Factors to Consider for Choosing Your Eye Doctor

As your eyesight starts to deteriorate, you may become more aware of needing an eye doctor. However, you may not know where to start. You may try ignoring the problem, until you realize it is getting worse.

The more you delay your appointment with an optometrist, the more your eyesight deteriorates. Avoid the temptation to postpone this decision. Choose an eye doctor whose opinion you can trust and book an appointment.

How do you do this?

Ask for Referrals

Asking for referrals ensures that you get a tried eye doctor. Make sure they are the kind of eye doctor that you need. Know the difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists. Optometrists are specialists at the forefront of eye care, diagnosing over 200 systemic conditions and diseases of the eyes and visual system. Optometrists treat diseases of the eye, including infections and inflammation. Additionally, optometrists prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses to treat refractive errors. Ophthalmologists are surgeons that often have specific areas of specialty, such as cataract surgery or retina surgery.

Check Their Communication Style

Choose someone you are comfortable talking with and who you feel supports you in your journey to regaining your vision. You can interview the doctor and check how they respond. Check their body language and confirm whether they seem genuine about their interest in your conversation. Do they answer your questions in a way you understand? Also, ensure that the eye doctor you choose respects your decision-making process. Check if you have a feeling of satisfaction when you leave their office.

Check Their Reviews

Read what other people say about the optometrist. It will provide insight into how they handle patients and conduct their practice. It will help you know about the office environment, wait time, staff friendliness, and scheduling appointments. You will get to know if their patients trust them.


For more information call Williamsburg Eye Care at (757) 564-1907 to reach our office in Williamsburg, Virginia.