Most people don’t necessarily look forward to eye checkups, but when you find professional eye experts who make you feel welcome an eye exam can be a pleasant experience. Whitefish Eye Center has been administering eye checkups to the people of Flathead County, Montana, for more than 40 years, and they understand the importance of combining expert medical care with a warm bedside manner.

If you haven’t been to the eye doctor in a while, you might be feeling anxious about what to expect during your appointment. Dr. Kurt Blades and Dr. Michelle Botner of Whitefish Eye Center have treated hundreds of patients in the Whitefish community and are committed to making you feel as comfortable and prepared as possible for your vision care appointment.

Drawing on their years of experience, they’ve come up with this list of questions you should think about before your appointment:

• General Vision Issues: Have you noticed any eye issues recently? Blurred vision, poor vision at night/in the dark, or double vision can all point toward various problems with the inner workings of your eyes. Talking with your doctor at your eye checkup will help alleviate any worry and start you on your path toward better vision. 
• Trouble With Colors: Do you have difficulty distinguishing between colors such as red and green? Speak to your eye doctor about this issue, since this could be an indicator of color blindness.
• Difficulty With Certain Activities: Do you have a vision problem that makes you afraid to do certain activities? If so, make sure to tell your eye doctor, as this information may impact your diagnosis and treatment.
• Family History: Does your family history include any eye problems such as cataracts or glaucoma? These conditions can be genetically inherited. Talk to your relatives to get a full picture of your family medical history, and share any relevant information with your doctor.

Whether you’re scheduling a routine eye exam for yourself or a first appointment for your child, thinking about these questions before your eye exam is a good way to prepare. The family-friendly doctors at Whitefish Eye Center also advise patients to bring the following items to their appointment: your current eyeglasses or contacts (if you have them), a list of any medications you’re taking, your vision insurance information, and the name of your current primary healthcare provider.