How to Choose the Best Cataract Surgeon Near You
When you’re in need of cataract surgery, one of the most important considerations to figure out is who you will use as your cataract surgeon. After all, you’ll be trusting this person with your eyesight and overall eye health, and few things are more important than that. We recommend a thorough vetting process to find the best surgeon for you. By researching and evaluating all the following criteria, you’ll be sure to land on your ideal doctor.
Experience is Essential
One of the most desired criteria people look for when finding a cataract surgeon is obvious: experience. This goes back to the issue of trust. Most of us believe that the greater number of surgeries a doctor has performed, the more credibility and skill they have. In order to find this out, go to your eye center’s website and spend some time researching. Many providers will share the number of surgeries a surgeon has performed, as well as the number of years that particular doctor has been practicing. And if you can’t find the information readily online, give the office a call. These are details that should be willingly disclosed to you, and if they’re not - that’s a red flag. You can also look around online to see if the eye surgeon you’re considering has a LinkedIn profile you can review, to get more detail about their education and career history.
What have Other People Said?
Once you have an even more narrow list of possible eye surgeons based on experience, the next step is look up reviews and solicit referrals. Search for the doctor you’re considering by name and look through all reviews you can find. It’s also a good idea to check out testimonials on the surgeon’s website. Even though an eye surgery provider will only showcase positive testimonials on their website, it’s still helpful to see what other patients have experienced under their care. And finally, ask your friends and family. If anyone in your network has a cataract surgeon they’ve used and are eager to recommend, that’s always a good sign and means the eye doctor is worth checking out.
Location, Location, Location
Some people may not care about where an eye doctor is located, as long as they are knowledgeable and skilled. But location often does matter. It’s best if the eye care center is within a range of your home that you are comfortable driving, if possible. This will decrease the hassle - and limit the amount of time it takes - for you to get to and from your consultations, the surgery itself and your follow-up visits. Often times, the surgery center is in a different location than the office. You’ll need to be driven to and from your cataract surgery, keep in mind that you will likely only have to drive to the surgery center on the day of the procedure. Follow up visits will occur at the office. And although rare, it’s helpful to be a reasonable drive away from your eye surgeon in the event you have any complications or need to be seen urgently post-surgery. So, try searching online for “cataract surgeons near me” and narrow your list initially based on how far you’re willing to drive.
Consider the Costs
The last piece of the puzzle is the financial aspect. Of course, you don’t want to choose the cataract surgeon who offers the lowest price simply because they’re the cheapest - which is why cost is put last in this list of criteria. Once you’ve vetted eye surgeons according to their experience, reviews, and location you can then whittle down the list even more based on what they charge for cataract surgery and how attractive their financing options are.
Getting surgery to remove cataracts is a big deal in your life and in the overall health of your eyes. So, it’s important to thoroughly research potential cataract surgeons before deciding on the one you’re going to trust with the procedure. If you have any more questions about choosing the right eye surgeon, or to schedule an eye exam, please contact us.