If you are looking for eye doctors in Grand Rapids, MI, there are over 100 options available to you. Choosing the right one can be an intimidating task. Evaluating your needs and expectations is a good place to start. Factoring in insurance acceptance, specialty requirements and value added services, all can help to narrow down the field.
Ophthalmologist or Optometrist?
This is one of the first questions you may ask. But what is the difference exactly? It really comes down to the degree of education and training, as well as the services each can provide. An ophthalmologist attends medical school after college. After completing medical school, he or she completes a one-year internship and a residency of three or more years. Ophthalmologists provide complete eye care services. Not only can they perform the eye exam and write prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses, they also can provide a full battery of medical eye care and surgical eye care, as well as write necessary prescriptions for treatments of any conditions.
An optometrist completes a degree program in optometry and then may obtain additional clinical training in some cases. They can perform routine eye exams and prescribe glasses and contact lenses, diagnose and treat certain eye conditions (i.e. cataracts, conjunctivitis, diabetes-related issues) and participate in pre-and-post-op surgical care. Knowing whether you need diabetic eye care, routine eye care or other types of specialty care, can help you choose between the two.
Insurance Acceptance
This is another issue of which to be aware. Please be sure to check your insurance benefits to determine what part, if any, of your visit will be covered. This is one thing that varies greatly from insurance provider to insurance provider. Also, you may have a supplemental vision plan as part of your benefits package, or you may choose to purchase additional supplemental vision coverage.
Specialty Requirements
There are a number of medical conditions which might affect what you may need in an eye care professional. Specifically, diabetes and glaucoma can wreak havoc on your vision. Of the more than 100 eye doctors in Grand Rapids, MI, more than two dozen specialize in diseases of the eye.
Value-Added Services
Last, you may want to know what other services the doctor’s office provides. Do they have optician services on-site? Do they perform contact lens fittings? Do they sell the contact lenses? What you are looking for as an end result will also help you to make your choice.
The ophthalmologists and optometrists at Grand Rapids Ophthalmology represent a remarkable blend of talent and experience. Visit our website at for more information.
