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How to find the Best Eye Doctor in NYC
When to See Your Optometrist
Many people do not bother to visit their optometrist until it becomes a serious problem. You need to see your optometrist in any of the following conditions.
1. One of the most common signs of your eye problem is the sudden appearance of tears. If you find that with very less strain or no strain at all your eyes start to have tears, its time for you to visit your optometrist. Tears or moistness of your eyes is one of common signs of developing eye problems.
2. If for some reasons you are feeling blurred visions at specific times of the day or at night, it is a sign of eye problem. Blurred vision, haziness and lack of clarity of distant objects do require you to visit your optometrist.
3. Many people injure their eyes in some way or the other. It can happen that they have hurt their eyes in an accident or experiencing some kind of pain after being injured, need to visit an optometrist.
4. If you find that there is a sudden appearance of spots or strings floating in the field or if you see there are sudden flashes of light in one of your eyes or both eyes, it means that you need to visit your doctor soon. If you feel that you are slowly losing your vision, you should visit your doctor immediately.
5. Many people experience symptoms which is flu like. Such symptoms maybe in the form of muscle aches fever and also pain in the eyes. In such cases, they need a visit to doctor immediately. This can be symptoms of some eye disease which is developing in the eyes.
6. Many people complain of thick nasal drainage and complain of different types of pressure and pain in the forehead. Such pain can be experienced just behind the eyes also, which can be a sign of some more developing disease within the eyes.
People who suffer from diabetes need to visit their optometrist at regular interval. Since such a disease is related to many kinds of eye complaints, it’s vital for diabetic patients to visit their doctors to keep their eyes safe.
Selecting An Eye Doctor
Selecting a good eye doctor is just as important as selecting a general health physician.
So what do you look for when shopping for an optician?
The type of eye doctor you seek may depend on the overall health of your eyes. You may need to see an eye specialist for example if you have complicated eye diseases or vision problems. Other times it may be perfectly acceptable to visit an optician or optometrist for basic eye care.
There are many specialties within the field of optometry. An ophthalmologist is an eye doctor with specialized experience in surgical and medical procedures. They are a good choice for anyone with injuries to the eye, eye disease or complicated vision problems. Typically an ophthalmologist has an M.D. or D.O. degree.
An ophthalmologist will have completed at least four years of specialized training and medical school. They will usually be licensed by a state regulatory board and are qualified to diagnose and treat various eye conditions.
An optometrist typically carries the credentials OD or doctor of optometry. They are well qualified to diagnose, treat and care for common diseases of the eyes and vision. Most have four years of professional training at an accredited college specializing in optometry. Many will also complete specialty training programs in specific areas of eye health.
Optometrists are not MD's. They are however trained to detect various diseases and malformations of the eye including cataracts and glaucoma. They cannot however perform eye surgery to correct these diseases, and may have to refer patients with complicated diseases of the eye to an ophthalmologist. Most optometrists work with patients with conditions including astigmatism, farsightedness and nearsightedness. They can prescribe corrective lenses to help improve vision and may recommend certain medications for uncomplicated disease of the eye.
An optician is a professional who works in conjunction with an ophthalmologist or optometrist to deliver comprehensive eye care services. They may help during eye exams or help with eye care prescriptions. Most have a two-year degrees in optometry. A qualified optician can help interpret a prescription and decide what lenses are best suited to meet your individual needs.
Finding The Right Eye Care Specialist
You should always select an eye care specialist with the correct training to meet your individual vision needs. If you have complicated vision problems or health conditions your best bet is likely an ophthalmologist. You may need to see a doctor of optometry for non-complicated vision problems or if you need a prescription for corrective lenses.
Be sure when selecting an eye doctor you examine the doctor's credentials and experiences. You want to make sure they offer the kinds of services you need. Most ophthalmologists and opticians will provide you with certificates and licensures on your request. You can always confirm their credentials by contacting your local state board of optometry.
Experience is just as important as proper credentials. If you have complicated eye conditions you may need to seek a more experienced ophthalmologist or optometrist. Many people find a good eye doctor simply by getting a referral from someone else. Ask friends or family members if they know a qualified practitioner you can visit.
