I had an eye test a few weeks ago and my optician said I had some early cortical changes in lens but didn't give an explanation. He also said I had some torturous vessels at the back of my eye. What is the meaning of these observations?

UHS does not have an ophthalmologist on service and does not offer ophthalmology services, so this is not a question we have the expertise to answer. We recommend that you contact your optician and ask for more information about your diagnosis. If you are not satisfied with his/her explanation, you have the right to get a second opinion from another provider. It is important that you understand your diagnosis so that you can participate in decisions about your health care.

Having more questions after the visit about a diagnosis or a health care provider's statements is not unusual. Sometimes we are just so surprised by what the provider says that we can't really comprehend it right away. In other cases, people may be embarrassed to ask more questions. Sometimes providers get so used to speaking in medical jargon that they don't realize that patients cannot comprehend what they are saying. Whatever the reason for the communication breakdown, patients have the right to fully understand what their providers are saying to them about their condition.

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