Blog post by: Eye Physicians of Long Beach

Do you have cataracts? It’s crucial to make sure you choose the best cataract surgeon to achieve optimal results.

But it may feel like selecting the right cataract surgeon is a monumental decision. While every certified surgeon is knowledgeable, some have more experience and higher expertise than others.

What can you do to make sure you choose the best possible surgeon when you’re undergoing cataract surgery? Keep reading to learn why reputation matters if you want to make sure you choose the best cataract surgeon in Long Beach.

Recommendations and Referrals

Do you know friends or family members who have had cataract surgery? Ideally, your friends and family are people you trust, making their recommendations invaluable if you need advice about a cataract surgeon.

Often, you’ll find that a family member or friend has had a cataract surgeon who delivered excellent results. Although recommendations and referrals won’t guarantee that you won’t experience any issues, they can give you more confidence in your decision.

If someone you trust had a less than favorable experience with their cataract surgeon, this is information you can use to your advantage when making your choice. Another option worth considering is receiving a referral from your optometrist or eye doctor if your eye care practice doesn’t offer cataract surgery.

Often, these eye doctors have a specific group of cataract surgeons who refer patients who are exceptionally skilled and experienced in cataract surgery. If you’re unsure where to start, asking your eye doctor can help point you in the right direction of choosing a reputable cataract surgeon.

Credentials

When considering a potential cataract surgeon, take the time to learn about their educational background. Becoming a cataract surgeon requires extensive training from top institutions.

Your ideal cataract surgeon should be a certified ophthalmologist, highly trained, board-certified, and extensively skilled in performing cataract surgery. Try to collect as much information as possible about the cataract surgeon’s credentials to ensure they’re reliable.

Experience

Selecting a cataract surgeon with plenty of experience performing the procedure is crucial. You’re better off placing your eyes in the hands of an experienced surgeon than an inexperienced one.

Along with this, confirm the surgeon has no history of malpractice or disciplinary actions to reduce the risk of things going wrong.

Online Reviews

Although it may seem like using online reviews can be a slippery slope, they can be a valuable tool for better understanding your potential cataract surgeon. It’s never been easier to research a cataract surgeon’s reputation, thanks to Vitals, Google Reviews, ZocDoc, and Healthgrades.

These are all excellent places to vet a potential cataract surgeon. Patients who had exceptional experiences are usually willing and glad to leave positive reviews online.

Read reviews to understand what to expect from a particular cataract surgeon. For example, reading online feedback from patients that answer questions like these can give you a feel of the surgeon:

  • Does the surgeon provide patients with personalized care?
  • Were the latest cataract surgery techniques available?
  • Did the surgeon make them feel safe, informed, comfortable, and heard?
  • Are they happy they chose the surgeon, or do they regret their decision?

Remember to never gauge a surgeon just by checking their star rating. Although a cataract surgeon with a 5-star average might be better than one with a 2-star average, there are other essential aspects such as:

Timeline

Patient feedback should be current. Reviews two years old or older are less reliable than more recent ones.

Bedside Manner

Patients can come into cataract surgery with different emotions. For instance, a patient might be afraid or on edge.

A surgeon with an impeccable bedside manner can allay patients’ fears and make them feel more relaxed. Studies reveal that doctors with good bedside manners achieve superior outcomes and have more satisfied patients.

But when it comes to reviews, don’t place too much weight on complaints that only outline a doctor’s bedside manner. Some patients are known to be highly demanding. Instead, focus on reviews covering various aspects of a surgeon’s care, including their bedside manner.

Review Length

Longer reviews show that patients cared enough to share their experiences in detail. Pay more attention to reviews that go into detail rather than those with only a few words like “amazing!” or “So glad I went there.”

Quantity

A surgeon with more positive reviews has an accurate rating. To put this into perspective, despite the average rating, you’ll have a better overall impression of a surgeon with hundreds of reviews than a cataract surgeon with just one or two reviews.

It’s important to note that reviews are helpful when looking for the right surgeon. However, you should take them with a grain of salt.

The internet is rife with paid profiles, and sometimes patients leave reviews when they’re either distraught or too excited. Also, remember that it’s normal for cataract surgeons to have both positive and negative reviews.

If a surgeon has a few negative reviews, this is expected. Every patient has a different experience, no matter how amazing the surgeon.

However, keep an eye out for common red flags across many reviews. These may include not listening to what patients had to say, engaging in predatory billing practices, or having rude staff.

If you notice these in most of their reviews, it may be a sign to choose a different cataract surgeon.

Testimonials

Testimonials from patients are social proof of what previous patients think about a cataract surgeon. You get to know what other patients say about the surgeon you’re considering.

You can learn about a doctor’s level of attention, service, and care from testimonials. The best surgeons usually have patient testimonials on their websites and social media. Go through several of them to see what the surgeon can offer and if it’s what you’re looking for.

Website and Social Media Pages

A surgeon’s website and social media are valuable resources. Beyond containing a doctor’s profile, you’ll also learn about the cataract techniques in which they specialize.

Armed with this information, you can decide if a surgeon is a good match for your desired procedure.

Trusted, Reputable Cataract Surgeons

Cataracts can disrupt your way of life. It could be time for cataract surgery if you can no longer see, even with glasses.

The Eye Physicians of Long Beach team are reputable cataract surgeons who can help restore your vision. Want to improve your vision? Schedule your cataract screening with the best cataract surgeons at Eye Physicians of Long Beach in Long Beach, CA!