So, you have a great primary care physician and now you’re in the market for a professional eye doctor. Do you know what you need to consider before committing to a practice? Here are three factors that should play into your decision:

Experience With More Than Just Lens Prescriptions

Most people only think of getting a vision test or a new pair of glasses when they consider a visit to the eye doctor’s office. However, a professional eye doctor will bring so much more value to your health than just that. If an eye doctor has experience in handling patients that may have developed rare conditions or eye problems, consider it a good sign. Eyes are complex structures and may require more specific care than a simple lens prescription.

There’s no reason to have shame about your eye problems either. In fact, nearly 2.1 million Americans aged 50 and older have late-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which can lead to severe vision impairment. By age 80, one in 10 Americans will have late-stage AMD. When you select an eye care provider, you’re doing so because you want to take care of your eyes beyond the occasional eyesight exam. Make sure you ask your provider if they can treat conditions like AMD in their office or if they have a preferred specialist to refer you to before you commit to a practice. Even if you’re not currently living with an eye health disorder, it’s a good idea to prepare for that possibility.

Positive Reputation Among Current and Former Patients

An eye doctor’s reputation often speaks to their general skill and integrity. Make sure to check and see that the eye doctor you are considering has some positive reviews. If you have a friend or family member who has visited this practice in the past, ask about their experience. Odds are you wouldn’t get referred to a place where a patient had a bad experience.

Surgeries and Other Special Procedures

Finally, it’s important to consider whether you’ve needed eye surgery or special eye treatment in the past. Your new eye doctor needs to know your eye medical history and be prepared to perform these treatments or refer you to a specialist. While a wide selection of glasses frames might be aesthetically pleasing for you, it’s important to make sure you’re choosing a professional eye doctor based on medical merit, not aesthetics. Eye issues that require surgery may be difficult to confront at first. However, many of these issues can be kept from worsening over time through the use of timely and exact medical procedures. A professional eye doctor who can offer this type of specific help and care while also looking after your eyes can offer you and your family some much-needed peace of mind.

At Eye Consultants of Atlanta, we’re here to help you find an eye doctor that meets each and every one of your needs. We understand just how challenging it can be to find local eye doctors that meet your standard of care. If you have any questions for us, please don’t hesitate to contact someone in our office today.