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Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you're having difficulty with your vision, you'll likely start by seeing an eye doctor (ophthalmologist). If your eye doctor determines that you may need a cornea transplant, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist who has had special training in corneal surgery.

Because appointments can be brief and there's often a lot to talk about, it's a good idea to be prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready, and what to expect from your eye doctor.

What you can do

  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. Also, write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, including eyedrops, vitamins and supplements that you're using or taking.
  • Ask a family member or friend to come with you. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For keratoconus, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What do you think is causing my symptoms?
  • Are there any other possible causes for my symptoms?
  • Do I need any special tests?
  • Is this condition temporary?
  • What treatments are available? Which do you recommend?
  • Are there alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
  • I have another health condition. How can I best manage these conditions together?
  • Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

  • What types of signs and symptoms have you been having?
  • When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
  • Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are your symptoms?
  • Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Does anyone in your family have keratoconus?
Tests and diagnosis Complications
References
  1. Keratoconus. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/keratoconus.xml. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  2. What is the cornea? National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cornealdisease/. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  3. Keratoconus. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye_disorders/corneal_disorders/keratoconus.html?qt=keratoconus&alt=sh. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  4. Yanoff M, ed., et al. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Edinburgh, U.K.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/212799885-2/0/1869/0.html. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  5. Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=720. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  6. Keratoconus symptoms. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/keratoconus-symptoms.cfm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
  7. Bower KS. Laser refractive surgery. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
  8. Romero-Jimenez M, et al. Keratoconus: A review. Contact Lens & Anterior Eye. 2010;33:157.
  9. Keratoconus treatment. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/keratoconus-treatment.cfm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
  10. What causes keratoconus? American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/keratoconus-cause.cfm. Accessed Nov. 26, 2012.
  11. Kymes SM, et al. Changes in the quality-of-life of people with keratoconus. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2008;145:611.
  12. Keratoconus diagnosis. American Academy of Ophthalmology. www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/keratoconus-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
  13. Comprehensive eye and vision examination. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/x4725.xml. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  14. Li Y, et al. Corneal epithelial thickness mapping by Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography in normal and keratoconic eyes. Ophthalmology. 2011;30:1510.
  15. Barnett M, et al. Contact lenses in the management of keratoconus. Cornea. 2011;30:1510.
  16. Schornack MM, et al. Scleral lenses in the management of keratoconus. Eye & Contact Lens. 2010;36:39.
  17. Jhanji V, et al. Management of keratoconus: Current scenario. The British Journal of Ophthalmology. 2011;95:1044.
  18. Evaluation of the ophthalmologic patient. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye_disorders/approach_to_the_ophthalmologic_patient/evaluation_of_the_ophthalmologic_patient.html?qt=slit%20lamp&alt=sh#v1152031. Accessed Nov. 28, 2012.
  19. Sugar J, et al. What causes keratonconus? Cornea. 2012;31:716.
  20. Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 21, 2012.
  21. Keratoconus. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/keratoconus.xml. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  22. What is the cornea? National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cornealdisease/. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  23. Keratoconus. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/eye_disorders/corneal_disorders/keratoconus.html?qt=keratoconus&alt=sh. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  24. Comprehensive eye and vision examination. American Optometric Association. http://www.aoa.org/eye-exams.xml. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  25. Yanoff M, ed., et al. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Edinburgh, U.K.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/212799885-2/0/1869/0.html. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
  26. Keratoconus diagnosis. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/keratoconus-diagnosis.cfm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
  27. Romero-Jimenez M, et al. Keratoconus: A review. Contact Lens & Anterior Eye. 2010;33:157.
  28. Barnett M, et al. Contact lenses in the management of keratoconus. Cornea. 2011;30:1510.
DS01116 Feb. 20, 2013

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