“The eyes are the window to the soul,” according to Shakespeare, Da Vinci or whomever deserves the credit for this famous quote. I would like to tweak this quote a little and say, “The eyes are the windows to the world.” OK. My quote is not as deep, I agree, but few can argue that our ability to see the world clearly is basic to our survival and independence.

Enter OPTOMETRIST, Center Stage.

If the eyes are windows to the soul, then optometrists are the “window keepers”. Their whole focus is helping you take care of your vision. They test for things like nearsightedness, farsightedness, manage eye injuries and diseases. They also prescribe contact lenses, eyeglasses and medications. Are you holding documents far from you or close to you to read them? Then, it’s about that time. Here are four things to consider when selecting an optometrist:

Does the optometrist accept your vision insurance plan?

What? Well, nobody likes unexpected bills. So, check to see if the optometrist is a participating provider with your insurance. This way, you can be confident that the services you receive at the optometrist are covered. The best way to do this is to call your vision insurance company. Calling the office and asking them, “Do you accept my vision plan,” can lead to misleading information. Like what? Well, the office can truthfully say that they accept all insurances because some vision plans have out-of-network benefits and cover services at non-network offices. However, for rich benefits and low out-of-pocket cost, you want a network optometrist. So, do yourself a favor and call your insurance company first.

What are the optometrist’s credentials?

In light of the fact that your ability to see clearly is important to your overall health and wellbeing, finding an optometrist with the proper credentials becomes very important. Having appropriate credentials prove that your optometrist is qualified to provide vision care. To find out about the qualifications of an optometrist and whether they are licensed to provide vision care in your state, visit your state Board of Optometry. In Florida, visit the Florida Board of Optometry. You will find out if the doctor is licensed and for how long.

Is the optometrist staying on top of industry trends?

Research and technology are changing the medical world at an amazing rate. The area of optometry is no different. New technology is impacting the ability to identify and treat eye conditions. They also affect the way doctors maintain records and communicate with consumers. So, it’s important that your optometrist is in touch with what’s happening in the industry.

Chair-side Manners

As with any medical professional, it’s important that your optometrist has great chair-side manners. Is he or she courteous and compassionate? Does he or she spend time with you or do you feel like you are being rushed? Do they explain things to you in an easy-to-understand way? Check online reviews from sites like HealthGrades and RateMDs to see what other patients are saying too.

When you think about all the things you are able to do because you can see clearly, it makes sense to invest time in finding the optometrist that’s right for you.