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Shared eye surgery care
Two doctors, one plan for your eyes.
With shared care, your surgeon performs the operation and your own eye doctor handles some checkups before and after. You choose whether it works this way.
Shared care is also called co-management.
It is common for cataract and laser vision surgery. The surgeon and your eye doctor agree on who sees you when, and that plan should be explained to you before surgery.
How shared care usually works.
Your eye doctor
Finds the problem, checks your eyes and refers you.
Your surgeon
Confirms the plan and performs the surgery.
The handoff
Care moves back to your eye doctor in writing.
Follow-up visits
Checks for healing, pressure and vision.
Your choice
You agree to shared care or stay with the surgeon.
Clear roles
You know which doctor sees you for each visit.
Care close to home.
Follow-up visits can happen at the office you already know, often closer to where you live.
One shared record.
Your doctors share notes so each one knows what the other found and what you are taking.
Your say
You decide how your care is shared.
Before surgery you should be told about shared care and agree to it. You can ask to see the surgeon for all of your visits.
Know who to call.
Find out which office to call with problems after hours, especially in the first days after surgery.
Questions to ask before surgery.
Who sees me when?
Ask which visits are with which doctor.
Who do I call?
Get the after-hours number in writing.
If there is a problem?
Ask who handles complications.
Shared care fits many surgeries.
Start with an eye exam.
A full exam with your own eye doctor is the first step toward any eye surgery, whether you need it now or later.
Keep exploring.
Fast answers.
Do I have to use shared care?
No. You can choose to have all of your follow-up visits with your surgeon.
Will my eye doctor know what was done?
Yes. The surgeon shares the surgery details and the plan for your drops and visits.
Does Medicare allow shared care?
Yes, for cataract surgery when the transfer of care is in writing and you agree to it.
Who handles a problem after surgery?
Your doctors agree on this in advance. Ask who to call before your surgery day.
Find an eye doctor to start the conversation.
Find an eye doctor near you with the Vision Rescue doctor locator.
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Sources and notes
- First Coast Service Options (Medicare contractor): Postoperative co-management
- National Eye Institute: Cataract surgery
- FDA: LASIK risks and finding the right doctor
- Exam-room and showroom photography are owned Eye Care Advisors assets approved for use by Vision Rescue.
- Full source list: Vision Rescue sources
This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Only an eye care professional who has examined you can recommend what is right for your eyes.
