eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids, vision therapy, and provide pre-and post-operative care. In some states, optometrists may perform some forms of laser surgery. If you have a serious eye condition or disease, an optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.
An ophthalmologist is a physician — a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy (DO) — who specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases and eye injuries. Ophthalmologists are licensed to perform major eye surgery (such as LASIK surgery, cataract removal, retinal detachments, and lens implants) and prescribe medications. Many ophthalmologists also provide eye exams and services such as prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses.
For routine eye care and exams, an optometrist is the most logical choice. However, if you’ve experienced a major change in your vision or suspect you have a serious eye problem, it may make sense to see an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists, because they are MDs, charge higher fees than optometrists do.
How do I find a good eye doctor?
First, you should decide what kind of eye care you need. Then find out what services are covered by your insurance plan. Most vision health coverage plans cover a portion or all of your eye care expenses.
Here are some ways to go about finding an eye doctor who meets your needs, according to the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH):
- Find out if your insurance company or health plan has a list of eye doctors who are covered under your plan.
- Ask your friends, family, coworkers or neighbors if they can recommend qualified eye doctors.
- Ask other health professionals, such as a family doctor or primary care physician, nurses, pharmacists or dentists, if they can refer you to eye doctors they like.
- Call the optometry or ophthalmology department at a local hospital or university medical center.
- Contact a state or county association of optometrists or ophthalmologists to see if they have lists of eye doctors with specific information on specialty and experience.
- The American Optometric Association (AOA) offers a service called “Dr. Locator” to help the general public find optometrists within a specific region.
- The American Academy of Ophthalmology coordinates an online listing of member ophthalmologists called “Find an Ophthalmologist.”
- Most large libraries have a reference set called “The ABMS Compendium of Certified Medical Professionals,” which lists board-certified ophthalmologists and some biographical information.
- The Consumer’s Guide to Top Doctors provides a state-by-state listing of medical specialists most frequently mentioned in a survey of doctors.
Also, check whether any malpractice actions have been taken against a particular doctor. A service called DocFinder provides links to the licensing boards in participating states.
Eye doctors should be certified through an accredited medical institution and should be currently licensed to practice in your state. Find out where the doctor earned his or her degree. Is the doctor board-certified? How long has he or she been in practice? What are the doctor’s areas of specialty (pediatrics, geriatrics, glaucoma, LASIK, for example)?
“You want to make sure you’re picking a doctor who is not only qualified but who specializes in the area you are concerned with,” advises Beebe. “Eye doctors may have developed special interests, from examining infants to treating patients with glaucoma. If you’re looking for an eye doctor for your 8-year-old, you may want to make sure the doctor likes to see 8-year-olds.”
How can I tell if I’ve chosen the right eye doctor?
After you’ve seen the doctor, ask yourself whether you were fully satisfied with the care and service provided. Make sure that all of your concerns are addressed. If not, you may want to shop around. “You want a doctor who you feel confident does a complete and thorough exam as far as eye health; it shouldn’t take two minutes,” says Beebe. “Not only is it important that you can see when you’re done, but you also want to make sure your eyes are healthy and disease-free.”