Glaucoma doesn’t usually present any symptoms until irreparable damage has already been done to your optic nerve and you begin to experience vision loss. For this reason, if you’ve just received a glaucoma diagnosis, it can seem sudden and scary, and you probably have a lot of questions about your eyes and your future. Educating yourself and getting proper care will go a long way toward helping you successfully navigate your new glaucoma diagnosis and what’s to come.*

Preparing for your first ophthalmology appointment

One of the first things your eye doctor will do if they think you have glaucoma is refer you to an ophthalmologist who specializes in glaucoma. When you make your appointment, ask if there is anything you need to do beforehand and if there is anything you need to bring with you. 

You’ll likely need:

• Your health insurance information and a photo ID
• Eyeglasses or contact lenses, if you currently wear either
• List of any medications, vitamins, and supplements you take
• A notepad and pen or pencil to write down key points

You may also be advised to bring a friend or relative who can drive you home in case your eyes need to be dilated during the examination. 

Questions your doctor may ask you

Since any aspect of your health can affect other aspects, your doctor will ask questions about both your vision and your overall health and lifestyle. 

To save time and help the doctor formulate an accurate diagnosis and treatment regimen, prepare to be asked the following questions:

• When did you first notice your vision problem?
• What are your symptoms, and do they affect both eyes?
• Do you have trouble seeing things up close, at a distance, or both?
• Do you smoke?
• Do you have any medical conditions, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes?
• What types of food do you eat?
• What allergies do you have, if any?
• Do you have a family history of glaucoma?

Questions to ask your doctor

It’s important for you to understand your condition and its treatment, as well as to be proactive about any precautions you can take or lifestyle changes you can make to preserve your vision and maintain quality of life. 

Some helpful questions to ask your doctor include:

• What tests are you conducting?
• What kind of glaucoma do I have?
• What is my current intraocular pressure (IOP), and what is my target pressure?
• What is the best treatment option for my glaucoma, and why?
• What sort of symptoms of disease progression should I look out for?
• What should I do if I experience side effects from my medications?
• Is it safe for me to drive? 
• What are my prospects if I choose to do nothing right now?
• Should my children be checked for glaucoma?
• How will my treatments be paid for? 
• Are there any activities I should avoid?
• Are there any low-vision aids or therapies that can help me save my eyesight?

Make sure that you understand your situation and have satisfactory answers to your questions before leaving the office. In addition to answering your questions, your doctor may also refer you to a certified low-vision therapist. This type of therapist can assist you in finding low-vision aids and suggest useful home modifications for your safety and convenience.

*BrightFocus Foundation. (2018, Nov. 13). Glaucoma: Newly Diagnosed. https://www.brightfocus.org/glaucoma/newly-diagnosed

Any sources from outside of Prevent Blindness do not imply an endorsement from Prevent Blindness. The contents of the material used are the responsibility of the authoring organization, Responsum Health.