Dr. Faulkner was the fifth ophthalmologist and third corneal specialist I saw last year. This is why I like him:
1. He took his time. At my first appointment, I think he was in the room with me for at least 30 minutes.
2. He explained things to me in language I could understand and did not make me feel stupid. He showed me diagrams, let my husband look through the slit lamp (at my clogged meibomian glands), gave me a real diagnosis.
3. He didn't saturate my eyes with drops. Other eye docs used lots of numbing drops and different stains. Dr. Faulkner used a "micro-drop" of the yellow stain.
4. He explained that in order to effectively treat dry eyes, one must determine the cause (!) and proceded to explain why my eyes were dry and how we were going to address each problem.
5. He is interested in dry eye and is up on the latest studies and literature. He attends conferences and speaks on dry eye topics
6. He gave me information. I left my first appointment with a small stack of papers -- conference/journal information, one of Rebecca's pamphlets, a sheet outlining the regimen he wanted me to follow, a recommendation to do my own research.
7. He answers all of my questions to the best of his ability. He never acts like what I've asked or suggested is dumb.
8. He gave me hope. The doctor I saw before him told me, "There's no cure for what you have and these things generally get worse over time." Dr. Faulkner told me, "I'm sure we can get this under control."
This all was such a far cry from the previous four doctors! And every time I see him, he asks me, "Have you called Rebecca yet?" A doctor who is not afraid of a dry eye patient forum that is, at times, hostile towards doctors... a good thing.
Teri
1. He took his time. At my first appointment, I think he was in the room with me for at least 30 minutes.
2. He explained things to me in language I could understand and did not make me feel stupid. He showed me diagrams, let my husband look through the slit lamp (at my clogged meibomian glands), gave me a real diagnosis.
3. He didn't saturate my eyes with drops. Other eye docs used lots of numbing drops and different stains. Dr. Faulkner used a "micro-drop" of the yellow stain.
4. He explained that in order to effectively treat dry eyes, one must determine the cause (!) and proceded to explain why my eyes were dry and how we were going to address each problem.
5. He is interested in dry eye and is up on the latest studies and literature. He attends conferences and speaks on dry eye topics
6. He gave me information. I left my first appointment with a small stack of papers -- conference/journal information, one of Rebecca's pamphlets, a sheet outlining the regimen he wanted me to follow, a recommendation to do my own research.
7. He answers all of my questions to the best of his ability. He never acts like what I've asked or suggested is dumb.
8. He gave me hope. The doctor I saw before him told me, "There's no cure for what you have and these things generally get worse over time." Dr. Faulkner told me, "I'm sure we can get this under control."
This all was such a far cry from the previous four doctors! And every time I see him, he asks me, "Have you called Rebecca yet?" A doctor who is not afraid of a dry eye patient forum that is, at times, hostile towards doctors... a good thing.
Teri
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