The eyes play a vital role in your child’s development. Having optimal eye health makes it easier for your children to learn different things, mingle with other people, and seize more opportunities in life. However, your children can only enjoy all of these things (and more) if they can see clearly and if they are free from any type of eye illness. Working with the best optometrist, such as those from Quigley Eye, can help you achieve this goal. 

You can easily find optometrists in Naples and other parts of the globe. If you’re a parent who’s having a hard time narrowing down your options, the following tips can help you find the best optometrist for your child:

1.     Talk To Your Doctor Or Pediatrician

More often than not, your children have their own doctors. They might be seeing the same doctor ever since they were born until they grow up. For you to find the best optometrist in your area, talk to your doctors or pediatricians, and ask for their recommendations. Since most doctors have the same network in the healthcare industry, you can be sure that your doctor or pediatrician can provide the names of optometrists who are operating within your area. These professionals might even have personal referrals of the optometrist who can work best with your children’s unique needs.

2.     Ask From Family, Friends, And Colleagues From Work

Assess which people from your social circle has kids, wears glasses, or both. They will usually have names of optometrists who they trust. Take the time to ask for their referrals and inquire about their overall experience with a specific optometrist. Because you personally know these people, you can ask as many questions as you can without having any hesitations.

Depending on the age and needs of your children, you might ask them about the services offered, the prices of the services, and the optometrist’s level of professionalism. Make sure to also ask about the treatment and professionalism of the staff who the optometrist usually works with. 

3.     Research On The Optometrist’s Credentials

As mentioned, your child’s vision is one of their most important senses. While they might be smart toddlers or older kids, it will be hard for them to function normally if they have poor eyesight or if they are suffering from any type of eye disease. To put your mind at ease knowing that you truly found the best optometrist in your area, take the time to research on the optometrist’s credentials. 

For an optometrist to operate as one, they have to complete a four-year doctor of optometry degree (the title can vary depending on the university or academic institution), on top of a four-year undergraduate degree. While you’re at it, don’t forget to research if the optometrist you’re eyeing to hire has any history of disciplinary actions or cases of malpractice claims. Only entrust the eyesight of your children to professionals who have the required education and training for the job. 

You can also confirm an optometrist’s credentials by looking at their certifications and training from different state websites or offices.

4.     Consider The Optometrist’s Experience

All eyes function the same way, but usually, children’s eyes will require a different set of tests, diagnoses, and solutions. Aside from checking the credentials of an optometrist, always consider their experience. You should only hire an optometrist who has worked with children with different eye cases in the past. The more accustomed an optometrist is to a child’s eye problems, the easier it’ll be for them to come up with solutions or recommend eye procedures. 

5.     Evaluate Their Communication Style

No matter how many resources you read or videos you watch online, you can never be at par with the knowledge and skills of an optometrist. These professionals have spent most of their lives learning and practicing the profession, which is also the reason why you’re willing to pay them your hard-earned money. When choosing an optometrist for your child, assess how the professional communicates with you. Do they provide channels for you to easily reach them whenever you have questions? Do they clearly explain complicated medical terms to your level? Do they exert effort in knowing and earning the trust of your child? Although intangible, the communication style of the optometrist you’re going to hire for your child can significantly affect the latter’s overall experience. 

Practice Cooperation

Your children can only attain optimal eye health if they exert time and effort in taking care of it. No matter how credible or experienced the optometrist is, if your children don’t keep their end of the bargain, paying for professional services will be useless. As a parent, make sure that your child follows through with all the instructions provided by their optometrist.