Ophthalmologist and optometrists are two of the main eye care professionals. Both play an important part in helping you maintain the health and function of your eyes. However, while each type of eye doctor provides vision care, knowing the care you need can be confusing. Choosing the appropriate eye care provider depends on individual needs, symptoms, and treatment goals.
The primary differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists are their education and ability to perform surgical procedures. While all ophthalmologists can perform the tasks of optometrists, optometrists cannot perform all of the tasks of ophthalmologists. An optometrist is like a primary care provider for the eyes, while an ophthalmologist is a specialist who can handle more complex cases.
An ophthalmologist is a licensed medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) who has completed medical school, a yearlong internship, and a residency in ophthalmology. Many ophthalmologists also undergo additional fellowship training in a subspecialty. This eye care professional is trained to perform comprehensive eye exams, diagnose and treat eye diseases, and prescribe medications and corrective lenses.
Ophthalmologists manage complex conditions such as:
They can also perform surgical procedures such as cataract removal, laser eye surgery, and retinal repair.
An optometrist, also known as an eye doctor, holds a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree after completing two to four years of college-level education, followed by four years of optometry school. These eye care professionals perform comprehensive eye exams and vision tests, detect and manage ocular and vision problems, and diagnose and prescribe eye medications for certain conditions.
Additionally, optometrists can diagnose refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. They can also detect signs of systemic conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes, during routine eye exams. However, unlike ophthalmologists, optometrists cannot perform eye surgeries as they are not medical doctors.
Patients should consult the care of an ophthalmologist when experiencing the following symptoms:
Those diagnosed with complex or progressive eye diseases and chronic conditions like diabetes or autoimmune diseases should also be under the care of an ophthalmologist for advanced evaluation and treatment. Additionally, individuals who need to undergo eye surgery, such as for cataracts or retinal issues, need to consult an ophthalmologist.
Optometrists can perform routine eye exams, prescribe glasses or contact lenses, and address general vision concerns. Many optometrists can also work with the ophthalmologist to co-manage the patient's pre-and post-surgery care. Children, adolescents, and older adults with stable vision needs may need to visit an optometrist annually or as recommended for vision screening and updates to corrective lenses.
Ophthalmologists and optometrists are essential eye care professionals who can help you maintain your vision health. Are you due for an annual appointment? Call our New Rochelle office to schedule your next visit.
Request an appointment here: https://brighteyesny.com or call Bright Eyes Optometry at (914) 730-9574 for an appointment in our New Rochelle office.
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