10 Things the Eye Doctor Might Not Tell You

Would you know if your doctor was overcharging you or leaving out important information? Learn the most common eye doctor myths below, and prepare yourself with a list of questions before your next visit. It never hurts to ask!

Optometrists, who have a doctor of optometry degree, check you for routine eye health and prescriptions, while ophthalmologists, who have their MD, are additionally able to perform invasive surgeries and procedures. Over the years, the lines between these two eye professionals has blurred, as all 50 states widened regulations to allow optometrists to treat many of the same medical conditions that ophthalmologists previously treated.

Rule of thumb: For regular checkups, as well as problems affecting the surface of the eye (such as allergies, irritations, eyestrain, and conjunctivitis), an optometrist is sufficient. If you’re experiencing serious symptoms such as loss of vision or seeking eye surgery, you should consider visiting an ophthalmologist.

A few tests during a routine checkup are normal: the eye chart that gives a basic idea of what you can see (you can also use this handy diopter chart); a refraction test that requires you to look through a machine to determine your exact prescription; and a cover test that reveals how your eye muscles work together. But some “routine” tests for otherwise healthy patients are probably unnecessary. A visual field examination, in which a machine is used to check peripheral vision, may not always be necessary, and eye dilation and macular pigment testing might not have to be tested every visit (unless you have a history of risk). If you are paying over $100 per checkup, you’re probably paying too much.

The internet is an easy and often less expensive place to buy glasses. Online, you can find cheaper versions of designer glasses, as well as normal reading glasses. Some retail prices at the store or a private practice are often marked up over 50 times the manufacturing price. Because most eye doctors want you to buy glasses from them, make sure to check out the selection online first. Your wallet (and your eyes) will thank you! For more info on buying glasses online, at the pharmacy, or with your eye doctor, check out our guide to buying reading glasses, or visit our store. You can find everything from computer glasses to reading sunglasses without leaving your couch. How easy is that?

Eye doctors are required by law to give you your eyeglasses prescription after the exam, enabling you to buy glasses wherever you want. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that they had to do the same with contact lenses. Under this law, a doctor can no longer make you buy your lenses from his or her office once the in-office exam is complete.

For the first five years of their lives, children’s eyes develop rapidly. Pediatric ophthalmologists and optometrists are specially trained to identify and treat vision problems in kids. Find a pediatric ophthalmologist or optometrist close to you. If your child shows signs of needing glasses, avoid mass retailers and use a shop that specializes in kids’ glasses, since fitting their prescription and frames can get tricky.

Extra coatings such as anti-glare or scratch-resistant coatings are not always necessary. Some eye doctors will suggest these extras simply to make more money. In many cases, qualities such as “scratch-resistant” are already a characteristic of the lens material. For example, polycarbonate lenses are naturally scratch-resistant, and polarized lenses naturally fight glare. There are many more instances in which extra coatings may not be necessary, so our best advice is to ask questions and research the different types of lenses.

Laser surgery — the most common refractive surgery that alters the eye to correct vision — continues to grow in popularity. However, even with the best equipment, surgeons must be consistent in getting their lasers updated regularly to help guarantee a safe performance. When shopping for a laser surgeon, ask doctors how often they perform treatments. A good resource to research laser options is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informational site (FDA.gov).

While LASIK surgery puts your odds for perfectly clear vision at about 94 to 98 percent, up to 10 percent of patients need a follow-up procedure. Unfortunately even with the procedure, perfect vision does not last forever, and as the eyes age, you may still need reading glasses. Also, make sure to note that LASIK is categorized by many insurance companies as a cosmetic procedure and might not be covered on your plan.

Glaucoma, a disease caused by a damaged optic nerve, can lead to irreversible loss of vision. Doctors sometimes prescribe pressure-lowering eye drops to glaucoma patients, but be careful; some can cause a laundry list of side effects and are often dangerous. It is best to research or talk to a doctor you can trust about eye drops and their side effects.

Professionals use a variety of tools to adjust glasses, from heat to pliers to screwdrivers. Often, brick-and-mortar stores are willing to adjust your glasses for you even if you did not buy the glasses there, but if you decide to adjust glasses yourself, there are some easy ways to fine-tune your fit. Just be sure to be extremely careful while doing it — the adjustable parts of glasses are small, thin, and easily damaged if twisted the wrong way. Just remember, while about 70% of glasses adjustments you can do on your own, you will need a professional’s help for some more advanced adjustments. That being said, there are many how-to websites that provide step-by-step tutorials on simple ways to perform the easier adjustments.

As with any medical condition or procedure, please consult your eye doctor, optometrist, or ophthalmologist before making decisions about your health. This resource is purely educational and meant to better prepare you to ask questions during your visit.