Eye Doctor Near Me
A common question from people who are seeking care for an eye or vision problem is, “How do I find an eye doctor near me?” We have provided several resources below that should guide you toward finding the type of eye care you need.
Elmquist Eye Group has been serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lee County and Southwest Florida for over 25 years. E. Trevor Elmquist, DO, and his associates, Sarah Eccles-Brown, MD, Yasaira Rodriguez, MD, Kate Wagner, OD and Nina Burt, OD, provide a full spectrum of eye care services, from routine eye exams for glasses to bladeless laser-assisted cataract surgery.
Dr. Elmquist is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He specializes in general ophthalmology and cataract surgery. He has been selected as one of America’s Top Doctors in ophthalmology by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. Dr. Wagner and Dr. Burt are board certified optometrists.
Tips for Finding an Eye Doctor Near You
Optometrists and general ophthalmologists diagnose and treat most eye conditions. However, sometimes a specialist is required. For example, some eye doctors specialize in treating infants and children, while others specialize in treating patients with glaucoma or retinal disease. If you are unsure of your diagnosis, it’s usually best to be evaluated by an optometrist or general ophthalmologist first. They would be able to refer you to the appropriate specialist if necessary.
Ophthalmologists are physicians who have earned an MD (Medical Doctor) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) degree and who specialize in all aspects of eye and vision care, including diagnosis, management, and surgery, as well as prescribing corrective lenses.
Optometrists are Doctors of Optometry (OD) who have been trained to perform eye exams and vision tests, prescribe and dispense corrective lenses, detect certain eye abnormalities, and prescribe medications for certain eye diseases. Except in three states (Oklahoma, Kentucky and Louisiana), optometrists are not licensed to perform eye surgery.
Here are some excellent resources for finding an eye doctor in your area:
- Your Health Plan – One way to find an optometrist or ophthalmologist in your area is to check with your health insurance plan. They may have a specific list of eye doctors who are covered by your plan. In most cases, you do not need a vision plan to be evaluated by an eye doctor. However, they do not cover glasses or contact lenses. For these services, a vision plan is usually required.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) –If you think you may have an eye condition that requires the care of an ophthalmologist, visit the AAO website and use their “Find an Eye MD” service to find an ophthalmologist in your area.
- America’s Top Doctors – Another way to find a highly qualified ophthalmologist is to check the list of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. They identify the top one percent of doctors in each medical field, both nationally and regionally, based on nominations submitted by other physicians.
- American Optometric Association (AOA) – The AOA website offers a
“Doctor Locator Search” to help you find an optometrist in your area from their list of over 22,000 optometrists in the U.S. You can also find optometrists here who participate in the InfantSEE® program for babies between 6 and 12 months of age.
The team of doctors at Elmquist Eye Group can handle all of your vision needs. If you are looking for expert eye care from a doctor near you in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, elsewhere in Lee County, or throughout Southwest Florida, give us a call today at (239) 936-2020 to schedule an appointment.