Picking the right doctor for any need can be intimidating and can leave you feeling anxious. It is important to look for the right characteristics when choosing the perfect doctor for you. Eye doctors are key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and are crucial for relevant testing if you need aid in your vision. Here are helpful hints on what to look for when choosing an eye doctor.
Know the difference between an optometrist and ophthalmologist.
First it is important to understand that there are actually two types of eye specialists, whose jobs are similar but vary in qualification obtained. They are called optometrists and ophthalmologists. An optometrist is a doctor of optometry (OD) and they are certified to facilitate eye exams. In these eye exams they are looking for health issues as well as vision impairments. An optometrist may prescribe contacts and glasses. If you are looking for more than an eye exam, or if you have an eye health condition already, then seeing an ophthalmologist may be more beneficial. According to allaboutvision.com, an ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) who specializes in eye and vision care. An ophthalmologist is also certified to perform eye exams however, they are also certified to perform eye surgery and treat eye diseases. If you are trying to find the best choice for you, having an ophthalmologist may be more helpful for any unknown health issues that may arise.
Know the doctor’s qualifications
When you are looking for the right doctor for you, checking their qualifications is highly suggested. All optometrists and ophthalmologists will be certified to practice by an accredited medical school as well as have obtained a license to practice through the state in which they are practicing. If you are concerned about a new doctor's qualifications, there are websites you can check and see a doctor's credentials and licenses before making an appointment.
Make sure the doctor has experience
Research is important for people who are looking for the right eye doctor. It is always essential to be sure the doctor you are looking at has a lot of experience in the field. You want to make sure that you are visiting a valued member of the community who is committed to ensuring that you are getting the best possible experience and evaluation. You want to be on the lookout for doctors who have experience, especially if you have an eye health issue you already know about. Some eye doctors specialize in certain diseases, so be sure you are going to a doctor that understands your situation. Another great way to feel confident in your decision is by asking around. If your friend or family has an eye doctor they love and recommend, this is often a good indicator of their experience and how they treat patients.
Look at what services the practice provides.
Finally, when you are looking for the right eye doctor, it is necessary to look at what their facilities and other staff offer. Practices that offer multiple services are beneficial for many reasons. One reason is that if a health issue was to develop, your practice may offer surgery options which means you don't have to find another doctor. Another benefit is a practice that accepts most vision plans. It can be difficult finding a place that takes your vision insurance so once you find one that does accept it you may want to stay there for all your eye needs.
At Medical Arts Eye Clinical and Optical we understand how difficult choosing the right eye doctor is and want to help you make the right decision. Medical Arts Eye Clinical and Optical is fortunate to have Dr. Anz, a board certified ophthalmologist with proven experience and skill in our practice. If you are looking for an eye doctor please don't hesitate to schedule an appointment today.