Do you have an appointment coming up with your eye doctor? With some preparation, you can ensure you gain the maximum benefit from your appointment.
Visits to the Dell Laser Consultants office offer the opportunity for you to speak with an eye care professional on a one-on-one basis. Your eye exam or appointment is the time to discuss any concerns and any treatment options that may interest you, such as LASIK.
Keep reading to learn how to get the most out of your next appointment with your eye doctor!
1. Relay Any Vision Concerns
Have you noticed any changes to your vision lately? Any time you meet with your eye doctor, you should relay any vision concerns, whether you’ve been experiencing dryness, foggy vision, or anything else.
Your ophthalmologist is here to listen to your concerns, examine the condition of your eyes, and find a solution that works for you. One of the most common eye conditions many patients deal with is dry eye syndrome.
Dry Eye Syndrome
As many as 50 million Americans are affected by this chronic disease. Dry eye syndrome occurs when your eyes cannot produce enough tears or the tears produced are low in quality and cannot provide sufficient nutrients.
Fortunately, many effective treatment options exist, from artificial tears, gels, and ointments to punctal plugs and even a massaging treatment. Dell Laser Consultants specializes in advanced treatments for dry eye syndrome, with the only comprehensive dry eye clinic in Central Texas.
When you treat dry eye with us, you’ll receive the most specialized and state-of-the-art treatment. Tell your eye doctor if you’re experiencing a burning, gritty, or stinging sensation, redness, light sensitivity, trouble seeing at night, or overall impaired vision. They’ll be able to identify the cause of your symptoms.
Cataracts
Another common condition that may alter your ability to see is cataracts. If your vision has gotten foggy, colors look faded, or you’re having trouble seeing at night, mention your symptoms to your eye doctor.
Surgery can restore clear vision when a cataract gets in the way of your daily life.
No matter how insignificant it may seem, any change is worth mentioning to your ophthalmologist. Sometimes, even subtle changes can indicate a more significant issue.
For example, blurry vision, headache, and colored halos around lights can be early warning signs of glaucoma. Because glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness, early intervention is critical.
You may find it helpful to jot down notes on any vision changes you’ve noticed since your last visit. That way, you can inform your eye doctor and avoid missing anything. The more your ophthalmologist understands your symptoms, the more they will be able to help.
2. Bring a List of Questions
Have you ever gotten home from an appointment and remembered something you forgot to discuss with your doctor? Just like you’re far less likely to forget something at the grocery store when you bring a list, it’s much more beneficial to bring a list of questions to your next visit with your eye doctor.
While you can always make a phone call after your appointment, having all your questions answered face-to-face with your doctor is much more convenient. If you have an appointment scheduled soon, start thinking about any questions you may have.
For example, you may have questions about an upcoming procedure or your recent recovery after having a different procedure. You may wonder whether you’re a good fit for LASIK to correct your vision.
Regardless of your questions, compiling a list is always a good idea so you don’t forget anything. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have. Whether the topic is dry eye syndrome, cataracts, or anything else, our goal is for our patients to be as informed as possible.
3. Tell Your Eye Doctor If You’re Interested in LASIK
Do you want to get LASIK? LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Millions of patients around the world have gotten LASIK and are now living their best lives because of it. At Dell Laser Consultants, we use the advanced technology of Custom Wavefront-Guided LASIK™ to deliver optimal results. Achieving visual freedom and saying goodbye to glasses and contact lenses is possible, but you must qualify for LASIK.
If you’re interested in getting LASIK, the first step is to schedule a LASIK consultation. As incredible as LASIK and its potential results are, not everyone will qualify as a candidate for LASIK.
Your eye doctor will examine your eyes and discuss your visual goals to determine whether LASIK is right for you. During a LASIK consultation, they will perform a comprehensive eye examination, measuring pupil size, corneal thickness, and other parameters necessary for LASIK candidacy.
Refractive Lens Exchange
Your ophthalmologist may recommend an alternative procedure if you are not a good LASIK candidate. Some potential LASIK candidates may be better suited for another permanent vision correction procedure called refractive lens exchange or RLE.
RLE is nearly identical to cataract surgery, except you do not have to remove a cataract to correct your vision. You’ll have the natural lens removed and replaced with an intraocular lens to improve vision at all distances.
RLE can treat presbyopia, which makes it more difficult to read and see things up close. Although RLE can be a LASIK alternative, RLE is typically recommended for patients who are 40 or older. If RLE sounds like a good fit for you, discuss it with your eye doctor.
Do you need to schedule your next eye appointment? Make your eyes and their health a priority by requesting an appointment at Dell Laser Consultants in Austin, TX, today! You only get one set of eyes, so treat them right!
