Eye Health Center
A Visit to the Eye Doctor
Because you value your sight, it is important to be proactive in your eye health. Taking a role in maintaining your sight and preventing its loss includes choosing a health care provider best suited for your needs -- one who has the right training and experience, can give proper diagnosis and treatment, is informative, promotes the best possible outcome, and guides your care through genuine concern.
How to choose an optometrist or ophthalmologist:
Understanding Glaucoma -- Symptoms
It's important to keep in mind that most people with open-angle glaucoma -- the most common type affecting over 75% of people with the condition -- have no symptoms until they have lost a significant amount of vision. That is why it's very important to get regular eye exams with an eye doctor, particularly if there is a family history of glaucoma. The symptoms vary depending on the type of glaucoma.
Read the Understanding Glaucoma -- Symptoms article > >
- Qualifications. Having a solid set of credentials is one quality indicator of a good health care provider. Making sure that the professional has the proper and adequate training to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease can help you decide which doctor will best serve your eye health needs. Both your optometrist (OD) and ophthalmologist (DO or MD) should be certified through an accredited medical institution and be licensed to practice through the respective state board of optometry or state medical board. Ophthalmologists should, in addition, have internship and residency experience. Certificates and licenses should be displayed in conspicuous areas. You may confirm their credentials through the appropriate state board prior to your visit.
- Experience. That fact that a doctor has been in practice for some time, even if in the same city or region, is no guarantee that they have good skills or judgment. If you are considering a specific type of treatment like surgery, ask your surgeon how many cases he or she has done. Ask about complications they have treated and concerns you may have.
You may also want to know if she participates in medical research or medical education. An eye health professional that participates in and is current with the latest research and education of their field is more knowledgeable about the latest techniques in diagnosing and treating eye disease and visual disorders. There are many forms of research. Participating in research at a hospital or university indicates that a doctor is in contact with others who are active in their profession; but many practitioners in private practice are equally or better skilled in certain areas.
- Services offered. Choosing an eye health professional who is able to provide a wide range of services is beneficial, but you also should select your provider by what services you do need. One who provides fewer services may sometimes be able to provide more specialization with a service or certain diseases, such as glaucoma and cataracts. You should examine your eye health needs to determine which health care provider you should see.
Some doctors promote the newest technology in their offices as a sign of better care. However, specialized tests such as corneal and retinal scanning are only medically necessary for very specific conditions. They are not screening devices and often lead to other tests because of questionable results. Visual field tests are indicated only for certain conditions such as glaucoma or neurologic disorders and aren't done frequently. Be sure you ask and understand why the doctor has ordered or performed expensive tests and make sure you know what has been billed to both you and your insurance company.
- Patient satisfaction. Making patients happy is very important. There is a cliché about the word of mouth being faster and far more effective than any form of advertising. Knowing that patients have consumer loyalty to their health care provider, but also encourage others to see their own doctor, is a very good indicator of quality.
Once you've seen your provider, determine if you are satisfied and comfortable with the outcome of your visit. You should be able to answer "yes" to such questions as:
- Were you seen in a timely manner?
- Was the examiner thorough?
- Did he/she address all of your concerns and follow up with any possible complications or questions you had?
- Will you return?
- Will you recommend him/her to others?
WebMD Medical Reference
