Having my initial appointment
Who may be involved:
Optometrists / ophthalmic opticians
Ophthalomologists / ophthalmic nurses
Support organisations [link to agreed list from Perspectif]
Am I able to ask questions and how do I do this?
Yes, you can ask questions at any time. You should be able to find out:
- who I am seeing and why
- what tests I am likely to have and why I am having them
Don’t be afraid to ask any of the staff you come into contact with. If they themselves cannot answer, they should refer you to a person who can. If your appointment was at the eye clinic of a hospital, this might be an ECLO. If your appointment is at a high street optician, then you should speak to an optometrist.
If you forgot to ask a question at your appointment, don’t be afraid to contact them again to follow up on anything that worries you.
What support might I need after my appointment and what happens next?
If you have any doubts about what support might be useful to you (you often won’t know by yourself) we recommend you get in touch with an organisation that has a specialist knowledge of your condition. One or more of the following should help:
Other specialist organisations can be found at by selecting your condition from the About Eye Conditions dropdown list on Perspectif.
They may also be able to tell you what is likely to happen next. However, you should be able to contact a person at the place where you will be having your appointment.
If you need to be referred for more tests or treatment - you have the right to choose the hospital or service you would like to go to.
I have had a change in my vision while waiting for my appointment. What should I do?
Go back to the optometrist or contact your ophthalmology department if you have any changes in your sight which you’re worried about. See ‘sudden changes in vision’ above. [link back to list above]
How do I get information and advice about my eye condition?
Your ophthalmologist and their staff should be able to give you the information you need. However, you might need to ask someone in a less pressured environment than the eye clinic. You may wish to discuss your condition more freely and talk about how it is affecting your lifestyle. A specialist organisation might suit you better in this situation:
In addition to the organisations you can learn more about your eye condition at the About Eye Conditions dropdown list on Perspectif and selecting your condition. This will take you to a glossary where relevant services and publications are listed beneath.
How do I access emotional support?
The organisations above should be able to provide emotional support. There is also a list of organisations at this emotional support page at Perspectif.
How long might I be waiting and how urgently should I be seen?
Waiting times vary depending on the urgency of your case and the availability of resources. Your ophthalmology department should be able to update you on the waiting list if you contact them. It helps to let them know that you are keen to be seen as soon as possible.
I would like to be well prepared for my appointment. What do I need to do?
- You can prepare questions you may have in advance;
- You can let the hospital know in advance of any support needs you may have;
- You might be able to get help with transport to your appointment [more about transport]