welcome to affiliated eye surgeons

New to Affiliated Eye Surgeons? We're Glad You're Here.

Getting started with a new eye care provider is easy. This page has everything you need to prepare for your first visit — forms, insurance information, and a clear picture of what to expect.

Your Guide to Becoming a Patient

Welcome to Affiliated Eye Surgeons. We've been caring for patients across Northern New Jersey for over 30 years, and we're glad you've chosen us for your eye health. Whether you're coming in for a routine annual exam, seeking a second opinion, or addressing a specific concern about your vision, our team is here to give you the time, attention, and expertise you deserve. We see patients at three convenient locations in Morristown, West Orange, and Denville — and we welcome new patients at all three.


This page walks you through everything you need before your first visit so you can arrive prepared, check in smoothly, and spend your appointment focused on your eye health.

step 1

Schedule Your Appointment

You can schedule an appointment with Affiliated Eye Surgeons in two ways:


  • By phone — call the office most convenient to you directly during office hours
  • Online — use our appointment request form and a member of our team will confirm your appointment


Our Three Locations



When you call, let us know if you have a specific concern you'd like to address, whether you're transferring care from another provider, and which insurance you'll be using. This helps us schedule the right type of appointment and allocate the appropriate time.

step 2

Verify Your Insurance

Affiliated Eye Surgeons participates in most major medical and vision insurance plans. Before your visit, it's a good idea to confirm that your specific plan is accepted and to understand what your coverage includes for the type of appointment you're scheduling.


Insurance Plans We Accept:


Medical insurance:

  • Medicare
  • AARP Medicare Supplement plans
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Horizon Blue Cross / Blue Shield
  • BC/BS OMNIA Tier 1
  • Atlantic Health Systems
  • Qualcare
  • Magnacare
  • Barnabas Health Plans


Vision insurance:

  • VSP


Additional payment options:

  • FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account) accepted
  • Private pay patients are always welcome
  • Cash and all major credit cards accepted


Please note: Affiliated Eye Surgeons does not participate in Medicaid plans. If your insurance is not listed above and you'd like to be seen, please call your nearest office to discuss expected out-of-pocket costs before scheduling.

question and answer

Medical vs. Vision Insurance — What's the Difference?

This is one of the most common questions new patients ask. The short answer: they cover different things.


  • Medical insurance covers eye care related to disease, symptoms, or injury — such as glaucoma monitoring, diabetic eye exams, evaluation of sudden vision changes, cataract surgery, or management of dry eye disease.


  • Vision insurance covers routine eye care — the annual exam for glasses or contact lens prescriptions, and often a frames or lens allowance.


If you have both types of insurance, bring both cards. Our team verifies your benefits before your visit and will explain what is covered and what, if anything, you'll be responsible for.

STEP 3

Complete Your New Patient Forms

Completing your paperwork before your appointment saves time at check-in and helps our clinical team review your history before you arrive. We recommend downloading and completing your forms at least 24 hours before your scheduled visit.


If you prefer to complete forms in person, please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to allow for check-in.

step 4

Know What to Bring

Having the right items with you on the day of your appointment ensures your visit runs smoothly and that our clinical team has everything they need to provide you with the best care.

  • Insurance card(s) — both medical and vision if you have both


  • Photo ID — driver's license, state ID, or passport


  • A complete list of all current medications, including dosages — this includes eye drops, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and any recent changes


  • Your current glasses — even if you primarily wear contacts, bring your glasses


  • Your current contact lenses and lens case — if you wear contacts, bring them and be prepared to remove them if necessary for certain diagnostic tests



  • Prior eye records — if you are transferring care from another provider, bring any recent exam records, imaging, or surgical history you have. If records are being sent electronically, let us know and we'll coordinate the transfer.
STEP 5

Know What to Expect

Most new patient visits at Affiliated Eye Surgeons are comprehensive eye exams — a thorough evaluation of both your vision and the health of your eyes. Here is what the visit typically includes.

question and answer

How Long Will My First Visit Take?

A comprehensive new patient exam — including dilation — typically takes 60 to 90 minutes from check-in to departure. If your visit involves more complex evaluation (e.g., pre-operative cataract assessment, keratoconus workup, or multiple conditions being evaluated), plan for up to 2 hours.

Step 1: Check-In

Arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Our front desk team will verify your insurance, collect your forms if not already submitted, and confirm your contact information. If you are a transfer patient, we'll confirm receipt of any prior records.

Step 2: Medical History Review

A member of our clinical team will review your medical history, current medications, any vision symptoms you've been experiencing, and your family history of eye disease. This is a good time to mention anything specific that prompted your visit — whether it's a change in your vision, an upcoming surgical consultation, or a referral from your primary care physician.

Step 3: Preliminary Testing

Before you see the physician, a technician will perform a series of preliminary tests. These vary by appointment type but may include visual acuity testing (the letter chart), autorefraction (a machine that estimates your glasses prescription), intraocular pressure measurement, and corneal imaging if indicated.

Step 4: Physical Examination

Your physician will review the preliminary results, perform a slit-lamp examination of the front of the eye, assess your refraction (glasses prescription), and conduct a dilated fundus examination of the retina and optic nerve. If you have a specific condition being evaluated — keratoconus, cataracts, glaucoma, etc. — additional specialized testing may be performed during this same visit.

