What to ask your doctor about your corneal health.
Use this simple checklist to bridge the gap from your primary eye doctor to a corneal specialist, including BostonSight. You can download a PDF version of this checklist here.
Before Your Appointment: Track Your Symptoms
“My eyes hurt” is too broad for a diagnosis. Document the specifics:
The Visual Impact List: Note how your symptoms affect your life. (e.g., “I can only drive for 10 minutes before my vision blurs,” “I cannot use a computer for more than an hour.”)
Track Triggers: Note if your pain/redness is worse in the morning, evening, or in specific environments, like air conditioning.
Failed Treatments Log: List every drop, ointment, or warm compress you have tried and for how long. Specialists need to know what hasn’t worked.
Red Flags Note: If you have experienced sudden light sensitivity, “foreign body” sensation that won’t go away, or cloudiness, put these at the top of your list.
During Your Appointment: Ask for the Referral
If your current treatment has stalled, use these talking points to request a corneal specialist:
Inquire About Specialized Exam: Ask, “I’m interested in what tests we are doing to evaluate my cornea health- do we already do Fluorescein staining, TBUT (Tear Break-Up Time) and other tests? What do they show?”
The “Standard of Care” Question: If a new drop is suggested, ask: “Is this a temporary fix, or is it time to see a corneal specialist to address the underlying surface disease?“”
The Direct Ask: “I feel my condition is complex and impacting my quality of life. I would like a referral to a corneal specialist for further evaluation.
The Insurance Link: Ask the office staff, “Do I need a formal written referral for my insurance to cover a visit to a specialist, or can I self-refer?”
After Your Appointment: Secure the Specialist Visit
Confirm the Referral: Call the specialist’s office 48 hours later to ensure they received your records and the referral from your primary doctor.
Request “Stat” Records: Ask your primary doctor’s office to send your most recent slit-lamp exam notes and any topography maps to the specialist before your arrival.
The “Waiting List” Hack: Specialist wait times can be long. Ask to be put on their cancellation list to get an earlier opening.