Evaluating an Eye Doctor

• What questions should you ask yourself to choose an eye doctor?
• What questions could you ask to evaluate the eyecare professional?
• What should you consider when choosing an eyecare professional for a child?

Now that you're ready to visit your eye doctor or surgeon, how can you be sure that this eyecare professional is qualified and a good match for you? There are a number of questions that you should ask that address both the skill of the doctor and your comfort level with the doctor, the practice, and the fees and insurance plans. Don't be shy about asking questions. If a potential doctor has a problem with your questions or does not want to take the time to answer them, it's a good idea to look elsewhere. Asking the questions will also give you an opportunity to find out if you are comfortable talking with the doctor.

What questions should you ask yourself to choose an eye doctor?

• Is the location of the doctor's office important? How far am I willing to travel to see a doctor?
• Do I prefer an independent eye doctor or one in a group practice?
• Do I want to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist?
• Is this doctor covered by my insurance plan?
• Is the hospital where the doctor admits patients important to me?
• Does the doctor accept Medicare?
• Is the age, sex, race or religion of the doctor important to me?

After you establish the criteria you want, look for an eye doctor who meets those needs. Then talk with the eyecare professional to see if you have a rapport with the doctor.

What questions could you ask to evaluate the eyecare professional?

• Are you board certified?
• Where did you earn your degree?
• How long have you been in practice?
• Where have you practiced?
• Where do you have hospital privileges?
• What are your areas of specialty, e.g., pediatrics, geriatrics, LASIK surgery?
• What tests are included in your routine eye examination?
• Are you part of a group practice or partnership? If so, will I always see the same
doctor, or will I see a different one at each visit?
• Who takes care of your patients after hours or when you are away?
• How far ahead to do I need to schedule appointments?
• When I have an appointment, can I expect to be seen on time?
• What is the length of an average visit?
• What do I do if I have an emergency?
• Do you still work with patients when they move to a nursing home?
• What is your fee, and what does that include?
• Are follow-up visits included in your fee? How many?
• What insurance coverages do you except?
• Are you a member of my vision plan?

What should you consider when choosing an eyecare professional for a child?

If you're selecting an eye doctor for a child, visit the doctor's office and take a look around. Are there toys and books or a children's corner, and is there a generally kid- friendly atmosphere? Inquire about how a vision exam for children differs from that for an adult. Often eye-test charts use pictures for young children, and some doctors use cartoon videos or other methods to make a visit to the eye doctor fun and non- threatening.

You may also want to look more closely into the optometrist versus ophthalmologist question as you select an eye doctor for your children. Both types of doctors examine and prescribe glasses, and they diagnose and treat disease. But each profession is also unique. Ophthalmologists are trained and licensed to do surgery, while optometrists are not. On the other hand, optometrists are sometimes better trained in the developmental aspects of vision - behavioral, functional and environmental. Optometrists are also more likely to use lenses, prisms and vision therapy to enhance and improve visual function.