Caring about your vision is just as important as caring for other aspects of your physical health. For both minor and major concerns with your eyes, you should make it a habit to have it checked only with the professionals. In Fort Myers, Florida, there are numerous eye doctors for you to choose from. This makes it vital for you to ask a lot of questions to narrow down your options. Here’s a list of sample questions for you to ask your eye doctor:
1. May I see your license, permits and other certifications?
First and foremost, you should always remember to ask about the eye doctor’s qualifications to operate as such. Albeit minute, matters regarding your eyes shouldn’t be taken lightly, and you should not risk putting its care into the hands of an under-qualified doctor. Do ask about the following:
- Medical diplomas and specializations
- Board certifications
- License as a doctor and permits to operate the clinic
Always see to it that you are dealing with a legally certified eye specialist. As a bonus tip, you can also double check these licenses and certifications from your eye doctor’s website, like https://www.quigleyeye.com.
2. What tests will you run for my case?
Medical check-ups are almost always daunting, especially if you as the patient do not have any medical background at all. It will be very calming for your nerves if you will at least have a little knowledge as to what tests your eye doctor is going to run for you, and what procedures you will have to go through for your problem. Knowing about these matters will also make you feel more assured that you are making a sound and well-informed decision.
3. What has caused this eye problem to happen to me?
For any medical condition, you should also be well-informed about why this has happened to you. It is in having this awareness that you can also avoid the same from happening to other members of your family. For example, you may have been damaging your eyes too much with your exposure to gadgets and television. Ask how you can avoid such, so your kids won’t have to go through the same hassle of wearing prescription glasses as well.
4. Will this be my final treatment or will I need to undergo more in the future?
You should also make a mental note to ask about the longevity of your eye treatment. It will be to your advantage to know if you will need to undergo any other treatment in the future, or if this one procedure that you will undergo now will be sufficient. For example:
- How long will it be until I need a new set of prescription glasses?
- Will this surgery for my eye cataract have permanent effects?
- After this eye Lasik surgery, will my eyesight be this good forever?
In this manner, you will know what to expect, especially if you will need more follow-up treatments in the future.
5. Are you affiliated with my insurance provider?
If you have an existing medical plan or insurance provider, let this be known to your eye doctor in Fort Myers, and ask as well if they are affiliated with such. Here, you will know if your insurance can cover all the costs for your procedure, and how much you will have to spend from your own pocket.
6. What is your field of specialization?
Just like any other physician, eye doctors have their fields of specialization as well. For example:
- Optometrist
- Ophthalmologist
Depending on the severity of your eye condition, you will have to ask your doctor what their field of specialization is. If you merely have a routine checkup, or if you need new eyeglasses and prescription contact lenses, you will do fine in the hands of a qualified optometrist from Fort Myers. On the other hand, if you have a more severe condition that needs more tests and more complicated procedures like eye surgery, you will need to entrust your care to an ophthalmologist.
7. What are the risks and possible side effects of this treatment?
Even minor eye procedures like simply having prescription eyeglasses have its own set of side effects, too. For example, you may experience nausea and dizziness for the first few days of wearing such. You should, therefore, remember to ask about the risks and side effects of your eye procedure, so that you will know how to combat them and manage these symptoms better.
Conclusion
Asking as many questions as you possibly can to your Fort Myers eye doctor can significantly help you in the whole process, regardless of whether you are going for something as simple as getting a new pair of eyeglasses, or as severe as undergoing a surgery. When throwing questions at your doctor, and when they also discuss and answer you openly, you can avoid any form of miscommunication that can otherwise be daunting for you as a patient. Remember that with your health, you should leave no room for risks and errors.
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It’s interesting that you should ask the eye doctor if the procedure is a one-time thing or needs a follow-up procedure. I’ve been wanting to get my cataracts fixed later this month since it’s been bothering me for a while now. I’ll be sure to ask some of these questions to my eye doctor when I see him this week and make sure I know what to expect with my cataracts surgery.