What Makes a Good Eye Surgeon and How Do You Find a Good One?

Choosing a good eye surgeon can be tough, especially when you need laser eye surgery. Protecting your vision is important and choosing a bad eye doctor can result in permanent scarring of the eye or worse. There are two important factors that you should consider when it comes to choosing a good eye surgeon.

Factor 1. It is important to consider the type of eye care that you will need. Different eye doctors handle different types of vision problems. A specialist is needed when you suffer from significant eye disease. For basic eye care, an optician is often acceptable. If you are interested in laser eye surgery, you will want to consult with a laser eye surgeon.

In choosing a good eye doctor it is important to find out exactly what types of services the doctor offers. Depending on your needs, a good eye doctor should have experience in the treatment one or more of the following fields:

Myopia (nearsightedness)
Hyperopia (farsightedness)
Adult Eye Disorders
Cataracts
Pediatric Eye Disorders
Vision Impairment Caused by Medical Conditions (such as thyroid disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes)
Corneal Disease
Plastic Surgery Related to Eye Disfiguration
Glaucoma Treatments
Eye Injuries Related To Sports
LASIK, Intralase LASIK, or PRK

Factor 2. A doctor's training is another important factor when it comes to choosing a good eye doctor or surgeon. An ophthalmologist should have a M.D. or D.O. degree from an accredited university. He should have specialized training in the surgical and medical procedures involved with eye injuries and vision problems.

An optician should have certified training in the general eye care field. Specialized training is also a plus. An optician should be able to treat all types of routine eye care including the prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or cataracts.

An eye surgeon should also hold credentials from a college accredited for vision problems. The eye surgeon should have specialized training in all forms of laser eye surgery including PRK (PhotoRefractive Keratectomy), LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and the various varieties of surgeries related to LASIK.

A good eye surgeon should be associated with an academic medical center, teaching hospital, or some sort of accredited institution which specializes in advanced eye care. Ask your doctor if he or she is a member of the American College of Surgeons.

Note: Check to make sure that the eye doctor you choose has documentation from accredited colleges and vision. A professional eye care specialist will have his certification in a prominent place in his office or clinical. If you have any doubts regarding an eye doctor's accreditation you can contact the state medical board.

Researching the above factors thoroughly is a good start when it comes to finding a eye care doctor who is right for you. Make sure you take time to speak to the doctor before engaging in any sort of vision procedures to see if you are comfortable with this doctor and to make sure that this doctor can handle all of your eye care needs.