subject: Overwhelmed With Choosing An Eye Doctor? [print this page] If you find yourself overwhelmed with choosing an eye doctor, don't be. It can actually be a very simple process. The fact that you are even looking for an eye doctor is a positive step in the right direction. Unfortunately, many people tend to neglect taking care of their eyes because they just don't think about the consequences. It's a lot like neglecting your teeth -- you never think about it until you have a cavity and/or are forced to have a root canal. But neglecting your eyes can result in more serious problems than a root canal.
If you fail to diagnose certain eye problems in time, you could lose your vision altogether. That is why it is so important to choose an eye doctor who can help you take proper care of your eyes. Make it a priority to find an eye doctor in your area, but don't let yourself get stressed about it. Take your time and be patient. The following tips can help you stay on track without getting overwhelmed.
First, take a deep breath. Choosing an eye doctor is not something you should get stressed out about. In fact, in can be a lot of fun. Decide which kind of eye doctor you need. For example, do you need an optometrist to give you yearly eye exams and keep your eyeglass prescription current? Or do you need an ophthalmologist to prescribe eye medication for your dry eye syndrome, or to help you decide which corrective eye surgery procedure is best for you? It's important to know the difference so you can choose an eye doctor that will best fit your personal needs. Once you determine whether you need an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, you can begin your search. Start by discussing options with close friends and family members who live nearby, especially those who wear glasses.
They might be able to give you the name of an eye doctor right away and your search will be over. However, if you have just moved to a new area, then you probably don't have any friends or family members living nearby. If so, turn to the Internet. The Internet is an excellent way to search for a variety of things such as cars, restaurants, mechanics, clothing stores, and even eye doctors. Just search for optometrists or ophthalmologists in your area and see what comes up on the screen. Chances are you're going to have a lot of names to choose from. But you still don't need to get overwhelmed! Take a good look at the list and write down the names of eye doctors who are located within a reasonable driving distance from your home. Start with the closest one and give the office number a call. You might be able to schedule an appointment right away if the eye doctor is taking new patients. If not, then try the next name on the list. It's that easy. Keep calling eye doctors on your list until you find one that is taking new patients and schedule an appointment. Once you interact with the doctor at the appointment, you'll be able to determine if he or she is right for you.
