If you remember visiting your previous eye doctor for the first time, your visit with your new one is not going to be a lot different. Nonetheless, you probably still want to know how to prepare for it. After all, you’re still at the “getting-to-know-you stage,” and you want to make sure to provide your doctor with as much useful information as possible to gain a good insight into your eye health—which is crucial for ensuring you receive the best care possible.
Below, we’ve prepared a few tips to help you make the most of your appointment with your new eye doctor.
Tip #1 Build a good knowledge base.
Gathering as much pertinent information as you can about your eye condition helps you get a good starting point for your discussion with your eye doctor and know the right questions to ask during your appointment.
Make sure to use reliable sources when researching your condition and the available treatment options. When you come across something that rings true, write it down, so you can ask your doctor to clarify and look further into it.
Tip #2 Create a checklist.
Being adequately prepared for your appointment with your new doctor entails making a checklist of what to bring and any important information they might need.
When creating your checklist, do include the following items and details:
- Completed paperwork
- Information about your primary care physician
- Insurance card
- Medications you’re currently taking
- Questions
- Your current eyeglasses and/or contact lenses – You may also want to take the reading glasses you bought at the drugstore. This way, your eye doctor can tell you if they’re suitable for you.
- Your eye issues, past surgeries, and health conditions (e.g., migraine, diabetes, hypertension, etc.)
- Your family history- Your eye doctor will want to know if your immediate family members had/have general health problems and eye diseases.
Tip #3 Ask a family member or any other person you trust to come with you.
Consider having a loved one or a friend come with you to your visit. This way, you can have someone who can listen, ask questions, take notes, and help you communicate your concerns with your eye doctor.
Eye Doctor in Washington, MO
At Advanced Sight Center, we are staffed with highly credentialed eye doctors whose commitment goes beyond providing unmatched quality of care. We take pleasure in equipping our patients with useful information to help them fully understand their diagnoses (and available treatment options), and empower them to take better care of one of their most precious resources—their eyesight.
To arrange a consultation with one of our eye doctors, contact us today by calling at (636) 239-1650 or filling out our appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
