Seattle interest only: Need an ophthalmologist recommendation

[weaselmom]

This is probably a long shot, but do any of you have a rec for a really really excellent eye doctor (optometrist is probably okay - I don't think I need to go straight to an ophthalmologist yet)? Needs to be in Seattle or south of there, not the Eastside or north end. I'm looking for a combination of excellent bedside manner (because I've had a bad experience and am easily spooked) and excellent medical skills (so I'm tending away from any backwaters or shopping malls).

I really like the optometrist I've gone to for 23 years. He's very gentle and calming, but he's also going on 70 years old. I'm wondering if I should see somebody, well, younger just to make sure that whatever's going on gets taken care of. I've become *extremely* light-sensitive and my eyes hurt quite a lot all the time and they feel really dry. I know part of it is I probably need a new contact lens prescription, because these don't feel like they fit right. But the constant pain is carving itself into my face. I'm really scared to go to a doctor, but really scared not to. This is my life.

Anyway, I'm open to suggestions and grateful for your input.

It's been a long and irritating day. My eyes agree.

Comments

[stroppy-baggage.livejournal.com]

Light sensitive, sore & dry? Is this a sticky kind of dry? Basically, that's what I'm stuck with, and a few things besides.

I've seen the optometrist at Phinney Eye Care (who have good 'bedisde manner') and the opthamologist at a clinic next to Ballard's Swedish. I think they're both good to okay, but I think you should hold out for a glowing recommendation. Let me know if you find a good opthamologist.

I'll also be curious if what you have is anything more than eye strain.

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

It's more of a scratchy kind of dry. I know my problems are compounded by the ferrets and the dust and mold in our place, which all combine to set off a constant, low-level allergy irritation. I am seriously hoping this is nothing more than an urgent need for new, properly fitting lenses. So far this morning I have cried *twice* from pain. This is where you step in and assure me I'm an idiot for living this way...

[stroppy-baggage.livejournal.com]

I am happy to step in & assure you that you, are indeed, an IDIOT for living this way. If something causes you that much discomfort, you deal with it immediately because leting something like that continue can just makes things worse.

Dummy.

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

Now didn't that feel good? =)

[jeanineers.livejournal.com]

mine retired.

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

Mine probably should. His office manager retired a few years ago. I may be his only remaining patient. But *such* a nice man!

[edichka2.livejournal.com]

The main difference between an optometrist (O.D.) and an ophthalmologist (M.D.) is that the latter profession performs surgery and other major procedures. Both can diagnose and prescribe. Either should be able to help you with what you're describing.

G'luck,
- Eddie

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

Doh - I meant optometrist. I typed the subject line and forgot to change it to optometrist! It seems to me that optometrists are thicker on the ground than ophthalmologists, so statistically that may be a better bet. There's one really really good ophtho up at VM who is such an unbelievable jerk that I wouldn't go to him unless my eyeballs had popped out and went rolling down the sidewalk. Then I'd consider it.

[malixe.livejournal.com]

I don't have a wide range of experience with assorted eye docs, because I've had the same guy since the 90's. I guess I must be happy with him, eh? I don't really think about it that way, because going to the eye doctor is just something I do because it needs to be done, but my DO, Riley Nakatsu, is a calm, quiet, pleasant individual who seems to take a genuine interest in making sure that my eyes work as good as they're gonna.

He works out of Broadway Vision Source, which is no longer -on- Broadway, but a few blocks down from it on Pike & Bellevue. The staff is friendly, (sometimes almost too much so--one lady was so friendly she was kind of scary--like the high school cheerleader with a little too much 'school spirit') the place can be a bit busy at times depending 'pon when you're there.

But it all goes away when you're back in the exam room.


http://www.visionsource-broadwayvision.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=site.staff

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

By golly, this is a really good recommendation. I checked out their Web site and like the sound of the place quite a bit. Calm, quiet and pleasant is what I need, and it sounds like they are used to dealing with problem eyes. I am really grateful to you for this!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Sounds to me like it's time to get a classy pair of glasses to give your eyes a rest for a while while you hunt down a new optometrist.

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

I have a shockingly expensive pair of glasses, but they just don't work for me at all (and they're a recent prescription too, like 6 or 8 months ago!). I've never been able to walk in them, even, and I can't use them with a computer. Dammit.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Did you try to get them to fix the 'scrip?

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

No, I just gave up, as it was the second time. I think my scrip is such that glasses just don't work with it. They were mostly okay for reading, but my eyes changed again the last 4-5 months and the vision in my left eye is getting better - I can sit and read a book without corrective lenses. Weird. Eerie.

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

I could never use glasses when I had contacts, either, because the contacts deformed my eyeballs and made the glasses wrong. But the suggestion to ditch contacts for awhile is likely the right one. Ditch them for a couple of days and then go in, get glasses, and wear them.

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

My vision is so bad that the only way I could go w/o my contacts is to sit in a room for two straight days and do nothing. Seriously, you would not believe how thick my glasses lenses are, and they already are the thinnest possible! Glasses just aren't an option for all-day wear. I don't get the peripheral vision I need. My boss got LASIK but I think he's crazy to do it.

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

Oh I agree. Lasik is a risk I'm not willing to take, especially since I am already into bifocals.

[silvergoth.livejournal.com]

FWIW - Matt and Ellen both got LASIK and have been thrilled with the results. Perfect vision for both. I can get you the clinic info when you're ready. It's in Bellevue. I watched Matt get his. It was cool! No pain, and quick recovery.

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

What worries me is the long-term effects, which are simply not known. Plus there is always a chance - small but there - that something could go wrong. I'm old enough to remember what was happening over time to people who had RK. The clinic I went to does see a number of patients with bad post-LASIK side effects.

I can't believe you watched him get it! Uh, or should I say, YKIOKIJNMK.

[alexiarnps.livejournal.com]

Richard Bensinger, MD.

206-292-6427

He's a doctor, specializing in eyes. Great guy. He can do just glasses or fix your detached retina, whichever.