An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care and is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. Eye care is an important part of one's overall health care. Read on to learn more about choosing the right eye-care professional for you.
6 Tips for choosing the right ophthalmologist for eye care
During a checkup, the eye doctor will first take a medical history. They will then check the patient's visual acuity, pupils, retina, optic nerve, peripheral vision, eye movements, and eye pressure. Some people will need additional testing (e.g., topography, OCT).
Below are some helpful tips for finding an ophthalmologist that is a good fit for them:
1. Referrals, reviews, and credentials
Asking friends, family, and coworkers for their referrals is a great idea. It is necessary for those who ask others for referrals to ask about the details of why they are referring any particular ophthalmologist. Looking at their reviews online is also suggested, as this allows potential new patients to understand more about past or current patient experiences. It is also essential to look at an ophthalmologist's credentials in order to learn more about their academic and professional qualifications.
2. Communication style
Learning more about an ophthalmologist's communication style can be achieved by making a meet-and-greet appointment with the eye-care team. Potential patients are encouraged to ask as many questions as they want and should pay very close attention to the answers and the way they are answered. It really is important for all eye-care patients to be able to efficiently communicate with their ophthalmology office.
3. Gender
Those who are in need of a new ophthalmologist need to consider whether they want to choose a female or a male ophthalmologist. While many eye-care patients do not mind being treated by either gender, many others will prefer to be treated by either a female or a male as a matter of comfort.
4. Experience
Choosing an ophthalmologist who has plenty of experience is a good idea. While this type of eye-care professional is one who has many years of education and training, it is also important to make sure that they have plenty of experience treating patients. When they do, they are more likely to have more knowledge when it comes to treating a wide range of eye conditions.
5. Specialty
Ophthalmology is a subspecialty of medicine, and just as most doctors have a preferred method of treating a certain condition, so too do most ophthalmologists.
A consultation with potential ophthalmologists may reveal, for instance, that some focus on glaucoma treatment, while others are more experienced in handling cataracts or LASIK surgery. Working with an ophthalmologist who has chosen to focus on one’s specific diagnosis or eye problem means that one will have access to the most cutting-edge knowledge and care available.
6. Available services
The services, tools, and supplies offered by an eye clinic may also play a role in influencing a patient's decision about choosing an eye doctor. For routine eye care, going to an eye center where everything is taken care of under one roof is the most convenient option. Patients may find it inconvenient to visit many locations in search of regular eye-care services like eye exams and frame selection.
If patients have any suspicion that they may have an eye disease that requires additional or sophisticated testing, then they should give serious thought to the services offered in an eye-care center. So, before scheduling an appointment, patients should call the eye care center to find out what services they provide and how they handle advanced treatment.
7. Waiting period
Patients may not have time to wait for many hours just to see an eye doctor. Long waiting times may cause patients to put off getting their eyes checked until later. It helps to find out what hours the eye doctor is open or if one needs to work around their set schedule. Patients should also inquire as to the level of patient traffic at the eye center, as well as whether or not appointments may be scheduled in advance. The inquiries might help one decide on an eye doctor.
Ready to schedule your eye care appointment?
Now that you know how to find an ophthalmologist that is right for you, you can feel confident in choosing one that you will be comfortable with. Because this type of eye-care professional is one who has advanced training, they can treat more eye-related conditions and diseases than optometrists and opticians can.
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