We all want to find the best doctor available to us when we have a medical problem of any kind. But, what does this really mean? The bottom line is that the best doctor for you is the one who is the most qualified to help you and treat your condition while making you feel the most comfortable.
Unfortunately, there are no official systems in place for finding and rating physicians. The best thing for you to do is to research your prospective doctors and do your homework to find out as much as you can about them before you ever even set up an appointment to meet with them. Here are some points you need to concern yourself with when searching for the right ophthalmologist to best suit your needs.
What is an ophthalmologist compared to other eye doctors?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the medical and surgical care and treatment of conditions and diseases of the eye. Some ophthalmologists also provide general vision care services which include prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses. The ophthalmologist is the only eye doctor that is also a medical doctor and is board-certified.
Training and education for an ophthalmologist
Training to become a skilled ophthalmologist is strenuous and requires dedication and determination on the part of the doctor to be. The more knowledge and experience an ophthalmologist has, the better they are capable of helping their patients in every way possible. Training includes a minimum of:
a Four years of medical school (post undergraduate college)
a A one year internship in general medicine (typically at a hospital)
a A three year residency in ophthalmology at an accredited teaching program
Often, ophthalmologists choose to complete 1-2 additional years of fellowship training which focuses on a particular area of eye care.
What is board certification?
Board-certification means that the doctor has taken and passed examinations covering every aspect of surgical and medical eye care. This additional education is difficult and grueling and is completely voluntary on the part of the ophthalmologist. Therefore, a board-certified ophthalmologist who has completed every possible educational task available to them in an effort to provide the best care possible to their patients is the best choice for you. Questions to ask when choosing an ophthalmologist may include:
a Are you board-certified?
a What are your qualifications?
a What is your experience?
a What services do you offer?
a What do current and past patients say about you?
a How long have you been performing surgeries and what surgeries have you performed?
a What percentage of your patients receives 20/20 vision after surgery?
a Will you be managing my pre- and post-operative care?
a Is your laser equipment FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved?
It is also wise to talk to former and current patients privately if possible and look into the history to find any malpractice claims against the ophthalmologist or if their license has ever been revoked, suspended or restricted.
Choosing an ophthalmologist is a very personal choice that only you can effectively make for yourself. Take the time to do your research thoroughly before choosing anyone. Expect your chosen surgeon to have taken a lot of time to perfect their skills before performing surgery on you.