Taking care of your eyes is essential for maintaining good vision and overall health. Regularly seeing an eye specialist doctor can help you spot and address eye issues early on, preventing the emergence of severe eye conditions. But how do you choose an eye specialist? It may be difficult to know where to begin, given the abundance of eye care specialists. In this article, we will go over 4 factors to think about when selecting an eye surgery doctor in Singapore.
1. Qualifications and experience
The qualifications and experience of the eye doctor should be taken into account. Make sure the eye doctor you select has the training, expertise, and credentials necessary to offer excellent eye treatment.
There are various categories of eye care specialists, each with varying degrees of education and experience. For instance, optometrists are the main eye care specialists who focus on identifying and treating optical issues, and recommending spectacles and contact lenses. Some are trained further in identifying common medical eye conditions. On the other hand, ophthalmologists are medical professionals who are trained to make medical diagnoses on the full spectrum of eye disorders and to offer treatment options including laser procedures and surgery. Aside from general ophthalmology work, many ophthalmologists also undergo further sub-specialty training in a particular aspect of ophthalmology. For example, at Ava Eye Clinic, Dr Audrey Looi further sub-specialised in Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery, allowing her to expand her services to include both cataract surgery and the entire spectrum of oculoplastic and orbital surgeries.
When researching eye specialists, look for information about their education, training, and certifications. Take into account their experience and whether they have any sub-specialty training. This is particularly important when one has a more complex disorder that requires highly specialised attention.
2. Services offered
The services that an eye doctor provide should be taken into account as a second deciding element. It is essential to choose an eye specialist who can give you the care you require because different eye specialists offer different kinds of services, depending on their training and qualifications
Comprehensive eye examinations and treatment for common eye conditions like dry eye syndrome and cataracts are generally provided by all eye specialists. If you have a particular eye condition, such as constant eye tearing, you would want to see an eye specialist who has good experience in managing lacrimal conditions. In such cases, oculoplastic surgeons like Dr Looi would be better able to help. It may not be easy to identify which subspecialty doctor you need to see so it is easier to consult with an eye specialist first and enquire whether their training allows them to help further. If not, it is not unreasonable to ask for a referral to another eye specialist who can provide the sub-specialty care.
3. Reputation and reviews
Ophthalmologists with a large patient base and with many years in practice generally have gained more experience and expertise in treating a range of eye conditions. Although not always reliable, reviews by genuine patients can also be helpful.
4. Up-to-date medical equipment and manpower
In order to give their patients the best treatment available, eye specialists must have access to modern, state-of-the-art medical equipment. This includes access to hospitals with the latest in laser machines, operating microscopes, microsurgical instruments and trained support staff.
By choosing an eye specialist who keeps up with advances in ophthalmic technology and care, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are receiving the most advanced and effective care available.
Conclusion
Selecting an eye doctor is a crucial choice that could significantly affect your eyesight and general health. Keeping your eyes healthy is an investment in your long-term health, so pick an eye doctor who can provide the highest level of care possible.
Regular eye examinations should also be given priority as part of your general health regimen. Early detection of conditions through eye examinations can help avoid any unknowing gradual loss of vision.
At Ava Eye Clinic, we are committed to helping you maintain your eye health. Book an appointment with us today.