Taking a History

   This can be relatively brief or quite detailed and may contain up to three components. You will be asked questions about the chief complaint/reason for visit and history of present illness including location, duration, timing, severity, associated symptoms, and modifying factors. The past medical/family/social history may include questions about prior eye or visual system problems, hospitalizations, medications, medicine allergies, and educational issues as well as possible exposure to toxic substances. A review of systems may inquire about current or past symptoms or physical problems throughout the body, including skin, musculo-skeletal, ear/nose/throat, respiratory, cardiac, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hematologic, endocrine, neurologic, and/or psychiatric. If lenses have been prescribed previously by another examiner, I will want to check the power on my machine - so please bring "old" glasses even if they are not currently being worn.