You must have come across different eye specialists while searching for an eye doctor. Among them are opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists. Each specialist deals with various aspects of eye care, so know which one is right for you. Optometrists specifically deal with examining, diagnosing, and treating your eyes.
If you need these primary care services, here are some tips to help you find an optometrist near you.
Start With Referrals
Talk to your friends and family. Get to know if they have any recommendations for an optometrist. When you get these referrals, list them and start researching each one. You can also search the American Board of Optometry’s website for referrals.
Research Each One
Always take your time to research each optometrist’s experience and credentials. Check whether they have the appropriate training and certification to examine, diagnose, and treat your eyes. These credentials may include a degree in medicine and a postgraduate four-year doctor of optometry certification.
Also, confirm if the optometrist has a history of disciplinary actions or malpractice claims. You can check all these on the state websites.
Check Their Experience
The more experience an optometrist has with a procedure or condition, the better your results. Thus, it is an advantage for you. You are less likely to lose sight due to an eye condition or problem.
You can check an optometrist’s experience by speaking to the patients. Ask about their specific condition and how the treatment is serving them. You can also ask about procedures and get to know how many times the optometrist has come across them.
Check How They Communicate
Book an appointment and get to talk to the optometrist. Evaluate how comfortable you are talking to them. Ask them questions about risks and complication rates. Do they welcome these questions?
Also, observe how they explain them to you. Are they confident and answer these, or do they leave you feeling unsure? Clarity is part of comfort since it leaves you understanding what will happen to your body during treatment. Finally, check if they respect your decision-making process.
Go Online
Find their reviews and patient satisfaction surveys online. Read what other people have to say about them. It will give you insight into the optometrist’s practice. You will know about their scheduling, office environment, wait times, and staff friendliness. You will also understand how much other patients trust the doctor and how friendly they are.
Visit the Hospital or Practice
Visit the hospital or the practice. It matters since it lets you know if they have the latest technology. You will also get to check if they have facilities where you can be comfortable. Also, check if they can serve you in case of an emergency.
Will Your Insurance Apply?
Choose an optometrist who is on your insurance cover. Make sure you get the most insurance benefits from them and pay the least out-of-pocket. After confirming all the above, you can schedule your appointment.
For more information on choosing an optometrist, call Abraham Eye Associates at (484) 209-0800 to reach our Villanova, Pennsylvania office.
