<p>If you lived in a semi-rural location and wanted to locate an opthamologist to try to find out why you had double vision when looking to the left or down, but not to the right or up, how would you go about doing it? Friends only talk about those they don’t like and horror stories why. Part of that includes just going on recommendations from family doctors or optometrists… it seems those recommendations aren’t always the best.</p>
<p>This is a situation that has been going on for over a year, so it’s not a medical emergency. However, I believe I have come to the conclusion that the body is unlikely to heal itself at this point and am curious if there is anything that can be done - BUT - I don’t want to unnecessarily lose vision by trying a treatment or surgery, etc… What I have is better than losing vision in an eye (both eyes work - if I close one I see normally - just not together to the left or down).</p>
<p>Is there any website with reviews? I’ve found plenty with stats and bios, but are there any with credible reviews from “customers?”</p>
<p>I would try talking to people who wear contacts or glasses in your social circle. Chances are that some may be seeing an ophthalmologist, especially if they have had catarac surgery and will make a recommendation if they liked the MD. Sadly, I mistrust the online MD ratings, as I feel the sample sizes ate MUCH too small (very few patients seem to be filling out these online forms).</p>
<p>I’m thinking our local “area” size is too small, so will be looking at larger metropolitan areas relatively nearby… Johns Hopkins comes to mind, or middle son goes to U Rochester - though anything longer duration at the latter could be problematic.</p>
<p>It’s our “in” doctors who are not recommended by those I’ve talked with who have seen them… that’s the scary thing as that normally would be my first route. But with eyesight, I’m just a bit more leery with the stories I’ve heard (that I have no reason to distrust).</p>
<p>Creekland, would you like to say what part of the country you live in? Maybe someone here would know of a good ophthalmologist. Maybe even the state? You might have to travel a bit but it would be worth it.</p>
<p>You want a board-certified ophthalmologist (2 letter h in the word) - as someone already said, start at [American</a> Academy of Ophthalmology](<a href=“http://www.aao.org%5DAmerican”>http://www.aao.org). Unlike optometrists, ophthalmologist are MDs and are therefore qualified to assess the overall health of your eyes. They don’t push unnecessary procedures any more than other physician specialists, so I think that should be the least of your concerns.</p>
<p>We’re about an hour and a half north of Johns Hopkins… I’m actually looking at the Wilmer Eye Institute now to see what they offer after looking at the AAO.org suggested above. As usual, the symptoms they offer don’t exactly match what I have… but I figure a specialist would know more than the basics listed under double vision. </p>
<p>When I tried the “find a doctor” there aren’t any in our zip code. I do get more (47) going out 25 miles (their max), but most appear to specialize in other things (cataracts, pediatrics, etc).</p>
<p>I love rural living, but it does have its drawbacks at times. We only had to go one city over (40 minutes) when my youngest developed a type of epilepsy after everyone here told us it COULDN’T be that - ER included - it was just something no one local had seen in the form it manifested itself in with him. To be fair, even the neurologist there didn’t think it was epilepsy until testing was done - she had the testing done to rule it out, but it confirmed it instead. </p>
<p>I may have to go further to get to an area where whatever this is is recognized. Medical is not my specialty at all beyond chicken soup… But I worry when I hear of people losing sight (or almost losing it) after treatment. This isn’t THAT bad. It’s more annoying than anything else - no headaches, blurriness, or similar.</p>
<p>Naturally, it’s too late to call today, but I’ve bookmarked the page and will call Wilmer on Monday to see about scheduling something. They do look like what I’m looking for overall rather than just a local cataract person (esp since I don’t have any symptoms of cataracts).</p>
<p>there might be an optometrist nearby that could recommend one?
Or a recommendation from one’s family dr.?
Or a phone book of a nearby bigger city?</p>
<p>^^^ That’s what I’m hoping for. I’m not at all worried about unnecessary medical procedures - just knowledge as to whether this is something that can be fixed or something I just have to live with - and then if it can be fixed - that it’s done well.</p>
<p>Thanks for the spelling correction BTW. I never really looked closely at how it was spelled before. I missed the first h and the l sounding it out.</p>