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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you suspect that you have Fuchs' dystrophy, make an appointment to see an eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist). In some cases, you may end up seeing an ophthalmologist who specializes in corneal disease.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including family history of eye conditions.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. 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 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 Fuchs' dystrophy, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What is the best course of action?
- How rapidly will my condition progress?
- What can I expect will ultimately happen to my vision?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that 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 me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What Web sites 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 whenever you don't understand something.
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:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous, or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Do your symptoms change throughout the day?
- Do you have a family member with Fuchs' dystrophy?
- Afshari NA, et al. Clinical study of Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy leading to penetrating keratoplasty. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2006;124:777.
- Biswell R. Cornea. In: Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology, 17th edition. Columbus, Ohio: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008.
- Facts about the cornea and corneal disease. National Eye Institute. http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cornealdisease. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Genetic and rare diseases information center. Office of Rare Diseases Research. http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/QnA.aspx?PageID=4&CaseID=23860&DiseaseID=9678. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Visiting your doctor. The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation. http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com/index.html. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Coping tips. The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation. http://www.fuchs-dystrophy.com/html/tips_for_you_to_alleviate_symp.html. Accessed June 18, 2009.
- Cornea conditions and updates. Cornea Research Foundation of America. http://www.cornea.org/crf_cornea.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- Artificial cornea. Cornea Research Foundation of America. http://www.cornea.org/study_cornea.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- 9. Current Fuchs' corneal dystrophy studies. The Corneal Dystrophy Foundation. http://www.cornealdystrophyfoundation.org/html/studies.html. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 1, 2009.
