3.7 years ago

Ricky • 50

@madrich_12

I need to have an eye exam for glasses. One eye has senile cataract with glaucoma for which I take Latanoprost and Dorzolamide-Timolol. Due to the cataract I am afraid I will not get the best eye glass prescription for seeing my best.

How do I chose or find the right optometrist for my situation?

3.7 years ago

david 4.3k

@david_fe

You are right to be seeking an optometrist for your eye glass prescription. Optometrists are considered primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists are commonly consulted for eye glass and contact lens prescriptions. In the USA, optometrists can also write prescriptions for eye medications. And optometrists can specialize. Some specialize in treat serious eye diseases, including potentially blinding conditions like glaucoma and cataracts.

Therefore, your first step is to find out if there is an optometrist near you who specializes in glaucoma and cataracts.

Your options include asking your friends, family members and colleagues for recommendations. You could even ask your glaucoma specialist or ophthalmologist for a recommendation. If you wish to share your location in private on the FitEyes email list, you may find other FitEyes members who can make a recommendation for an optometrist near you. (Of course you can search online reviews near you, but in my experience this is unlikely to be that useful.)

Another option is to seek out an optometrist who is part of a glaucoma or cataract ophthalmology practice.

You may also be interested in behavioral optometry. Behavioral optometry is a growing subspecialty of optometry uses unique concepts in vision therapy, and an awareness of how stress impacts vision, to help you see your best.

Finally, I will add some alternative thoughts. According to ophthalmologist William H. Bates, M.D., you should prefer a prescription slightly weaker than the one that provides the sharpest vision. To learn more, look up the Bates Method of Natural Vision Improvement (or ask a new question on that topic here).