Step 5: Discussion & Next Steps

At the close of your exam, your physician will explain their findings, answer your questions, and discuss any recommended treatment, follow-up, or referrals. If a glasses or contact lens prescription is being updated, you'll receive it before you leave. If surgery or a procedure is being considered, we'll schedule a separate consultation or pre-operative appointment.

Step 6: Optical Dispensary (Optional)

All three Affiliated Eye Surgeons locations have an on-site optical dispensary. If you need new glasses or want to update your eyewear, you can browse frames and place your order before leaving — same-day convenience at no additional travel.

Transferring Care from Another Provider

If you are moving your care to Affiliated Eye Surgeons from another practice, we make the transition as smooth as possible.


  • Let us know at the time of scheduling that you are transferring care — we'll note this so the appropriate time is allocated for your first visit


  • Request that prior records be sent in advance — contact your previous provider and ask them to send your most recent exam records, any imaging (corneal topography, OCT, visual fields), surgical records, and current prescription. Electronic records can be sent to our fax or via secure health record transfer.


  • Bring what you have — even if full records can't be transferred in time, bring any paperwork, test results, or surgical discharge summaries you have on hand. Your physician can work with whatever is available.


  • Former Hade Eye Care patients — if you were a patient of Hade Eye Care in Denville, your care continues seamlessly at our Denville location (1 Indian Road, Suite 9). Your prior records are part of our system and no transfer is needed.

Office Locations & Hours

(973) 984-5005


95 Madison Avenue, Suite 400

Morristown, NJ 07960

(973) 984-5005


95 Madison Avenue, Suite 400

Morristown, NJ 07960

(973) 586-2188


1 Indian Road, Suite 9

Denville, NJ 07834

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Affiliated Eye Surgeons accepting new patients?

    Yes — Affiliated Eye Surgeons welcomes new patients at all three of our Northern New Jersey locations: Morristown, West Orange, and Denville. You can schedule by calling any office directly or by submitting an online appointment request. We see patients for routine eye exams, specialty consultations, surgical evaluations, and all conditions in between.

  • What should I bring to my first eye appointment?

    For your first visit to Affiliated Eye Surgeons, please bring your insurance card or cards — medical and vision if you have both — a photo ID, a complete list of your current medications and dosages, your current glasses, and your contact lenses and case if you wear them. If you are transferring care from another provider, bring any prior eye records, test results, or surgical history you have. If your eyes will be dilated, bring sunglasses and consider arranging a driver, as your near vision may be blurred for 3 to 4 hours after dilation.

  • How long does a new patient eye exam take?

    A comprehensive new patient eye exam at Affiliated Eye Surgeons typically takes 60 to 90 minutes from check-in to departure, including dilation time. If your visit involves more complex evaluation — such as a pre-operative assessment for cataract surgery, a keratoconus workup, or multiple conditions being evaluated simultaneously — plan for up to 2 hours. Arriving 10 minutes early to complete check-in helps the appointment start on time.

  • Do I need a referral to see a specialist at Affiliated Eye Surgeons?

    In most cases, no — you can schedule an appointment at Affiliated Eye Surgeons directly without a referral. However, some insurance plans — particularly HMO plans — require a referral from your primary care physician before seeing a specialist. Check with your insurance carrier before scheduling if you're unsure whether your plan requires a referral. Our front desk team can also help you clarify this when you call to book.

  • What is the difference between a medical eye exam and a routine vision exam?

    A routine vision exam is focused on updating your glasses or contact lens prescription and is typically covered by vision insurance (VSP, EyeMed, etc.). A medical eye exam is performed to evaluate a symptom, monitor a known eye condition, or manage a disease — such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, keratoconus, or cataracts — and is covered by medical insurance (including Medicare). Many patients have both types of insurance and may qualify for one or both types of coverage depending on why they are being seen. Our team verifies your benefits and explains coverage before your visit.

  • Can I complete my new patient forms online before my appointment?

    Yes — we encourage new patients to complete their registration, medical history, and HIPAA acknowledgment forms before their appointment to save time at check-in. Forms are available for download on our Patient Forms page. If your practice uses a patient portal, you may also be able to complete forms electronically through the portal. If you prefer, forms are also available at check-in — just plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time.

  • What happens if my eyes are dilated — can I drive afterward?

    Dilation causes temporary light sensitivity and blurred near vision that typically lasts 3 to 4 hours. Many patients can still drive after dilation, but near vision — such as reading a GPS or checking your phone — may be affected. Distance vision is generally less impacted. We recommend arranging a driver if possible, particularly if your commute is long, involves heavy highway traffic, or if you've never been dilated before and are unsure how it will affect you. Bringing sunglasses is strongly recommended.

  • I was a Hade Eye Care patient — do I need to register as a new patient?

    If you were a patient of Hade Eye Care in Denville, NJ, you do not need to register as a new patient. Your records are already part of our system at the Denville office, which is now Affiliated Eye Surgeons at 1 Indian Road, Suite 9. Simply call (973) 586-2188 to schedule your next appointment as you normally would. Your care continues with the same clinical team and the same level of corneal specialty expertise this location has always been known for.

 Whether you are due for a routine eye exam, considering cataract surgery, or looking for a second opinion, our team is here to help. Three convenient Northern New Jersey locations. Same trusted care.