--- title: "Patient resources | Eye Health Guide" description: "Prepare for an eye appointment with printable question sheets, a cataract recovery checklist and practical links to local care in your country." url: https://eyehealthguide.org/resources/ source: Eye Health Guide licence: "General information only. Cite the URL and the named medical reviewer." --- Eye Health Guide # Patient resources A little preparation can make an eye appointment easier. Use these sheets to keep your questions, medicines and next steps together. Print only the pages you need, and ask your eye-care team to help fill in the plan. Quick answer Download eight printable sheets: a general appointment planner, questions for six common eye conditions and a cataract recovery checklist. They help you prepare for a conversation with your clinician; they do not diagnose symptoms or choose a treatment. PDF · 8 sheets · A4 These are blank worksheets. You do not send medical details to this website. ### On this page ⌄ 1. My eye appointment 2. Cataracts 3. Glaucoma 4. Age-related macular degeneration 5. Diabetic retinopathy 6. Dry eye 7. Floaters and flashes 8. My cataract recovery plan 9. Local care 01 / 08 ## My eye appointment Write down what you want to get out of this visit. A relative, friend or interpreter can help you remember the conversation; ask the clinic what support is available. ### Questions to discuss - What has changed, when did it start, and is it one eye or both? - Which activities are harder now? What matters most to me? - Which medicines, eye drops, allergies and previous eye treatments should I mention? - What happens next, when is my follow-up, and whom should I contact with concerns? ### References - [National Eye Institute: finding an eye doctor](https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/healthy-vision/finding-eye-doctor) 02 / 08 ## Cataracts Arrange an eye examination if gradual blur or glare affects reading, driving or daily life. Discuss surgery when the cataract limits what you need to do; the decision depends on your eyes and priorities. ### Questions to discuss - How much of my vision change comes from the cataract? - What improvement is realistic for my eyes? - Which lens options fit my daily activities, and when will I still need glasses? - What are my individual risks, follow-up plan and total costs? ### References - [NHS — Cataracts in adults](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cataracts/) - [National Eye Institute - Cataracts](https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts) 03 / 08 ## Glaucoma Keep your planned pressure, optic-nerve and visual-field checks, even if you see well. If you have been prescribed drops, use them as directed and discuss any difficulty with your eye-care team. ### Questions to discuss - What type of glaucoma do I have, and is it changing? - What pressure range are we aiming for in each eye? - Can you watch me use my drops and check the technique? - When are my next nerve scans and visual-field tests? ### References - [NHS — Glaucoma](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/glaucoma/) - [National Eye Institute - Glaucoma](https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma) 04 / 08 ## Age-related macular degeneration Contact an eye-care professional urgently if straight lines newly look wavy or you develop a new central blur or blank spot. Keep scheduled reviews and follow your own monitoring plan. ### Questions to discuss - Do I have dry or wet AMD, and which eye is affected? - Which changes should I report immediately, and to whom? - Would treatment, specific supplements or low-vision support help in my case? - How should I monitor my vision between appointments? ### References - [NHS — Age-related macular degeneration](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/age-related-macular-degeneration-amd/) - [National Eye Institute - Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)](https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration) 05 / 08 ## Diabetic retinopathy Attend diabetic eye screening or retinal examinations on the schedule recommended by your local service. Ask your diabetes team about your individual glucose, blood-pressure and cholesterol targets. ### Questions to discuss - What did the photographs or retinal examination show? - Is there swelling at the macula or a need for treatment? - When is my next screening or specialist appointment? - Which new symptoms mean I should seek help before then? ### References - [NHS — Diabetic retinopathy](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/) - [National Eye Institute - Diabetic Retinopathy](https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/diabetic-retinopathy) 06 / 08 ## Dry eye Take regular screen breaks and reduce direct airflow or smoke exposure. Ask a pharmacist or eye-care professional which lubricating drops suit you. Persistent symptoms need an examination. ### Questions to discuss - Is the main problem tear production, evaporation, eyelids or another cause? - Which drops should I use, how often, and are they suitable for contact lenses? - Would lid care help, and can you show me how? - When should we review whether treatment is working? ### References - [NHS — Dry eyes](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/dry-eyes/) - [National Eye Institute - Dry Eye](https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye) 