Booking an eye appointment can feel straightforward—until you realize that “the appointment type” changes what gets measured, what gets prescribed, and what paperwork you may need. If you’re trying to get glasses, update contact lenses, or improve day-to-day comfort when your eyes feel dry, it’s worth planning your visit around your actual goal.
Dr. Rita Ellent at The Gardens Eye Care / The Ortho-K Center of Forest Hills is located at 12 Station Square, Forest Hills, NY 11375, and the office phone is (718) 480-1050. Their website also notes that telemedicine is available and that you can request an appointment online.
Start with your “end goal”: glasses vs. contact lenses vs. comfort
The clearest way to avoid mismatch is to book based on what you want to walk out with. For many people, glasses are the end goal: you want a prescription that translates into lenses and frames. For contact lens wearers, the end goal is different—your provider has to ensure your vision and fit work together, not just your prescription.
The Gardens Eye Care also points out a key distinction on its comprehensive eye exam page: a comprehensive eye exam typically does not include a contact lens fitting, and patients may need a separate contact lens exam. That single detail is the difference between a visit that “finishes the prescription” and a visit that creates another appointment on your calendar.
If you want contact lenses, confirm the fitting piece before you arrive
When you’re scheduling, ask directly whether your appointment includes contact lens measurements and fitting—or whether it’s limited to an eye exam and a glasses prescription. This matters because a visit focused on vision health may not automatically cover the steps needed for contacts. If you already wear contacts, this is also the moment to mention your current lens type and your biggest day-to-day issue (for example, blurry vision near the end of the day or discomfort).
Telephone scheduling is often fastest for clarifying this. Calling (718) 480-1050 can help you confirm that your appointment is set up for lenses, not just glasses, so you don’t lose time rescheduling later.
Dry eye comfort: treat it as a visit topic, not an afterthought
If your eyes feel dry, irritated, or uncomfortable—especially when you wear contacts—bring it up when you book. Dry eye symptoms can affect comfort and clarity, so your provider may adjust how they evaluate ocular surface health and how they guide you toward practical next steps.
On the clinic’s public services navigation, dry eye treatment is listed alongside broader vision care offerings. That’s a signal to include dry eye as a priority reason for the visit, rather than mentioning it only briefly at the end.
What to say on the phone (so staff can route you correctly)
Use a short script: “I’m looking for help with my contact lens comfort and vision. I’d like to confirm my appointment includes contact lens fitting, and I want to make sure dry eye is covered.” This communicates your goal clearly and helps the scheduler choose the right type of optometry visit.
Make the most of your first visit: bring details, not guesswork
Before your appointment at 12 Station Square, gather what you already know: your current glasses prescription (if you have it), the brand/type of contacts you use, and a simple note of when symptoms are worst (morning vs. evening, indoors vs. outdoors). If you wear contacts, include how long you typically wear them per day. These specifics help your eye exam focus on the questions most likely to matter for your vision and comfort.
If you’re trying to avoid time-consuming misalignment, it can help to ask whether you’re booking a comprehensive exam, a contact lens exam, or both. The Gardens Eye Care’s own guidance that contact lens fitting may require a separate visit makes that question especially important.
Need a direct way to book?
The simplest options are to call (718) 480-1050 or request an appointment through the clinic’s website. If telemedicine is relevant to your situation, the practice also states that virtual appointments are available—so you can ask whether your needs can be handled virtually or whether an in-person exam is required for the contact lens steps.
By tying your appointment request to glasses, contacts, and dry eye comfort—then confirming what the visit includes—you give your optometrist the best chance to use your time efficiently and move you toward the corrective lenses and comfort you want.