Choosing an Eye Doctor
Where do you go
when you are having difficulty with your eyesight? Depending on
the extent of the problem, your answer may vary. There are
several different types of eye doctors and eye specialists you
could see, including an ophthalmologist, optometrist, and
optician.
What Is an Ophthalmologist?
Ophthalmologists are eye doctors that specialize in the
medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system, and
also the
prevention of eye disease and injury. They can be either
doctors of medicine (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO).
While medical doctors focus on disease-specific diagnosis and
treatment, osteopaths concentrate on the loss of structure and
function in different parts of the body due to disease,
including the eye. An eye doctor who is an osteopath would give
treatment based on the assumption that treating the parts of the
visual system with the use of medicines, surgery, diet, and
other therapies, will therefore treat the underlying eye
problem.
An ophthalmologist is an eye doctor who has completed four
years of pre-medical undergraduate education, four years of
medical school, one year of internship, and three or more years
of specialized medical and surgical training in eye care. As a
qualified specialist, an ophthalmologist is licensed by a state
regulatory board to diagnose, treat, and manage conditions
affecting the eye and visual system. An ophthalmologist is
qualified to deliver total eye care, meaning vision services,
eye examinations, medical and surgical eye care, diagnosis and
treatment of disease, and visual complications that are caused
by other conditions, like diabetes.
What Is an Optometrist?
Optometrists are eye doctors of optometry (OD). They are
trained to examine, diagnose, treat, and manage some diseases
and disorders of the eye and visual system. The optometrist has
completed pre-professional undergraduate education and four
years of professional education at an accredited college of
optometry. In addition, some optometrists may have completed a
one-year optional residency in a specialized area. Optometrists
have not attended medical school.
Like ophthalmologists, optometrists are trained to examine
the internal and external structure of the eyes to detect
diseases such as
glaucoma ,
retinal detachment , and
cataracts . Optometrists do not perform eye surgery and are
not trained to care for and manage all diseases and disorders of
the eyes. The optometrist is trained to diagnose and treat
vision conditions such as nearsightedness , farsightedness ,
astigmatism , and presbyopia . They may also test a person's
ability to focus and coordinate the eyes and see depth and
colors accurately. Optometrists are licensed by states to
examine the eyes to determine the presence of vision problems
and visual acuity, prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, eye
exercises, low vision aids, vision therapy, and medications to
treat eye diseases.
What Is an Optician?
Opticians are eye healthcare professionals who work with
ophthalmologists and optometrists to provide vision services
related to the diagnosis and treatment of vision problems and
eye disease. They assist optometrists and ophthalmologists in
providing complete patient care before, during, and after exams,
procedures, and surgeries. With a two-year technical degree,
opticians analyze and interpret eye prescriptions; determine the
lenses that best meet a persons needs; oversee ordering and
verification of eye-related products from start to finish;
dispense, replace, adjust, repair, and reproduce previously
ordered contact lenses, eyeglasses, and frames.
Eye health is the result of a working partnership between you
and your eye healthcare provider. Ophthalmologists,
optometrists, and opticians work collectively and with the
patient to ensure good eye health and life-long vision. You
should visit your eye doctor - either an optometrist or
ophthalmologist -- for an eye exam at least once a year.
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