What Should I Ask My Eye Doctor Before a Surgery Referral? 5 Questions That Matter

It usually happens during a routine visit. Your eye doctor leans back from the exam light and says, “It might be time to talk to a surgeon.” Maybe it’s cataracts turning oncoming headlights into starbursts on the drive home. Maybe it’s the tenth year of dry, irritated contacts. Either way, you leave with a name on a card, and a big decision about your eyes just got real.

A referral is a starting point, not a final answer. Before you make that call, ask your eye doctor these five questions:

How experienced is this surgeon, and are they board-certified?
Do you have more than one recommendation?
Are you paid for this referral?
How far away is their practice?
Is it physician- or corporate-owned?

Here’s why each of these questions matters, and what a good answer sounds like.

1. How Experienced Is the Surgeon, and Are They Board Certified?

Every ophthalmologist completes medical school and at least four years of hands-on surgical training, but board certification goes a step further. The American Board of Ophthalmology certifies surgeons who pass rigorous exams and keep their knowledge current throughout their careers. (You can verify any surgeon for board certification at ABO’s site, and it takes less than a minute.)

Experience is important too. Most procedures go smoothly, but an experienced surgeon is better prepared for the rare moment when one doesn’t.

What to ask:

Is the surgeon board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology?
How many years have they been performing this procedure?
Roughly how many procedures like mine have they done?

2. Do You Have More Than One Recommendation?

A trustworthy eye doctor knows more than one great surgeon and is happy to share who they are. Several recommendations signal that your doctor is recommending based on fit, not habit or obligation.

Different surgeons also offer different technologies. If you’re exploring vision correction, one practice may offer only LASIK, while another offers LASIK, SMILE Pro, PRK, and EVO ICL. More options mean a better chance of a procedure that truly fits your eyes.

A good answer to this question sounds like: “Here are two or three surgeons I trust, and here’s why I’d send you to each one.”

3. Are You Paid for This Referral?

It’s a fair question that an eye doctor shouldn’t mind answering.

The federal Anti-Kickback Statute makes it a crime to pay for, or accept payment for, referrals of services covered by Medicare or Medicaid (which are most cataract surgeries). However, your eye doctor may be paid for care they actually provide, like your follow-up visits after surgery. This is called co-management and is common and legitimate, but payment simply for sending you somewhere is not.

What to watch out for: If the question is dodged, brushed off, or leads to the visit becoming uncomfortable, take note. A clear, open answer is part of what makes a referral trustworthy.

4. How Far Away Is Their Practice?

Distance can make or break a patient's ability to realistically visit any doctor. Cataract surgery and vision correction come with several follow-up visits, so a long drive can complicate their participation in necessary aftercare.

In a metro area like Detroit, being sent more than an hour away when excellent options are nearby is worth questioning. Ask why that surgeon was chosen over closer ones.

That said, don’t let geography alone rule out a promising practice. Some patients gladly drive from Ann Arbor, Lansing, or Toledo for a surgeon with exceptional outcomes. Your local eye doctor can often handle follow-ups closer to home if needed, so the drive may end up being a one-time trip.

5. Is It a Physician-Owned or Corporate-Owned Practice?

Ownership shapes the patient’s experience. Private equity firms have acquired hundreds of ophthalmology and optometry practices in the U.S. since 2011, and most of those acquisitions are in urban areas.

Why should you care? Well, while not every corporate-owned practice is the same (and many deliver excellent care), some have earned a reputation for high-volume, assembly-line care. Long waits, rushed consultations, and limited time with the surgeon. You may save money but walk away feeling like a number.

What to ask:

Who owns the practice?
Will I meet the surgeon at my consultation, or an assistant?
How long do consultations typically take?

What Makes a Referral Worth Trusting?

The best referrals come with solid reasons. Your eye doctor should be able to explain why they trust a surgeon, whether it’s outcomes, patient feedback, their specific speciality, or the way their patients are cared for.

“A good referral should feel like a trusted friend’s recommendation, not like a handoff. If your eye doctor can tell you exactly why they trust a surgeon, that tells you more than any ad ever could.” — Dr. Joshua Vrabec, MD

Ask Us, Too

We’d also encourage you to ask us all five of these questions to make an informed decision about your eye care. At Clear Vision, your consultation is with your actual surgeon. Our practice is 100% physician-owned, and we have a private, accredited surgical suite right here in Rochester. If a procedure isn’t right for your eyes, we’ll tell you, and we’ll point you toward what is.

Schedule your consultation today at either our Rochester or Bloomfield Hills locations, or give us a call at (248) 215-0326 with any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to see the surgeon my eye doctor recommends?
No. A referral is a recommendation, and you’re free to choose any qualified surgeon, including one you find on your own.

Is it rude to ask my eye doctor if they’re paid for referrals?
Not at all. It’s a reasonable question about your care, and a trustworthy doctor will answer it plainly.

How can I check if my surgeon is board-certified?
Search the surgeon’s name on the American Board of Ophthalmology’s website.

Can my regular eye doctor handle my follow-up care after surgery?
Often, yes. Many surgeons work with local optometrists to handle follow-up visits, which can make a farther practice more practical.

About Dr. Joshua Vrabec, MD
Dr. Joshua Vrabec is a board-certified ophthalmologist and the founder of Clear Vision Cataract & LASIK Center, a 100% physician-owned practice with a Quad-A accredited, on-site surgical suite. For more than 25 years, he has helped thousands of patients reach their vision goals through advanced cataract surgery, LASIK, and other vision correction procedures. Before founding his practice in 2019, he served as Medical Director at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center and as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan. He completed his medical degree and his residency, where he served as Chief Resident, at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Dr. Vrabec is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the World College of Refractive Surgery, and he has given more than 100 professional lectures, presentations, and publications.