The health of your eyes is very important to your overall health, well-being, and quality of life, so it’s critical that you choose an eye doctor that you can trust to help you see your best. Whether you have cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, other eye issues, or are looking to get vision correction, you should choose a doctor who’s experienced, caring, and is up-to-date on the latest treatments, technologies, and procedures. Before you choose your eye doctor, check out the following helpful tips.
1. Determine What Kind of Eye Professional You Need
First of all, determine if you need an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. What’s the difference? An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor/surgeon who is certified to diagnose and treat a range of eye issues. If you don’t have any significant eye issues and would just like to get a vision exam and update your prescription lenses, you should make an appointment with an optometrist. At Tyson Eye, we have both expert ophthalmologists and optometrists on staff across our many convenient Southwest Florida locations to meet all your vision needs.
2. Get Referrals or Recommendations
If you need specialty eye care, you may want to ask your optometrist or PCP to refer you to someone. You can also talk to family, friends or neighbors who have, for example, had to have cataract surgery or had a LASIK procedure done, to see who they recommend.
3. Research their Credentials/Experience
Once you have someone in mind to be your eye doctor/surgeon, do your research to make sure they have ample experience, are board certified, and have a good online reputation. At Tyson Eye, you can look up all of our doctors to view their experience and expertise.
4. Look for Someone Who Specializes in Your Condition
Find an eye professional who is known for treating your specific condition. For example, if you suffer from diabetic retinopathy, you should look for a retinal specialist. Our own doctors, Dr. Farrell Tyson and J. David Stephens both specialize in laser-guided cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, and custom Wavefront LASIK procedures. Dr. Roman Pravak specializes in medical and surgical treatments of retina conditions. You’ll feel more confident knowing that your doctor is experienced and focused on your specific eye issue.
5. Choose Someone You Like and Feel Comfortable With
Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of actually liking your doctor and the office staff. Every effort should be made to ensure that you feel comfortable, safe, and confident with your care.
If you are looking for an eye care professional, are due for an eye exam, or are experiencing any problems with your vision, Tyson Eye is here to help. We are committed to excellence by delivering modern technology with old fashioned concern. Call us at 239-542-2020 or request an appointment today!
