Eye exams, eyeglass prescriptions, and care for eye conditions—with clear explanations in English.
At United Medical Clinic in Lisbon, you can have your vision checked, discuss eye symptoms, obtain a prescription for glasses or contact lenses, and review an existing diagnosis. We welcome local residents, expats, and travelers.
No referral from a primary care doctor is required. Appointments are offered every two weeks. Check availability and book directly through our website. We accept patients with insurance and those paying out of pocket; please confirm your plan’s coverage and payment arrangements with our team.
The doctor and clinic staff speak English, making it easier to explain your concerns and understand your care plan.
When to Schedule an Eye Appointment
- Blurry or changing vision: difficulty seeing at a distance, reading, using a computer, or driving.
- Your glasses no longer seem right: you are squinting, holding reading material farther away, or removing your glasses to read.
- Dry or tired eyes: burning, a gritty sensation, or discomfort during screen use.
- Redness, itching, excessive tearing, or discharge.
- Eye pain or visual discomfort, including discomfort associated with headaches.
- Changes in what you see: straight lines appear wavy, or you notice a spot or an area of reduced vision.
- You need follow-up for diabetes, elevated eye pressure, or a previously diagnosed eye condition.
- You need help continuing care after moving to Portugal or reviewing test results from another country.
Sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, a curtain-like shadow, or new flashes and a sudden increase in floaters require urgent eye assessment. Do not wait for a routine appointment.
Eye Conditions We Evaluate
The doctor assesses your eye health, recommends appropriate outpatient treatment, and determines whether additional testing or specialist care is needed.
- Refractive errors: nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and age-related difficulty focusing up close, known as presbyopia.
- Dry eye disease.
- Conjunctivitis and other inflammatory eye conditions.
- Cataracts and related changes in vision.
- Ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
- Diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and other retinal conditions.
The testing and treatment required depend on the condition. If you need an examination or intervention that is not available at UMC, the doctor provides a referral and recommends where to seek care.
What Is Included in Your Consultation?
An initial consultation costs €120 and includes:
- a review of your symptoms, medical history, and previous treatment;
- visual acuity testing;
- refraction, including autorefraction;
- a dilated fundus examination to assess the back of the eye;
- an eyeglass prescription when needed;
- determination of contact lens prescription parameters and issuance of a prescription, without an on-eye fitting, trial lenses, or insertion and removal training;
- an explanation of the findings and recommendations for further testing, treatment, or follow-up.
Eye pressure measurement and slit-lamp examination are not included in the consultation fee and are billed separately.
Follow-Up Consultations
A follow-up consultation costs €100 when it takes place within one month of the initial visit and concerns the same condition.
Additional Tests and Procedures
- Tonometry — €30: measurement of intraocular pressure.
- Slit-lamp examination — €50: a detailed examination of the eye using a slit-lamp microscope.
- Removal of a foreign body from the eye’s surface — €40. Corneal foreign body removal is not available.
The doctor determines which additional tests or procedures are appropriate.
Referrals for Further Testing
OCT, visual field testing, fundus photography, corneal pachymetry, and corneal topography are not performed at UMC. If needed, the doctor provides a referral and recommends a diagnostic center. Patients arrange their own appointments with the recommended provider.
Your Doctor
Dr. Daniel Cardoso, Portuguese Medical Association registration no. 57069, provides consultations for eye conditions, vision assessments, and ophthalmic examinations. He sees adults and adolescents ages 12 and older in English and Portuguese.
View Dr. Cardoso’s profile and book an appointment
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly through the UMC website. A referral is not required to access the clinic, although your insurance plan may have its own coverage requirements.
Can I get a prescription for glasses or contact lenses?
Yes. Eyeglass prescriptions and assessment of contact lens prescription parameters are included in the consultation. We do not provide contact lens fittings, trial lenses, or training in inserting and removing lenses.
Does the €120 fee include eye pressure testing and a slit-lamp examination?
No. Tonometry costs an additional €30, and a slit-lamp examination costs an additional €50.
Can I use insurance or pay out of pocket?
Yes. We welcome both insured and self-pay patients. Please confirm your insurance arrangements before your appointment.
What should I bring?
Bring any previous eye examination reports or test results, your current glasses, and a list of medications and eye drops you use.
Is interpretation available?
The doctor and clinic staff speak English. Russian-speaking patients can also receive free interpretation from a medical coordinator during the appointment.
Book an Eye Appointment in Lisbon
Book online through the UMC website. Appointments are offered every two weeks; available dates are displayed in the booking system.
