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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

Set an appointment with a doctor who specializes in eye care — an optometrist or an ophthalmologist — who can evaluate your condition and perform a complete eye exam.

What you can do
Make the best use of limited time with your doctor by preparing beforehand.

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance.
  • Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to your vision problem.
  • Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
  • Ask a family member or friend to accompany you, if possible. Having your pupils dilated for the eye exam will affect your vision for a time afterward. You may need someone else to drive or accompany you after your appointment.

Questions to ask your eye doctor

  • Can iritis permanently affect my vision?
  • Do I need to come back for any follow up exams? When?
  • What should I do if my symptoms don't go away or seem to worsen?

Questions your eye doctor may ask

  • When did you first notice symptoms?
  • Are symptoms present in one or both eyes?
  • Do you feel pain in your eye after touching your eyelid?
  • Do you have headaches?
  • Does bright light worsen your eye pain?
  • Do you have blurred vision?
  • Do you have trouble seeing things near you, at a distance or both?
  • Have you recently experienced an injury or other trauma to your eye?
  • Have you recently had a viral-like illness?
  • Do you have symptoms of arthritis, such as joint pain?
  • Do you have any sores in your mouth or on your genitals?
  • Have you been diagnosed or treated for iritis before?
  • Have you been diagnosed or treated for any other eye condition?
References
  1. Care of the patient with anterior uveitis. St. Louis, Mo.: American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/documents/CPG-7.pdf. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
  2. Cunningham ET Jr. Uveal tract. In: Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3091280. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
  3. Forster DJ. General approach to the uveitis patient and treatment strategies. In: Yanoff M, et al. Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby, Inc.; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/116823936-3/0/1197/69.html?tocnode=50823224&fromURL=69.html. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
  4. Jacobs DS. Evaluation of the red eye. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
  5. Rosenbaum JT. Uveitis: Etiology; clinical manifestations; and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.
  6. Rosenbaum JT. Uveitis: Treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 7, 2009.

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Feb. 10, 2009

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