How do I Choose the Best Glaucoma Specialist?

You can go about finding the best glaucoma specialist by searching in your local phone directory and calling various professionals, discussing options with your family doctor or a general practitioner, or speak with friends or family about the specialists they use. Once you have a few options listed, give each person a call and discuss your condition and take a tour of their facilities to get a feel for the atmosphere and staff. You should bring a list of questions to ask, such as insurance or pricing information.

Glaucoma is a condition which affects the optic nerve behind the eye. This can cause reduced vision and is a leading cause of blindness. There are treatments which may slow down the damage to the nerve and to alleviate fluid buildup around the eyeball. Treatments can include eye drops to drain fluid and relieve pressure and sometimes surgery. When caught early, some patients may avoid blindness. New treatments are being developed that may stop or reverse optic nerve damage.

You may be diagnosed with glaucoma by your family doctor or another physician, and he or she can likely refer you to a local glaucoma specialist. Ask questions about various options close by, and find out which your doctor recommends for your particular type and severity of condition. You may also be referred to a practice in which more than one doctor operates, so you may be cared for by more than one specialist throughout your treatment.

If your family doctor does not have a suggestion on a local glaucoma specialist, you can speak with other patients who have your condition or check online or phone directories to find numbers and locations of specialists in your area. Many offices and practices offer free consultations or tours of the facilities, so you should ask about having a quick visit to get an idea of whether you would like a particular practice.

Be sure when you go for tours and initial meetings with any new glaucoma specialist that you bring a list of questions to ask, as well as any medical reports or records from your general practitioner. Find out about costs for visits, insurance information, and success rates of any treatments you will have to undergo. Various doctors may recommend different medications or therapies, so discuss your options with each person and determine which methods are most comfortable for you.