Choosing an eye doctor is a vital medical health choice. After all, you will put the safety and health of your eyes and vision in your eye doctor's hands. Thus, the eye doctor needs to be proficient in eye care. 

Picking one can be challenging if you have never visited an eye hospital. Besides, various eye health specialists focus on different eye care needs. To start you off, here are five steps to choosing the best eye doctor near you.

Know About the Different Types of Eye Doctors

It helps to know the diverse fields in eye care. That way, you will know where to focus your search. People use the name "eye doctor" a lot nowadays. But there are two separate fields to learn about: optometrists and ophthalmologists. They all work to improve your vision and eye health, but they have different specializations.

An optometrist's main job is to examine and test your eyes. They prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct issues with your eyesight. An ophthalmologist is there to detect and treat eye conditions and diseases. Which eye doctor do you need? Knowing the type of eye care you need will help you find the right doctor. 

Know the Credentials an Eye Doctor Should Have

A credible eye doctor should be certified as an expert in treating eye conditions. The doctor must have the training, skills, and experience to give the best eye care. An online search on government health sites such as the National Eye Institute or state websites can link you to eye doctors near you. 

Look through the list of registered eye doctors, and check their training and professional history. Your prospective eye doctor ought to have an eye specialty degree to begin with. Also, check that the eye doctor has no record of misconduct or disciplinary actions. Internet reviews can help you know what patients say about the eye doctor.

Request for Referrals

To start with, your general physician may know several eye doctors in your area. The doctor may know which eye doctor will suit your needs. 

You can also ask your family members, friends, or colleagues. Think of any person you know who wears eyeglasses or contact lenses—they have all seen an eye doctor. Ask them for references.

Check the Quality of Your Prospective Eye Clinic

Once you narrow your search to a few eye doctors, check the quality of their care facilities. That matters because good quality means better care. Reputable clinics will use modern, state-of-the-art equipment, preferably accredited by the government's board for hospitals and healthcare givers. 

Technology always promotes accuracy, speed, favorable outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. The best eye doctors recognize that and capitalize on it accordingly.

Check the Eye Doctor's Availability

When you have an eye problem, you want to know you can get help quickly. Imagine needing urgent care for your eyes and calling your eye doctor, only to learn that they are fully booked for the next two weeks. 

A busy eye doctor may mean they are in demand, so they must be good. But a good eye doctor will be available to meet your needs at suitable times. If not, you may want to look somewhere else.

For more on choosing the best eye doctor, call (812) 408-8400 to reach Coers Family Eyecare, PC, at our office in Columbus, Indiana.