Methodology

The America’s Best Eye Doctors

2022 ranking awards the leading 350 eye doctors in the U.S. The ranking distinguishes ophthalmologists and optometrists in separate lists to account for the substantial differences in services and treatments provided.

▸ In total, 175 ophthalmologists and 175 optometrists were awarded.

▸ Eye doctors from all U.S. states were eligible for the ranking.

▸ During the survey period from May to June 2022, over 10,000 medical experts (opthalmologists, optometrists, clinic managers and other health care professionals) were invited to an online survey. In total, over 5,500 votes were collected and analyzed during the survey period.

▸ A score was calculated for each eye doctor based on the number of recommendations, a quality score and—if available—membership status in the American Board of Ophthalmology and the American Board of Optometry, respectively.

▸ In-state recommendations were weighted higher than out-of-state recommendations.

▸ Recommendations within one doctor group were weighted higher than recommendations from the other specialty (ophthalmology for optometry and vice versa).

▸ In the ophthalmologist survey, participants were also able to specify a standout treatment (cornea, retina, glaucoma) for the recommended ophthalmologists (if applicable).

▸ Most awarded eye doctors work primarily in an outpatient practice where patients can schedule direct appointments with the respective eye doctor (as opposed to inpatient settings).

Recommendation Score 80 PERCENT OF SCORE

IN-STATE (35 percent of score) ▸ Survey participants were asked to name the leading optometrists and ophthalmologists in their own state or in one of four regions (northeast, midwest, west and south). The order in which recommendations were provided was relevant to the ranking (number 1 has the highest weight).

Participants in the ophthalmologist survey were asked to specify a standout treatment (cornea, retina, glaucoma). Self-recommendations were not allowed and led to disqualification from the survey.

OUT-OF-STATE (25 percent of score) ▸ Survey participants were asked to recommend the leading doctors in their respective field in any of the other states or four regions included in the survey.

RECOMMENDATION BY OTHER

SPECIALITY (20 percent of score) ▸ Optionally, ophthalmologists were able to recommend optometrists and vice versa.

Quality Score 15 PERCENT OF SCORE

A quality score was calculated for each in-state recommendation along three quality dimensions. Participants were asked to rank the doctors on a scale from 1 (“poor”) to 100 (“excellent”) on: ▸ Quality of care (50%) ▸ Continuity of care (30%) ▸ Quality of technical equipment (20%)

Accreditation 5 PERCENT OF SCORE

Doctors who are members of the American Board of Ophthalmology or the American Board of Optometry, respectively, had an additional 5 percent added to their total score.

The rankings are composed exclusively of eye doctors that are eligible regarding the scope described here. A mention in the ranking is a positive recognition based on peer recommendations. The ranking is the result of an elaborate process which, due to the interval of data-collection and analysis, is a reflection of the last 12 months only. Any events following June 22, 2022, were not considered. This ranking should not be used as the sole source of information for deliberations. The information provided in this ranking should be considered with other available information about eye doctors or, if possible, by a visit to the clinic. The quality of doctors not included in the rankings is not disputed. Statista does not take any reposnsibilty for the correctness or completeness of the information.