, HSA, and major credit cards are available. We also welcome referrals from other providers — visit our referrals page for details. We look forward to welcoming you to OC Eye Institute in Laguna Hills and Santa Ana, CA.
Frequently Asked Questions for New Patients
How do I schedule my first appointment at OC Eye Institute?
Scheduling your first appointment at OC Eye Institute in Laguna Hills and Santa Ana, CA is easy. You can call us directly at (949) 770-1322 - Laguna Hills Office or (949) 770-1322 - Santa Ana Office during office hours, or submit an appointment request at any time through our online appointment form. Our team will confirm your appointment, answer any initial questions, and let you know what to bring and what to expect. We have two locations — Laguna Hills (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm) and Santa Ana (Mon–Fri, 10am–2pm).
What should I bring to my first eye appointment?
Please bring a valid photo ID, your insurance card, a list of current medications and supplements, and any previous eye exam records or prescriptions. Contact lens wearers should be prepared to remove their lenses for certain tests. You can also save time by downloading and completing our patient forms before your visit. If you have surgery-related paperwork, our surgery forms page has everything you need.
Does OC Eye Institute accept my insurance?
OC Eye Institute accepts a wide range of medical insurance plans including Medicare, Medi-Cal, TRICARE for Life, Humana, and many HMO and PPO plans. Please note that we accept medical insurance only — vision plans are not accepted. For the complete list of accepted plans and important information about HMO authorization requirements, visit our insurance page or call (949) 770-1322 - Laguna Hills Office or (949) 770-1322 - Santa Ana Office to verify your coverage before scheduling.
What if my procedure is not covered by my insurance?
Many elective procedures — such as LASIK, premium multifocal or toric IOLs, and refractive lens exchange — may involve out-of-pocket costs. At OC Eye Institute, we offer a variety of flexible payment options including CareCredit financing, FSA and HSA payment, cash, and all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover). Our team will provide a clear, transparent cost breakdown during your consultation so you can make the decision that is right for your budget.
How long will my first appointment take?
The length of your first appointment depends on the purpose of your visit. A comprehensive new patient eye exam including dilation typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. Consultations for specific procedures such as cataract surgery or LASIK may take a similar amount of time as they involve diagnostic testing, thorough review of findings, and a detailed discussion of your options. We recommend blocking at least 90 minutes for your first visit. Please plan for some light sensitivity following dilation and arrange transportation if needed.
Do I need a referral to see OC Eye Institute?
Many patients schedule directly with OC Eye Institute without a referral. However, patients with HMO insurance plans typically need to obtain a referral and authorization from their primary care physician before their appointment — failure to do so may result in the visit not being covered. PPO patients generally do not need a referral, but should still verify their benefits in advance. If you are a provider interested in referring a patient, visit our referrals page for more information.
What services are available at the Santa Ana office versus the Laguna Hills office?
Both the Laguna Hills and Santa Ana offices are staffed by OC Eye Institute‘s experienced clinical team and can accommodate most new patient evaluations and follow-up appointments. The Laguna Hills office offers a broader range of services and extended hours (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm), while the Santa Ana office (Mon–Fri, 10am–2pm) provides a convenient option for patients in the central Orange County area. Call (949) 770-1322 - Laguna Hills Office or (949) 770-1322 - Santa Ana Office and our team will help you select the best location for your specific needs.