Do you have cataracts? Does it feel like they are slowly taking over your life and affecting your ability to do what you love?
If so, it may be time to have cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is the only treatment for cataracts.
The procedure completely removes your cataract and natural lens. Removing your natural lens during cataract surgery restores any vision lost because of cataracts.
When it’s time to get cataract surgery, knowing where to start by finding a reputable practice to undergo the procedure can feel challenging. How do you find the best cataract surgeon in your area?
Keep reading to find out how to find the best cataract surgeon in Omaha!
Talk to Your Eye Doctor
Not every eye doctor can perform cataract surgery. If you usually see an optometrist, you’ll need to see an opthalmologist.
Ophthalmologists are eye care providers that can perform eye surgeries like cataract surgery. They’ve completed 12 to 14 years of training, including medical school.
If you usually see an optometrist, they can’t perform cataract surgery. But they can help you by referring you to a reputable cataract surgeon, like those at Omaha Eye & Laser Institute.
Your eye doctor may recommend one or several practices, or they may recommend one surgeon in particular. You should consider each recommendation, but don’t feel like you can only go to a surgeon they’ve recommended. Do your research and try to find other sources that also recommend the same surgeons.
Your optometrist will also know a lot about your specific eye health and how your cataracts affect your vision, so they’ll be able to advise based on your unique needs.
Ask Family And Friends
Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed medical procedure you can undergo. There’s a good chance that you know someone with cataracts.
You may also have a friend or family member that’s already had cataract surgery. If you trust someone’s opinion, crowdsourcing where they had cataract surgery is a smart way to go.
Start by asking any family or friends in Omaha who had cataract surgery. Did they like their cataract surgeon?
Would they recommend their surgeon, or would they go elsewhere if they could do it all again? If they weren’t happy with their experience with their surgeon, find out why.
Did the surgeon answer their questions, or were they dismissive of them? You need to consider these things before choosing a cataract surgeon.
Be sure to do your research on anyone they recommend to you. Asking friends and family is a great place to get more recommendations from satisfied patients rather than second-hand sources.
Read Reviews
When doing your research, take the time to read patient reviews. Try to find these reviews from sources other than the practice’s website or literature.
Looking online can seem a little dicey, but it doesn’t have to be. Are there common themes that stand out to you when looking at reviews?
Do the surgeon and their practice seem easy to work with? Reviews from impartial sources will be more candid, and you can better understand what a particular surgeon or ophthalmology practice is like.
When reading reviews, you need to take them with a grain of salt. There are always some people who only go online to write reviews because they’re upset, so there can be a bit of a bias.
Also, remember that if a practice has a few bad reviews, that’s not bad. It’s healthy to see a wide variety of reviews, including less positive ones.
These in no way indicate that a surgeon is inadequate. However, you should be more concerned if half or more of the reviews are negative.
Seeing this many poor reviews is a red flag. Look at the reviews as a whole to get a better feel for a surgeon or practice you’re considering.
Trust Your Gut Instinct About Your Surgeon
Before choosing any surgeon, you need to feel comfortable with them. The relationship you have with your cataract surgeon should be one of mutual respect.
If your gut tells you that your cataract surgeon doesn’t have your best interests in mind, keep searching. You want to choose a cataract surgeon who makes you feel comfortable in your choice.
If they overpromise results or make you feel uncomfortable in any way, there’s nothing wrong with choosing a different cataract surgeon. Since you only get one set of eyes, treating them with respect is crucial!
Look for the Right Qualities
Once you have your recommendations and you’ve done your research, you may start to wonder what qualities to look for. What qualities do the best cataract surgeon have?
First, look for a cataract surgeon who has performed thousands of cataract surgeries, along with a low complication rate. Having experience ensures that they feel comfortable performing cataract surgery and are confident.
If you can’t find this information online, there’s nothing wrong with asking the practice to provide you with it. The best cataract surgeons also have a solid educational background.
For education, this means that they’ve not only completed a medical degree and residency program, which are requirements for cataract surgeons, but also received awards and are a part of prestigious educational organizations. They should also have board certification, preferably from the American Board of Ophthalmology or the American Board of Eye Surgery.
Having several certifications is good, but remember that some of the best cataract surgeons are only certified with one board. Excellent education and experience are only one small part of what makes the best cataract surgeons.
They should also be supportive and make you feel safe and confident in your choice of surgeon. They should answer your questions in a way that’s easy for you to understand and address your concerns, so you don’t have to feel overly nervous about the procedure.
You can read reviews to help get a sense of what a surgeon might be like, but the only way to know if they make you feel supported is by going in for a consultation. Schedule your cataract consultation at Omaha Eye & Laser Institute in Omaha, NE, today!
