How to Find a Good Eye Doctor Fort Myers

Your eyesight is precious and you should be choosing an eye doctor with as much care as you would any physician. A good eye doctor will be there for you and will work with your best interest in mind, not what will be more profitable for them. They will also be there to educate you on various treatments and could even be able to spot serious health issues that might be reflected through your eyes. Let’s take a look at how you can find a great eye doctor in Fort Myers.

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Know the Differences Between Eye Doctors

First of all, you have to know what type of doctor you need in the first place. When looking for an eye doctor Fort Myers, you will come across two types: ophthalmologists and optometrists. Many think that these terms are interchangeable, and both professionals do perform common tasks, but they’re not entirely the same.

Both will offer prescriptions and can treat various types of eye diseases, but only ophthalmologists can perform surgery on the eyes. Ophthalmologists also spend a lot more time on formation. An optometrist will only need to spend 4 years in college to practice while an ophthalmologist will have to go to medical school then go for a 4-year residency. Some will even decide to specialize themselves further after that.

Which One is the Best for You?

If you need something like new glasses or contacts and need general information about the different options available, then an optometrist will be able to handle that. Also, note that some states allow optometrists to perform surgeries such as LASIK. On the other hand, if you have a specific type of eye disease, like cataracts, for instance, and you need ongoing care, then an ophthalmologist will be the best person to help.

Check the Credentials

The next thing you have to do is check their credentials. Follow up with any information they give you and check if they have dealt with or are under any type of disciplinary action. If you want to check the school an eye doctor went to, disciplinary history, malpractice claims, and certifications, there are various state resources.

Check their Communication Style

Even if the eye doctor is the best in the world, you have to go with someone you feel comfortable with. You don’t want them to be dismissive if you have questions. This is also very important if this is for a child. Look for someone who has a way with children. If they seem constantly annoyed by your or your child’s questions, then you should consider going somewhere else.

Ask About the Treatments they Performed

Credentials are nice, but nothing beats real-life experience. So, if they advertise themselves as LASIK specialists, make sure that you know how many times they performed the procedure. If you’re coming with a specific eye issue, you want to know how many people like you they treated. Also, make sure that you speak about complication rates with procedures and examples they’ve encountered.

These are all things that should allow you to narrow down your selection of eye doctors. When it’s all said and done, you have to go with someone with the experience, expertise, and with whom you can build a solid rapport.