Eye Doctor

May 22, 2005 3:48 PM

I lost my glasses on the plane a couple of months ago and I could probably use an update to the prescription. How do I pick an opthamologist?

The last eye doctor was great but it's not worth driving to Boston for. Since I don't have any serious problems, just a bout of minor nearsightedness, I'm not putting my life in their hands. I just want glasses to make it more pleasant to drive and to watch movies. Does it matter in the end who I go to? Is the guy in the Lenscrafters too crappy/too expensive? What are the cost pitfalls? The last time I did this I had a kick-ass insurance plan. No such luck now.

posted by Saucy Intruder to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

As a point of pickiness, you'll probably want an optometrist, and not an opthamologist. At my last opthamologist appointment (I have to go to one once a year because I have diabetes and need regular checkups for diabetic retinopathy), I asked the difference and the basic difference is in amount of schooling and speciality - optometrists check your vision & do corrective vision stuff; opthamologists can and do perform surgery on eyes, and do way more complex things that optometrists don't do. Plus, the doc said that opthamologists are full MDs and optometrists aren't.

At any rate - if I were in your case I'd go to a Target or a Wal Mart and stop in one of their vision centers. They're usually independently owned and just rent the space from the box store. A lot of times, optometrists and their associated stores are marginally related, so you can get your exam and prescription and fill it anywhere you want. Find the best deal you can. Keep your receipts; you may be able to deduct those costs from your taxes at the end of the year.
posted by cajo at 4:35 PM on May 22, 2005

Best answer: You're looking for an optometrist, not an ophthalmologist. Optometrists typically practice medicine dealing with vision vs opthalmologists who practice medicine dealing with all facets of the eye.

Having experience with many different optometrists (Lenscrafters, Pearl Vision, local private practices) I can tell you that the quality of service is going to be relatively the same where ever you go. Lenscrafters is sufficient, but if you're looking to get the most fashionable and up to date rims I'd go to a local practice to buy glasses. Cost wise it's also going to be relatively the same. From my experience, without insurance, complete eye exams cost around a $60-$80 range.
posted by freshness at 4:57 PM on May 22, 2005

Go somewhere independent if possible and do not use a chain/franchise.
posted by fire&wings at 5:04 PM on May 22, 2005

I'd look for an eyewear shop that has specials, deals and/or the frames you want; and then use their in-house optometrist. Cost should be about the same everywhere. I've had some great deals on close-out frames (e.g. titanium frames) from my local independent eyewear place.
posted by carter at 8:52 AM on May 23, 2005

Your employment may have Vision Serve Plan coverage, which doesn't usually narrow the field in choosing an optometrist but is worth checking -- our VSP plan includes annual eyesight tests, and I can choose from most of the local optometrists but not all.
posted by anadem at 9:56 AM on May 23, 2005