Taking care of your eyes is an essential part of preserving your vision. Regular eye examinations can help reduce your risk for functional and age-related eye problems. Many people aren't aware of vision problems until they become serious: Half of the people who have glaucoma don't know that they have it, according to the National Eye Institute. Choosing a good eye doctor is an important part of protecting your eye health.
Step 1
Check with your insurance provider to find out what eye care providers are covered by your insurance plan. Keep in mind that while not every health insurance plan includes vision coverage, some plans have discounts or other incentives with certain providers. If you have coverage or discounts with certain providers, narrow your search to those providers.
Step 2
Consider your eye health needs. If you have good vision or if you wear glasses or contacts but have otherwise healthy eyes, you can see an optometrist. If you have eye health problems, such as cataracts or astigmatism, you'll need an ophthalmologist. Optometrists aren't medical doctors, so in most states they can't perform surgery or prescribe medication.
Step 3
Ask your regular doctor to recommend an eye care professional or call your local college's department of optometry or ophthalmology to ask for recommendations.
Step 4
Check out your eye care provider's credentials, including diplomas. These are usually posted prominently in the waiting room, office or exam room, but if you don't see them, ask the eye care provider for details. If she seems reluctant to provide them or if her answers seem off-base to you, you might want to consider another doctor.
Step 5
Talk to your eye doctor candidates about their experience with your particular condition, especially if you have special needs or anticipate having surgery. Find out how many patients the eye doctor has treated with your condition or how many times he has performed a particular procedure.
Step 6
Consider how receptive a potential doctor is to your concerns and questions. Being comfortable with your eye care provider is an important part of choosing a good eye doctor, and only you can decide what makes you comfortable.
