YOU, YOUR EYE CARE
PRACTITIONER,
AND YOUR EYES
It is important that you develop a good relationship
with your eye care practitioner, because you may
be seeing a great deal of him or her over a long
period of time. You should have confidence in him/her
and find it comfortable to ask questions. Eye care
practitioners are often very busy, but they should
never be too busy to discuss your case with you.
Find an eye care practitioner with whom you are comfortable.
Then stay with him/her.
Your eye care practitioner needs your cooperation.
He/she has no control over what happens between office
visits. You have. Think of him/her as a partner in
the care of your eyes, but remember that you are
primarily responsible for your own welfare. He/she
is a resource person, a consultant who will prescribe
a program of treatment and/or the medications to
be used in that program.
"...you are responsible for
your own welfare"
Implementing the program is up to you. If you do
not care diligently for your eyes it is unrealistic
to expect anyone else to do so.
Surgery is normally suggested only
if you cannot see well enough with your contact lenses
to drive or function in your work, or if you are
unable to wear contact lenses. If you are not sure
about surgery when it is recommended, seek a second,
independent opinion.
If your eye care practitioner advises you to see
him/her again at a certain time, keep that appointment.
There is a good reason for it, and if you wonder
what it is, ask him/her.
"Be alert to any changes
in your eye condition or in your vision."
Inform any physicians that you may be seeing about
your eye problem and any medication you are taking.
If you are seeing an internist, a cardiologist, a
dermatologist, a dentist or any other health professional,
be sure they know about your keratoconus.
Be alert to any changes in your eye condition or
in your vision. If you experience blurring, scratchiness,
irritation, watering or any discharge, you must contact
your eye care practitioner. This may signal a problem
with your eyes' tolerance of your contact lenses
or the need for refitting. You should, of course,
take normal care of your eyes and avoid the use of
any substance not prescribed by your eye care practitioner.
Women should be careful about cosmetics. Everyone
suffering from KC should wear goggles when swimming
and safety glasses when engaged in yard work or athletics.
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