Is your vision a little blurry lately? Have you moved recently? Are you “searching for an optometrist near me”?
Finding the right optometrist can be a bit of a pain. However, as long as you know what to look for in an optometrist, you should be able to find one that suits your needs.
The question is: what should I look for when searching for an optical shop near me? The answer lies below.
Search Google
Your search for an optometrist should begin on Google. Type in the URL and then enter “optometrist near me” or “pediatric optometrist near me” or “eyeglasses near me” into the search box.
This should supply you with a long list of optometrists in your area. Next to each optometrist’s name should be a star rating, along with a link to reviews from past customers.
You should use these ratings and reviews as a means of gauging each optometrist’s level of service. Then, you should write 3 to 5 options down on a piece of paper.
Note, Google should also inform you of the distance to each optometrist. Unless you want to drive an hour to get your eyes checked, you’re going to want to focus on optometrists than are within 10 miles of you.
Read Up on Experience
Generally speaking, it’s not wise to utilize the services of an inexperienced optometrist. This isn’t to say that inexperienced optometrists can’t get the job done. In fact, most can.
However, inexperienced optometrists have no track record and therefore can’t have their work verified. They may provide great service, but they may provide awful service all the same. There’s no way for you to tell.
For this reason, you’re advised to go to an optometrist who has been in business for at least a couple of years. An optometrist with this level of experience is bound to have developed some sort of reputation. You can use this reputation to determine whether an optometrist is, indeed, a viable candidate.
Look for Ones in Your General Proximity
You’re probably not going to be going to the optometrist all that often; maybe a few trips every few years. But that doesn’t mean that distance doesn’t matter. For your own sake, you want to find an optometrist that’s in your general proximity.
We recommend finding one that’s within 10 or 15 miles of you. There should be plenty of options available, regardless of where you live.
To determine how far away a specific optometrist is, you can simply make use of Google Maps. Go to this app and enter the name of your prospective optometrist. This will provide you not only with directions to the office but mileage to the office and a time estimate as well.
Ensure Licensure
As you might expect, not just anyone can become an optometrist. In order to become an optometrist, you must obtain your license. Those working without a license are working illegally and should be avoided at all costs.
In particular, optometrists need a license from the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. This can only be obtained after a candidate has completed an optometric degree program.
Ask to see proof of this license before getting started. If an optometrist refuses to show you this license, he or she can’t be trusted.
Make a Call
A good way to gauge the care provided by an optometrist is to call up his or her office and speak to whoever answers the phone. This can help you get a feel for whether the office cares about its patients, or whether it sees them as a means to an end.
Ask questions and monitor the responder’s tone. Is he or she happy to speak with you? Or, is he or she just trying to get you off the phone as quickly as possible?
If it’s the former, the office is probably a solid choice. If it’s the latter, you should probably look elsewhere.
Consider Specializations
There are many different types of optometrists. These run the gamut from general optometrists to pediatric optometrists to neurological optometrists and more.
The type of optometrist you need is dependent on the services you seek. If you’re just looking to get an eye exam, a general optometrist will do. On the other hand, if you suffer from vision problems having to do with brain damage, you’ll want to see a neurological optometrist.
Most optometrists are very upfront about the type of optometrist they are. You can generally just check on their website. If it’s not there, you might have to make some calls for clarification.
Ask About the Costs of Services
Not all optometrists charge the same thing. In fact, there can be a great deal of variation in price. As such, before choosing an optometrist, you’re going to want to ask about the costs of services that you need.
Call up each of the optometrists on your list and ask how much they charge for each service. Add everything up and ask if there are any other charges that you might have to handle.
Some optometrists will tack fees on without the customer knowing. Make sure that you’re fully aware of the costs that are stacked up against you. Then, use the information you’ve received as a means of choosing an optometrist that fits within your budget.
Note, if you have vision insurance, it might not be accepted by all optometrists. You might have to find an optometrist that’s in your network. Before making a choice, be sure that your insurance will be accepted.
I Want the Best Optometrist Near Me!
Do you find yourself thinking: “I want the best optometrist near me!”? If so, and if you’re in the Houston, Texas area, you needn’t look any further. We here at EZ Opticals are the people to see.
We offer a variety of eye and vision services, from contact fitting to glasses fitting to ophthalmology and more.
Contact us today to discuss your needs or to schedule an appointment!
