Finding a good doctor can be frustrating. How do I know who is good? Where do I look? Do I need an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist?
In order to determine which type of doctor is best for your current issue, you first need to know the difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists. Optometrists are Doctors of Optometry, or ODs, which means they are capable of giving eye exams and writing prescriptions for glasses, contacts, and medications. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors, or MDs, who are physicians qualified to perform the full array of eye diagnostics and procedures, including surgery. Ophthalmologists generally deal with more disease-state and surgery-related issues. (For more information see Optometrists versus Ophthalmologists)
After understanding the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, the next step in finding a good eye doctor is to assess why you need to see a doctor.
Assess your Condition
For the following list of conditions, an optometrist may be the best place to start:
- You’re not seeing as clearly as you once could & the change has been gradual
- You haven’t had an eye exam in over a year
- You need new contact lenses or glasses
An ophthalmologist may be a good place to start for most other eye-related issues because they are able to treat any and all eye conditions. The following list includes some examples of when you should consult an ophthalmologist:
- You have an eye condition or injury
- You’re experiencing a sudden change in your vision
- You want an annual eye exam performed by an MD
- You have a family history of eye disease, such as macular degeneration, and you feel an MD may be needed.
- You have an eye infection
- You have been referred to an ophthalmologist by another doctor
If you are uncertain which type of doctor to choose, contact a doctor’s office and explain your condition. They should be able to help you determine what type of doctor would be best for your situation. Once you know which type of eye doctor is for right for you, you’ll need to find the best doctor in that field of eye care.
Find a Good Eye Doctor
Once you’ve determined which type of eye care professional you are going to visit, you need to narrow down which specific doctor to contact. If you have insurance coverage, obtain a list of providers covered to help you narrow your search. Next, use the following ways to start finding a doctor:
- Ask for referrals. Your friends, family members or primary care physician may give you some positive feedback on a particular eye doctor.
- Search online. This can be done a number of ways. You can either find a directory listing of doctors (such as doctorlocate.com) or go directly to a specific doctor’s website. Finding a doctor’s website can be beneficial because you can learn more about the doctor’s qualifications, experience and areas of specialization (e.g., glaucoma, cataracts, LASIK eye surgery, etc.).
- Seek out a Board Certified physician when searching for an ophthalmologist. Board certification is an optional and rigorous two-part exam given by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Doctors are tested on knowledge, skill, and experience.
- Consult your local Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB provides ratings and information about eye doctors and their practice. See if there have been any complaints against an eye doctor you are considering before you choose to trust them with your eyes.
Regardless of which eye care professional you choose, either optometrist or ophthalmologist, most doctors are quality professionals able to rectify your eye-related issues.
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