the Price of an Opthamologist

Back in June I injured my eye while working outside. Turned out to be a scratched cornea, which required 3 trips to the Ophthalmologist. The first 2 visits were $70 each, the third was $50. On each visit my vision was checked and the Doctor placed dye in my eye and then examined it with a light. I also received a free sample of antibiotic drops for my eye.

I was very pleased my first two visits. The first visit I had to fill out the required new patient paperwork, and within two minutes after I'd completed it I was called back to the examining room. A technician asked me a few questions and performed a quick vision exam. Within 5 minutes of their leaving the room, the Doctor entered, performed his exam, spoke with me a few minutes and I was out the door. A pretty expensive 15 minutes or so, but he probably spent more time with me than my family physician usually does and at about the same price.

The last visit was pretty much the same, except that this one required a great deal more waiting. I was only in the waiting room for about 10 minutes before I was taken back to an examining room, again asked a few questions by the technician and again give a quick vision exam. The technician left and I sat and waited. Thank goodness their were at least some magazines nearby, but honestly I browsed through a Readers Digest in its entirety before the Doctor finally came in. He spent the usual amount of time with me, but my entire visit this time was over an hour.

Except for the final visit, I was very happy with the care I received and my eye healed nicely.

If you don't already have an Ophthalmologist, get some recommendations from family and friends if you're in need of their services. Bring along a book or some paperwork to complete in case you have to wait. At least you won't feel like you have wasted a lot of time just sitting!