What happens during an appointment with an ophthalmologist

Appointments with ophthalmologists are often lengthy. Therefore, it is advisable to bring your own form of entertainment while you wait, such as your phone and headphones to listen to music (remember to bring a charger or an extra battery). You could also bring a book, but any activity that requires straining your eyes will become a little difficult after the technician attends to you. Also, it is never a bad idea to bring snacks or even lunch, especially if you have any other medical condition. It is very important that you go with someone else since they will be checking your eyes and it is not recommended that you drive. If possible, avoid any unforeseen circumstances by making adjustments to your schedule or taking the day off to attend your appointment without any problems or pressure. This is especially important if the appointment is for a child. Generally, both follow-up appointments and consultations run like the following:

Medical history

As with any initial appointment with a physician, the first part of the evaluation is the writing down your medical record. The appropriate people, either the patient or a legal guardian, must provide the information required for the medical evaluation to begin. The exhaustive collection of information to establish the patient's history is one of the most critical aspects when establishing the differential diagnosis (list of diseases a patient may have), especially in cases of uveitis. Some of the questions that physicians may ask you will be in reference to the following:

Ocular symptoms

Systemic symptoms

Problems with your eyes

Diseases which you have been diagnosed with or suffer from

Allergies

Past surgical procedures

Hospitalizations

Other questions, a bit more personal, that you might be asked include:

Family history

Use of illegal drugs

Alcohol and tobacco use

Sexual activity

Pets

Diet

Consumption of raw meats

Insect bites

Tattoos

Occupation

Hobbies

Travel

Clinical evaluation and ocular examination

Generally, ophthalmologists work in collaboration with an ophthalmic technician. This professional is the person in charge of evaluating the patient before they are evaluated by the physician. The technician is the person in charge of recording symptoms, weight, height, taking intraocular pressure and dilating the pupils with the use of eye drops. In addition, they also perform most of the following visual tests: visual acuity test (Snellen), visual field test, optical coherence tomography (OCT), electroretinography (ERG), among other non-invasive tests. Don't worry: none of these tests are painful. After you have been evaluated by the technician, you will wait to be evaluated by the doctor. The ophthalmologist will check the general condition of your eyes, ask questions about your symptoms and look inside your eyes using a slit lamp. On some occasions, they may also use other instruments to observe your eyes, such as: gonioscope, direct or indirect ophthalmoscope, among others. Like the tests mentioned previously, none of these tests are invasive or painful. However, it is very likely that, after the appointment, you will feel exhausted and your eyes may feel a bit strained. Be sure to get adequate rest once you get home. Remember to ask for a medical excuse if you need evidence for school or work.