At Your Appointment

Macular Degeneration Appointment Guide

Ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment. Answer two questions below to personalize your appointment guide.

• Has the doctor diagnosed you or your loved one with macular degeneration?

  1. Yes, diagnosed
  2. No, undiagnosed
• Will this appointment be an in-office visit or an online/telehealth appointment?

  1. In-office visit
  2. Online/telehealth appointment
Submit

Top Questions Your Doctor May Ask You About Macular Degeneration If you’re having a telehealth appointment, it's helpful to keep these things in mind. Test your computer or smartphone to make sure you can log in without difficulties. Since the doctor can’t examine you in person, be very specific about your symptoms. Print this appointment guide or write down your questions so you remember what to ask, and consider having someone sit with you to listen in. Have your medicines with you so you can show the doctor the labels and doses, and if you are interested in a specific treatment, be sure to ask about it.

• Please describe the symptoms and issues you’re having that led you to schedule this online appointment. Start at the beginning of this current episode and tell me how and when things have changed and progressed.
• What are you using to test your eyes at home? An Amsler grid, ForeSee device, or another strategy?
• How often are you testing your eyes at home?
• Have you noticed any changes in seeing straight lines? Blind spots?
• How often do you miss a dose of your ocular vitamin supplements?
• When was your last cholesterol level, blood pressure check, or A1c test? What was the result?
• Do you need help quitting smoking?
• Describe your vision changes or symptoms. Do you have blurry or dim vision, need brighter light to see, notice decreased intensity of colors, or have difficulty recognizing faces?
• Are your vision problems worse when seeing things close up, far away, or both?
• When did you first notice problems or changes with your vision?
• Do you notice vision problems in both eyes or just one?
• Do you smoke or have heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes?
• Do you have a family history of eye disease?
• Are you experiencing eye pain or pressure, sensitivity to light, or other vision changes?
• What strategies have you tried so far to improve your vision? Which ones have been effective?
• What new symptoms or vision problems are you experiencing?

Top Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Macular Degeneration Many people forget to ask important questions at their doctor's appointments. You may want to print or write these questions down before your appointment so you remember to get the answers you need.

• Do my vision problems mean I have macular degeneration?
• Could another condition be causing or contributing to my vision problems?
• What tests do I need to confirm a diagnosis of macular degeneration?
• What treatments are available for macular degeneration?
• What steps can I take to keep my macular degeneration from getting worse?
• What strategies can I use to improve my vision?
• What kind of macular degeneration do I have? What stage is it?
• How does macular degeneration typically progress? What can I do to slow the progression?
• What activities, such as driving, are no longer safe for me? What is a good guideline?
• What low vision aids can help me see better and live independently?
• What lifestyle or diet changes will support my eye health and vision?
• What is the most effective way to monitor my vision at home? What changes should prompt me to call you?
• What are the side effects of eye injections for wet macular degeneration?
• Are my new or different symptoms an indication that my macular degeneration is getting worse?
• What do you think is the best way to treat my case of macular degeneration? Should I consider a clinical trial?

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