Have you noticed that your vision is no longer as clear as it once was? Do you suffer from symptoms like blurry vision, seeing glare, or experiencing light sensitivity?
These are some of the signs of cataracts. The only way to effectively treat cataracts is to have cataract surgery to remove them.
If your cataracts have begun to affect your quality of life, this is when most ophthalmologists recommend having cataract surgery. Cataract surgery can restore vision loss from cataracts by removing them entirely.
Once you know you need cataract surgery, how do you find the right cataract surgeon? Keep reading to discover 5 qualities of the best cataract surgeons in Boston to make choosing your cataract surgeon easier!
1. Good Education
Cataract surgeons are ophthalmologists, meaning they have a medical degree and have completed medical school and a residency program. With so many excellent medical schools to attend, where your cataract surgeon went isn’t as important.
What matters more is that your cataract surgeon is open about their education. Most cataract surgeons will make it easy to find this information.
Some may use their practice website to list where they got their degree and completed their residency. You can always research the school and the residency program they attended. You can ask them if you want more information or details about their educational experience.
The best cataract surgeons have also won awards and are a part of educational organizations. Having these distinctions indicates that they not only completed their education but they also did very well in their education.
Excelling in school doesn’t guarantee that someone will be a good surgeon. However, it is a sign that they know how to work hard, which is necessary to be a quality surgeon.
2. Extensive Experience
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed medical procedures. After all, most people will eventually have cataracts and will need cataract surgery.
An experienced cataract surgeon will have completed thousands of surgeries. If you’re unsure how experienced a surgeon is, there’s nothing wrong with asking them.
You also want to ensure your surgeon has enough experience when it comes to quality and quantity. You can do this by asking them about their complication rate.
Ideally, it shouldn’t be above 2%. The lower it is, the better. The best cataract surgeons will have performed many surgeries while maintaining a low complication rate.
3. Board Certification
You want any doctor or surgeon that you see to be board certified. Board certification is how you know your doctor or cataract surgeon meets specific standards and expectations. Certification is also usually ongoing.
Being board certified shows that they’re committed to meeting board standards. Board-certified surgeons have to hold themselves to certain standards regarding patient safety.
With this certification, you can rest assured you’re in the best possible hands during cataract surgery. Several boards certify cataract surgeons.
These include the American Board of Ophthalmology, the American Board of Eye Surgery, and the American College of Surgeons. The best cataract surgeons should have at least one of these certifications.
Ideally, they will have one with the American Board of Ophthalmology or the American Board of Eye Surgery. If your cataract surgeon has multiple board certifications, all the better— but it’s only one factor to consider amongst all the other qualities you should look out for.
4. A Supportive Demeanor
Many doctors have a good education, extensive experience, and they’ve received board certification. But even with all these essential things, it’s still possible to have a poor or lacking bedside manner.
The best cataract surgeons can communicate effectively with their patients beyond the medical details. Before any medical procedure, cataract surgery included, you need to feel like you’re being heard and understood.
How do you know if your cataract surgeon is supportive? It’s all about how they make you feel.
A good surgeon will make you feel like you can voice any concerns and ask any questions. They’ll also answer your questions in a way that’s easy to understand.
The science behind cataract surgery can be complicated, but a good surgeon will explain things in a way that makes it sound simple. The best cataract surgeons will ensure you have the right expectations before you have cataract surgery.
They’ll also do their best to explain what to expect, including before, during, and after as you recover. Once you have a better understanding, you’ll be able to prepare and feel ready to have cataract surgery.
Your cataract surgeon should give you instructions that are easy to follow so you can be fully prepared and ready for the procedure. It may be a red flag if your surgeon doesn’t make you feel well prepared.
5. Will Help You Choose an IOL
One massive part of cataract surgery is picking out an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL is an artificial lens that takes over the job of the natural lens when you have it removed during cataract surgery.
There are different kinds of IOLs, with some standard (called a monofocal lens) and others that are premium, making it overwhelming to choose one. Part of your surgeon’s job is to explain the benefits and drawbacks of each IOL.
A good cataract surgeon will also account for your specific needs and help you choose the right one. They’ll consider things like your visual goals and lifestyle needs after cataract surgery.
The best cataract surgeons will go out of their way to make sure you make an informed choice that you can be confident about. If they’ve done their job well, you’ll go into cataract surgery feeling wholly prepared and happy with your decision.
Are you looking for the best cataract surgeon in Boston? Schedule a cataract consultation at New England Eye Center in Boston, MA, and see the difference.