07 / 08 ## Floaters and flashes Seek urgent assessment for first-time or suddenly increasing floaters or flashes, especially with blurred vision. A dark curtain, shadow or sudden loss of sight needs immediate help. ### Questions to discuss - Was the whole retina examined after the pupil was dilated? - Is there a retinal tear, detachment or another cause? - Do I need another examination, and when? - Which changes should bring me back immediately? ### References - [NHS — Floaters and flashes in the eyes](https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/floaters-and-flashes-in-the-eyes/) - [National Eye Institute - Floaters](https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/floaters) 08 / 08 ## My cataract recovery plan Complete this checklist with your surgical team before going home. Their discharge instructions take priority. Do not change prescribed medicines or invent a drop schedule from this sheet. ### Questions to discuss - Confirm the name, eye, dose, frequency and stop date for each eye drop. Ask about your usual medicines. - Ask the team to demonstrate drops. Wash hands first and keep the bottle tip away from the eye, eyelashes and fingers. - Record the team’s advice about the eye shield, washing, lifting, swimming, work and driving. Arrange help and transport if needed. - Write down your follow-up date and the daytime and out-of-hours contact numbers. ### References - [Guy's and St Thomas': after cataract surgery](https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/cataract-surgery/after-cataract-surgery) - [NHS: cataract surgery](https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cataract-surgery/) Seek help immediately for sudden loss of sight, a dark curtain or severe eye pain. After surgery, urgently contact your surgical team for worsening vision, increasing redness or pain. Do not wait for the next planned visit. General information to discuss with your eye-care team. Follow the personal instructions they give you. Find care where you live ## Choose a regional guide for local services and practical information. Your language does not determine where you receive care. Choose the country or region where you live; every guide is available in English, Spanish and Indonesian. ### Indonesia For routine care through JKN, start with your registered first-level facility (FKTP), such as a puskesmas or clinic. A doctor can refer you to an eye specialist when needed. For an emergency, go to the nearest emergency department (IGD) without waiting for a routine referral. Check active JKN membership, referral requirements and hospital participation with BPJS Kesehatan. Confirm the treatment and lens arrangements with the hospital; this guide cannot promise coverage. - [BPJS Kesehatan ↗](https://www.bpjs-kesehatan.go.id/) - [Mobile JKN: antrean FKRTL ↗](https://bpjs-kesehatan.go.id/user-manual-mobile-jkn/mobilejkn/antreanfkrtl.html) ### United Kingdom An optometrist can check routine vision changes and arrange an eye-service referral. Urgent pathways differ across the UK. NHS 111 can help direct urgent care when you are unsure; sudden sight loss or a serious eye injury needs emergency assessment. Eligibility for NHS-funded sight tests depends on your circumstances and the UK nation where you live. Ask the optician or local NHS service what applies before booking. - [NHS: opticians and sight tests ↗](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/) - [NHS: when to use 111 ↗](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/) ### United States An optometrist or ophthalmologist can assess your eyes. The National Eye Institute explains how to find a provider. Contact an eye-care service promptly for new symptoms; use emergency care for sudden sight loss or serious injury. Check whether your appointment is covered by medical insurance, a vision plan or neither, and whether the provider is in network. Ask about the examination, imaging, treatment and follow-up costs separately. - [National Eye Institute: finding an eye doctor ↗](https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/healthy-vision/finding-eye-doctor) ### India For routine care, contact a local eye clinic, public hospital eye department or primary health centre. Bring previous reports and current medicines. Sudden loss of sight or serious injury needs urgent hospital assessment. If using AB PM-JAY or a state scheme, check your eligibility, the participating hospital and the proposed treatment before booking. A hospital listing alone does not guarantee that every procedure is covered. - [National Health Authority: hospital search ↗](https://hem.nha.gov.in/search) - [Ministry of Health: AB PM-JAY ↗](https://www.mohfw-dohfw.gov.in/documents/press-release/update-on-ab-pmjay-AjNzkTNtQWa) ### Latin America Referral routes differ between countries and public, social-security and private services. Ask your usual health centre or insurer how to see an ophthalmologist. For sudden sight loss or serious injury, use your local emergency service. Confirm referral rules, waiting lists and charges with your own health service. The official Mexican cataract programme below applies to Mexico; it is not a scheme for the whole region. - [México: estrategia Ver por México ↗](https://www.gob.mx/salud/acciones-y-programas/convenio-especifico-de-intercambio-de-servicios-relacionado-con-la-estrategia-nacional-de-cirugia-de-catarata)