How to find an eye doctor who corrects and treats nearsightedness.
Overview
As research emerges about slowing the progression of nearsightedness in children, it’s important to find an eye care provider who goes beyond correcting nearsightedness (myopia) and offers myopia management options. Many eye doctors offer myopia management, some are not currently providing these services. This blog provides information on how to find an eye care provider and offers questions to determine their myopia management services.
Your child’s current and future vision may depend on finding an eye care provider who offers myopia management services and who will discuss with you the appropriate options for your child.
How to find a myopia management eye doctor for your child
Develop an list of eye care providers using one or more of these methods:
- The first name on the list is your current optometrist. The best-case scenario is if you like your current optometrist and he or she practices myopia management then you are all set. But, if your eye doctor doesn’t offer these services then you have to look elsewhere.
- Ask your family for recommendations. Who do they use?
- Ask other parents who they take their kids to. Chances are there are a few eye doctors in your children’s circle that everyone goes to.
- Ask your pediatrician for a recommendation. While you are at it, ask your pediatrician if they are familiar with myopia management and the ability to slow the progression of nearsighted vision. Hopefully, they are aware of it and if not, do them a favor and suggest they read about it.
- Look at online doctor locators provided by contact lens companies. You can either look up the doctors in a directory or fill out a form and they will send you a list based on your zip code. MiSight, a daily disposable soft lens, has an online directory. Paragon CRT has a directory and the iSee lens has a directory. See what doctors are prescribing MiSight or an ortho-k lens in your area.
- Put the prospective optometrists into google maps and see how close they are to where you live. How far are you willing to drive? You may want to eliminate doctors that are too far away. While you are using google maps, see if there are a few doctors near where you live.
Once you have a prospect list, then the next step is research.
Research the eye care providers.
You want to find a doctor who offers myopia management services for children. Someone who goes beyond correcting nearsighted vision and presents options to slow the progression of myopia.
Most of this research can be conducted online. And those that pass the online sniff test, can be vetted by phone.
Look at their Website:
One of the best places to gather information is the eye care practice website. Does the website look up to date? Is there a mention of myopia management? Is there a section for pediatrics? Are their pictures of children? Do they offer ortho-k? Do they prescribe MiSight 1Day?
Read Reviews:
Check out Yelp or other review sites. Gauge the level of professionalism, customer service, and whether they are oriented towards families and the community. How many stars do they have? How many reviews. If there are enough reviews, they can give you an indication of what they are like.
Look at the Facebook Page:
Check out their Facebook page. What photos are they posting? Are they children-friendly?
If they pass the internet surfing tests, then a phone call is warranted.
Make a Few Phone Calls:
Narrow your list to 2 or 3 doctors, in order of preference. Start at the top of the list and call the eye doctor. Three important areas are:
Here’s a few questions that you can ask to get an idea if they are good fit.
How much of the practice is focused on children.
Does your practice cater to children, adults or seniors?
What percent of the eye exams are for patients under 18, compared to adults and seniors?
What is the doctor’s experience in treating children?
Do they have a myopia management specialty?
Does the doctor offer myopia management for children?
What treatment options do they offer?
What treatment options does he/she prescribe?
Does the doctor currently prescribe orthokeratology? What lenses does he/she offer?
Does the doctor offer atropine therapy?
Does the doctor offer soft contact lenses options for myopia management? What lenses do they prescribe? Do they prescribe MiSight, the only FDA-approved soft contact lens with an indication to slow the progression of myopia?
Once you have narrowed your list and identified myopia management specialists, here are seven questions you may want to ask before your first appointment or during a myopia management assessment.
Seven Questions for the Eye Care Provider that passes the myopia management screen.
How many children with myopia do they see each month?
What’s happens in the first eye exam for a child? What tests or assessments are done?
How long have they been prescribing ortho-k? How many children are wearing ortho-k lenses from their practice?
Do they use atropine? How long have they been treating patients with atropine?
Do they take your insurance? What is covered?
Do they offer weekend and evening hours?
How long does it take to get an appointment?
Summary
Create a list of potential doctors
Research the doctors and narrow the list.
Call to ask questions.
Make an appointment.