Choosing the right eye doctor

Our eyes are the windows to our soul, but many of us do not truly value them until our regular vision is compromised.

As many eye conditions do not show obvious symptoms in the early stages, an ophthalmologist would be the best person to go to as they are likely to have the latest and most advanced technology available to examine your eyes and recommend timely treatment.

When choosing which eye specialist to go to, there are a variety of factors to take into account:

Word of mouth: Have you been recommended any particular centre or eye specialist by family and friends? You might feel more comfortable being attended to by people who have treated someone you know.

Authenticity of information: If you are doing your own research on the internet, please make sure that your sources of information are genuine, professional websites, and that the information is backed up by comprehensive medical research and accreditated by medical bodies.

Safety procedures: When visiting your eye doctor, ask for an explanation of the safety procedures in place, and the standards adhered to when undergoing procedures, such as the cleanliness of the operating environment, sterilisation of equipment, and the hygiene of the surgical kit. Is there a 24-hour emergency line you can call for post-surgery needs?

Commitment to patients: Do find out if your eye doctor offers any commitment programmes towards achieving set service outcomes, for example, no additional charge for enhancement of previous LASIK procedure.

Location: Your pupils will be dilated for comprehensive eye check-ups and surgeries, and driving is not recommended for several hours. Make sure that you have accessible transport to return home after your visit to the eye doctor.

Convenience of payment: Does your eye centre provide you with easy, no-frills, transparent, and convenient methods of payment?

Your gut feeling: Our eyes are the windows to our world. When visiting an eye healthcare centre, your safety and comfort is always first priority. If at any time you feel uncomfortable with the place or the people, consider going to a different eye centre or seeing a different eye specialist.

Dr Aloysius Joseph Low is a refractive and cataract surgeon with over 20 years' experience in the eye healthcare industry. He represents Malaysia at the International Society of Refractive Surgery, and is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. For more information on Presbyopia and the AcuFocus KAMRAO inlay, visit http://www.acufocus.com/others/the-acufocus-corneal-inlay.html. For further information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader's own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

-The Star/Asia News Network