eye exam question

Going in for an OCT for Macular Pucker diagnosis later today.  The Retina Specialist also does a Glaucoma test where the tip of the Tonometer touches the eyeball.
Questions:
1) How do I go about asking the tech to sanitize the Tonometer IN FRONT OF ME as opposed to him just telling me that it has been cleaned.  I've read that pink eye and many many infections & diseases can be transmitted from patient to patient with this tip re-touching patients.
2) How much detail should be reviewed between the Dr. an me in regards to the OCT results ?  My first 3 Retina Specialists barely looked at the OCT results with me.  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

1. Ask them if you're that compulsive
2. Some people don't want to know any thing about the tests; others would spend all day talking about them if they could. Ask for what detail you need.
3. Realize that with what is happening in medicine and with 34M more people put into the system that the time that doctors and nurses can spend with patients is going to plummet.

JCH MD

[homecrafter]

Thanks Dr. Hagan,
I have already noticed that the time Doctors spend with patients has plummeted already.

I can't and don't even want to try to fix the system, but I am an informed patient looking out for
my best interest and think a Doctor could maximize their 5 minutes giving the patient some useful patient-specific information after they perform expensive OCT tests, etc.

I guess the better way to approach this is to ask you how I can become a better patient that a Doctor will want to work with?  (Short of putting my head in the sand and trusting, without verifying, everything a total stranger tells me, even if he is a Doctor)  

I'm trying to keep a good positive attitude.  Is there any advice you can share from your perspective?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Well physicians are always looking for people seeking to  be good patients: today I've had a number of patients that were not interested in losing weight, exercise, stopping smoking, taking their medications, etc.

Making a list of your questions is a good way and if the doctor trys to leave say "I have just two questions that are very important to ask you".

You can ask for copies of your lab work, tests, x rays, even consultations.

Making friends with the doctor's technicians or nurses is a great idea, often you spend more time with them. They can be informative or they can obtain the answers and call you back.

JCH MD

[homecrafter]

That is great advice Dr. Hagan, I hope all that are reading this exchange are benefiting from your perspective.
Afterall, just "complaining" about the system doesn't accomplish anything, does it ?

Thanks again for taking the time to help us all here.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You're welcome. JHagan MD, FACS, FAAO