Visiting an eye doctor can be a scary and stressful experience for many people, especially if they’re dealing with symptoms or have concerns about their eye health. At the same time, visiting your ophthalmologist is necessary and crucial to maintaining a healthy and quality life.
Most people should be visiting their eye doctor at least once per year for an annual checkup, but some people might be required to visit more often. Either way, it’s important that you don’t avoid this visit as it can help detect, diagnose, and treat any eye issue or vision problem you have.
Whether you’re going to your eye doctor regularly for an annual eye exam or for something more specific, it’s common to have plenty of questions running through your mind. Asking questions is essential to understanding your current eye health status and what you can do to improve it.
Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent and popular questions you should ask your ophthalmologist the next time you schedule a visit with them.
What Tests Are You Performing?
Anytime you visit your eye doctor, they’re going to want to perform a number of tests to analyze the health of your eyes. Since every visit is different, there’s nothing wrong with asking your doctor what kind of tests they’ll be performing and what those tests will say about your eyes.
This will make you feel a little more comfortable and confident as they begin the process. It’ll also open the door to plenty of other questions as they perform the tests.
Can You Explain My Results Further?
Many eye doctors are great at what they do, but very few take the time to fully explain what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and what the results mean. As a patient, you have every right to understand these things and while they don’t always explain it right away, they will if you ask.
Even if they do explain it and you still don’t understand, don’t be afraid to be honest. They want you to feel comfortable about your experience and if that means taking extra time to explain, they will.
How Often Do You Need Me to Visit?
This is an important question to ask because the answer is going to be different for everyone. While most people can get away with one visit every year, other people require several visits if they’re at risk of vision problems – either due to age, family history, or other medical conditions.
Since medical services can be expensive for some, doctors won’t require you to schedule follow-up visits if they’re not needed. When you ask them upfront, you won’t have to guess how often to visit.
What Lifestyle Changes Should I Make?
Your mind, body, and soul are all connected. Every single decision you make, every habit you adopt, and everything you experience in life will have an impact on your overall health and wellness – including your eye health. Every single one of us can benefit from positive change.
As your eye doctor learns more about your eye health, they can help point you in the right direction when making positive lifestyle changes that can improve your eye health in the future.
Will My Condition Improve or Worsen?
If you already have an eye condition or have just been diagnosed with one, one of the first questions on most people’s minds is whether or not it’ll get worse over time. After all, we want to know what to expect as the condition runs its course, that way we can better prepare ourselves.
Some conditions will get worse, some will improve, and some might not see much change. If you’d like to know which one you’re likely to experience, don’t be afraid to ask your eye doctor.
Are There Any Symptoms I Should Be On the Lookout For?
Early detection is extremely important when dealing with any health issue, especially the eyes. By understanding the different symptoms and warning signs of eye problems, you can better monitor your eye health at home. You’ll know what to look for and you’ll know what’s not normal.
The moment you start to experience these symptoms, you should schedule a visit with your eye doctor immediately. Even if it’s something minor, it’s always best to leave no doubt.
Is My Eye Condition Treatable?
Although most eye conditions aren’t curable, a strong majority of them are treatable under the right conditions and care. Especially with the technology and many advancements made in the eye health industry, you’d be surprised by what ophthalmologists can do to treat eye conditions.
If you’re dealing with an eye condition or were recently diagnosed with something, don’t be afraid to ask if it’s treatable and how they might treat it. It’ll give you a sense of confidence.
Am I At Risk of Any Vision Changes In the Future?
Many patients are concerned about the present, but not enough are concerned about what the future holds for their eye health. Since millions of people around the world are at risk of vision changes or eye problems in the future, this is always a good question to ask your eye doctor.
By understanding your risks, you can make the necessary changes and take the many precautions to ensure your eyes remain healthy for as long as possible.
How Can I Better Protect My Eye Health?
Whether you’re at risk of eye diseases, have been diagnosed with an eye disease, or have perfectly healthy eyes, there are always going to be things you can do to better protect your eyes. By asking your doctor this question, you can determine what those things are and when to take action.
Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Exam Today!
At Milwaukee Eye Surgeons, we’re dedicated to ensuring all of our patients have a positive and uplifting experience when visiting the eye doctor. If you’re experiencing any eye symptoms or if it’s been a while since your last ophthalmologist visit, don’t hesitate to schedule an eye exam with us today!
