What to Look for in an Eye Exam in NYC

Where should you go for an eye exam in NYC? The problem isn't a lack of options – it's having too many options. There are thousands of eye care clinics in New York and they don't all offer the same level of care. However, by knowing what to look for in a good clinic and doctor, you can avoid the ones that underperform—without going out of your way.

Here's what you should expect from every eye exam in NYC:

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Proper, robust care – Some clinics that offer eye exams in NYC are little more than mills, moving patients in and out with little personalization and no attentive care. An eye exam is a lot more than just checking what prescription lenses you need. It should be a chance to examine your eyes for any potential developments or diseases, such as cataracts or glaucoma, even if you have never suffered from these before. Caught early, many eye conditions that develop throughout life can be corrected or minimized. Thus, protecting your vision should be one of the main purposes of eye professionals anywhere.

Someone who respects your time – An eye exam will normally take at least a half hour and may take up to an hour. However, none of that time should be spent waiting because the doctor and assistant are dragging their feet, or because of a disorganized clinic. Doctors should be ready to start appointments on time or with minimal wait periods. New Yorkers are always busy and we don't want to spend a whole afternoon at a routine eye appointment—it's not necessary.

Patience at all stages of the eye exam – While your doctor should be prompt, they should also be patient. If you have questions, they should take the time to answer them, and if you arrive at your eye exam with several different issues to discuss (for example, asking about laser surgery and also wondering if your father's cataracts might run in the family), they should take the time to address each one. This is your time to concentrate on your own health—and they should too.

A doctor with a passion for their field – Don't just go to whichever clinic is nearest to your apartment or office. There are many places that offer eye exams in the city and, if you look even a few blocks farther away, you'll dramatically widen the pool of options. You want to find a doctor who is passionate about vision and the human eye and is always educating themselves on new procedures and alternatives, not the just few they're already trained on.

What has you looking for a new eye care provider?