No one really takes their vision for granted. Problems that are concerning the eye are problems that greatly concern us as individuals. While we might fight off a toothache in hopes it gets better or try to simply rest up with a hurt limb, most of us have no problems whatsoever in rushing to a doctor if we think something is wrong with our eyes. The medical discipline covering issues of the eye is known as optometry, and it has perhaps come a longer way than most other medical branches. Whether it’s a procedure to fix an actual problem or merely a thorough eye exam to try to catch one early, a qualified optometrist is a valuable commodity in any society.
Finding a quality optometry clinic is important for you and your family. Though just because it’s important to have your eyes looked after in no way means that you still shouldn’t know a lot about the genre. Never trust an optometrist blindly, no pun intended. Let’s take a few moments to find out more about an optometrist, as in who regulates this medical practice in the nation.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists and the OEBC
Licensed optometrists are easy to find information on. They’re all registered to the same organization, and thus it’s simple to track down who does the regulatory duties for the practice in Canada. The Canadian Association of Optometrists is what optometrists consider their “national voice,” as in it’s like a leadership board and a community of doctors who support one another, talk about the latest science and procedures, and more. All told, there are over 5,400 members of the board.
When it comes to who regulates these doctors, it’s the Optometry Examining Board of Canada (OEBC). This is a non-profit private organization that acts pretty much like a governmental body when regulating what’s happening with optometry. It does have very close ties to the Crown, however, as the OEBC is linked intrinsically to government and must abide by legislative standards.
The Importance of Finding the Right Optometrist
1: You Know They’re Complying with Regulations
Finding a qualified optometry clinic is important because you know that they’re practicing under the regulatory body and are thus committed to better standards and practices. Over 10% of the practicing optometrists are not members of the Association, so it’s very important that you find doctors who are willingly regulated and committed to a higher standard.
2: The Doctors Are More Skilled
Generally speaking, a quality clinic has a higher calibre of doctors. This isn’t to take anything away from doctors who may be practicing at unpopular clinics. They might be very fine doctors. But if they were the best doctors, then they would be working for the best clinics. This is still a business, by and large, and so the cream rises to the top.
3: Exams and Procedures Can be Trusted
You’re putting a lot of trust into the hands of someone who will be poking around your eye or the eyes of your children. Making sure that you’re in the best possible hands is very important here. You do not want a doctor to miss any early signs of disease or any such issue. This isn’t an insult to any doctors at all; it’s merely a benefit to the patient to visit quality clinics.
4: They Create a Better Overall Environment
The environment of a clinic also matters. Its cleanliness, how welcome you feel there, how much it feels like a comfortable space and not some empty, stale office, etc. These are things that matter to people, especially to children who need to remain calm. You should definitely be focused on finding a high-quality clinic that makes you feel comfortable, and that comes across to you like a warm, welcoming and professional atmosphere.
There are all sorts of issues out there that can really affect your vision and a lot of issues that can have lasting, long-term impacts. So, it’s very important that you see an optometrist. Before you do, however, just make sure that you’re visiting the right clinic for you and your family.