Whether you need glasses or contact lenses, or if you have a medical eye condition requiring skilled monitoring and treatment, a compassionate and highly qualified ophthalmologist is your best provider. However, finding the right ophthalmologist is often challenging.
Here are some tips for finding the best eye doctor in Washington, Missouri.
Know What an Ophthalmologist Does
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) with years of training in diseases and conditions of the eye. This board-certified specialist can do routine eye examinations for corrective lenses and diagnose and treat problems such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, crossed eyes, and much more. An ophthalmologist writes prescriptions and orders, performs additional testing, and performs surgeries to correct vision defects, such as cataracts and disease- or age-related damage.
Talk to Your Primary Care Physician and Others
This healthcare provider knows you and your health history well. He or she can suggest ophthalmologists in your area best suited for your needs. Also, friends, family members, or colleagues may have a name or two for you, especially if they have used a good vision doctor themselves.
Check for the Credentials
That means going to the American Board of Ophthalmologists’ website to see if the doctors on your shortlist are certified. Board certification testifies to advanced skills and knowledge, peer accountability, and dedication to continuing education and research. Use the Verify a Physician section to check names.
Also, look on Healthgrades.com for patient reviews. Not perfect in reliability, patient reviews nevertheless can tell you about how well the medical office is run, how easy it is to get appointments and other aspects of patient care.
Finally, read the doctor’s website. It should provide a snapshot of the practice, the ophthalmologist’s areas of expertise, appointment-making, and more.
Make an In-person Appointment
Consider this your ophthalmologist’s job interview. As the patient, go to the consultation ready to outline your symptoms, concerns, past treatments, and other aspects of your medical history and vision care. For the doctor’s part, expect thorough, non-rushed explanations for your queries. If you are treated off-hand, dismissively, this is not the ophthalmologist for you and your precious vision. Go on to the next doctor on your list.
Check Your Health Insurance
Your ophthalmologist must be in-network to keep your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum and to give you the peace of mind to focus on your eye health. So, check your health insurance carrier’s provider directory, and also call the doctor’s office to verify the physician is in-network.
Comprehensive Vision Care with a Good Ophthalmologist in Washington, Missouri
Advanced Sight Center delivers premier vision care for people of all ages. Our services include treatments for glaucoma and corneal conditions, cataract surgeries, diabetic eye care, and macular degeneration treatments.
We have three board-certified ophthalmologic surgeons on staff and a highly qualified optometrist to take care of your primary eye care and lens needs. Our onsite optical boutique offers a wide array of contact lenses and eyeglasses with fashion and correction options to suit any need or preference.
To arrange a consultation with our ophthalmology team, call us today at (636) 239-1650 or fill out our online appointment request form.
