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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have signs and symptoms of ocular rosacea, you're likely to first see your primary care doctor. However, in many cases you may be referred immediately to an ophthalmologist.
Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.
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.
- If you've been diagnosed with rosacea, be prepared to discuss your treatment history.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Create a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions for your doctor can help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important. For ocular rosacea, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms?
- Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
Don't hesitate to ask any other questions that arise during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:
- When did your symptoms begin?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Have you noticed any changes in your skin, such as redness, bumps or flushing?
- Have you noticed any changes in vision?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Rosacea. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rosacea/default.asp. Accessed May 14, 2012.
- Bron A. Ocular rosacea. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed May 14, 2012.
- 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/content.aspx?aID=55781421. Accessed May 14, 2012.
- Webster GF. Rosacea. Medical Clinics of North America. 2009;93:1183.
- Paralejo B, et al. Dermatologic and allergic conditions of the eyelid. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. 2008;28:137.
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