You'll also want to make sure you select a doctor that offers a wide range of services and the types of services you need. If you prefer to consider alternatives like LASIK surgery for example, you should consult with a provider that offers this service or has experience with LASIK. You can always call ahead of time to review a providers qualifications.
Eye Doctor Credentials
Every day thousands of people visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist for simple problems like yearly checkups, to more complicated issues including LASIK and cataract removal. What many of these people fail to do is check the credentials of the eye doctors that are diagnosing their eyes, prescribing medication, or performing surgical procedures. Some people expect that just because an eye doctor works in a hospital or clinic setting or has their own practice, these individuals are qualified and licensed to perform the duties stated in their position. This thought process can be wrong, as there are some individuals not licensed or qualified to do their job. This is where state licensing comes in.
States require optometrists and ophthalmologists to be trained through accredited colleges and universities, licensed through rigorous testing and clinical hours, good moral character, and continued education for growth and maintaining necessary skill sets. Some requirements include criminal background checks and the National Practitioner Data Bank. This process helps to ensure that those that take up these positions are qualified to meet the duties and responsibilities that come with being an optometrist or ophthalmologist. This is extremely important for ophthalmologists who perform surgical procedures since their patients vision is in their hands almost daily.
There are plenty of different ways to check the credentials of an optometrist or ophthalmologist. One of the surest methods is to look up license information through state license directories. Most states have license verification methods that allow for a quick and easy lookup of a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. The North Carolina Board of Optometry has a license lookup function that is searchable by social security, license number and last name, which brings up license information including any adverse actions. States will also note any violations and list violators including denial of license, suspensions, and disciplinary measures. Consumers may have to email state boards to get specific information on disciplinary actions.
Another way to check credentials is to look for the license certificate and the degree from an accredited school. There are only a few accredited schools that offer degrees for an optometrist or ophthalmologist, and eye specialists definitely would display their degrees and license certificates in a place that can be seen by patients. Taking these steps can help protect consumers from seeing an eye doctor who is not licensed for a reason like wrong diagnosis of an eye condition.
Steps to Finding Your New Eye Doctor
Step 1
Determine whether you need an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. An optometrist is an O.D. and an ophthalmologist is an M.D., but in most cases the major difference is that an ophthalmologist can do surgeries and an O.D. cannot. For routine eye care, including eye exams and even most minor eye injuries, an optometrist is perfectly sufficient.
Step 2
Check the American Optometric Association website for a list of qualified optometrists near you. The website will also help identify specialists who work with children or those who treat specific types of eye disease. It is also a good idea to check with the state agency which licenses doctors. In most states, these agencies provide a website that lists any doctors who have been charged in a malpractice suit or who have disciplinary action pending against them (see Resources below).
Step 3
Call the doctor's office and ask what is included in a basic eye exam. One of the phrases you want to hear is that they check the eye health as well as the vision. Some chain optometry offices only check vision and do not look for health problems in the eyes including high pressure, a warning sign of glaucoma. Be sure to ask for an exam that includes eye health because glaucoma can only be treated not cured and it can cause blindness.
Step 4
Ask family and friends for their recommendations. A good recommendation from a friend can be as important as any medical training. Friends will often be able to tell you whether the doctor is personable, has bad breathe or runs a clean office. All of these can be important.
Step 5
Check with your health insurance. Many health insurance policies include vision exams, but only if you go to the right doctor. Call ahead to ask if the doctor accepts your insurance and you could save yourself hundreds of dollars.
Article Bio:
Eye Doctor NYC is a comprehensive eye care provider. We are eye doctors, optometrists and eye-care physicians that specialize in vision therapy, eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Article Resources:
http://www.eyedoctorguide.com/eye_doctor/choose-eye-doctor.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_4473596_choose-eye-doctor.html
http://hubpages.com/hub/When-To-See-Your-Optometrist-Note-These-7-Times
http://www.op.nysed.gov/opsearches.htm