Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist | Eye Doctors

Having eye-health problems? You need the right eye doctors to find the right treatments! But you may be confused on choosing between optometrist and ophthalmologist -- ‘two major types of eye doctors’! The following are pieces of helpful information about eye health professionals that you should clearly understand.

You might also like to know more detailed information about cataract surgery recovery, before continuing!

Before discussing about optometrist and ophthalmologist, there is also an eye-health professional what we call as ‘opticians’. They are also familiar known as dispensing opticians that usually help patients in some important ways, like filling the lens as well as the prescriptions given by ophthalmologist or optometrist. They usually obtain a 1-2 year technical degree/diploma/certificate -- but they are not specially trained to do or perform ‘eye exams’!

Other major services of opticians may include:

1. Evaluate the right lens prescriptions given by optometrist and ophthalmologist.
2. They are also familiar to replace, adjust, dispense, and repair glasses, contact lenses, and eyeglass frames!
3. Take/do facial measurements.
4. Sometimes, opticians may also be able to give advice about form of lens for patient’s needs.
5. And generally, they also take charge of checking/ordering eye-related products (such as contact lenses & eyeglass lenses).

Optometrists

Generally, they can complete/finish an undergraduate degree before beginning 4 years of training for OD (optometry degree). Some of them also can get a specialist certification by completing a postgraduate 1-year clinical residency.

Astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness are some vision conditions that can be diagnosed & treated as well by optometrists. Moreover, they are also trained to diagnose retinal disease, glaucoma, and cataracts. They are also trained to use/decide some medications (in some states) to cure eye disease.

Other services of optometrists may include:

1. Prescribing contact lenses, vision therapy, vision therapy, and low vision aids!
2. Diagnosing other eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
3. Vision services, like examining and treating strabismus and mblyopia!
4. Sometimes, they may also be involved in pre/postoperative care for eye surgery.

Ophthalmologists

They gain DOs (doctors of osteopathy) or MDs (doctors of medicine) -- they are physicians! After gaining physician certification, they usually need about 1 year to complete internship, and then they undergo a residency of about 3 years or more. In this period, they are specially training for eye care.

The following are some services of ophthalmologist:

1. Eye exam services.
2. Making a diagnosis and deciding the right treatments for vision conditions related to other health conditions -- like optic neuritis (vision condition that is related to brain problems), iritis (vision condition that is related to arthritis), and diabetic retinopathy (eye condition that is related to diabetes).
3. Medical eye care for some vision conditions (such as; orbital cellulites, chemical burns, and glaucoma).
4. Surgical eye service/care -- like for cataracts, trauma, tumors, glaucoma, etc!
5. Some ophthalmologists are also trained for plastic surgery!

What you should consider on choosing an eye doctor?

1. Check the qualification! Both optometrist and ophthalmologist must be gained or licensed to practice in your state. You can also consider their medical school -- make sure they have their degrees from an accredited optometry school.
2. As mentioned before, both optometrist and ophthalmologist offer many eye care services. Check the service offered that is actually needed! And then ensure that you get what you need!
3. Ask their professional experience! Eye doctors who have a large number of patients are more likely to have greater ability to exam, diagnose, and treat a vision condition.
4. Find also more testimonials from other patients if necessary! You can also ask your neighbors, friends, family members who have seen an eye doctor. You may get the best recommendation from this idea! Additionally, sometimes ophthalmologist & optometrist work in the same office!

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