What Is an Ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is one of several types of professionals who have a specific role to play in the field of vision health. Along with optometrists and opticians, an ophthalmologist can make up a part of a comprehensive eye care team. The similar-sounding names of these three types of providers can cause confusion among patients. However, each has training and skills specific to the tasks they have to perform. Knowing the differences can help patients seek out the specific professional best suited to address their needs.

Difference between an ophthalmologist and other eye care professionals

Opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists each have different tasks to perform within the field of eye care:

• Opticians: Fill prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, making adjustments and repairs as needed
• Optometrists: Perform vision tests and eye exams, and prescribe corrective lenses to treat certain eye conditions
• Ophthalmologists: Diagnose and treat diseases of the eye while providing vision services similar to what an optometrist does

Differences between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist

The main difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist is that the latter is a medical doctor. Optometrists hold a four-year Doctor of Optometry degree, which allows them to provide primary vision health care in the form of vision tests, eye exams and prescriptions for corrective lenses. While performing screening tests as part of a routine eye exam, an optometrist may detect signs of an eye disease, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or cataracts. However, an optometrist is unable to treat such a disease and will therefore likely refer the patient to an ophthalmologist.

As a medical doctor, an ophthalmologist has received approximately three times the education and training that an optometrist has, having completed a degree program that lasts approximately 12 to 13 years. A doctor of ophthalmology can perform all the same services that an optometrist can but can also do much more besides. In addition to merely diagnosing disorders of the eye, an ophthalmologist can provide treatment as well. Sometimes this includes performing surgery to remove cataracts, correct vision or raise eyelids that have become droopy with age.

Specialization within the ophthalmology field

Ophthalmology is already a specialized field of medicine, sometimes entailing a one- to two-year fellowship in addition to the combined eight years of undergraduate studies and medical school, plus the three-year residency, required to obtain an MD degree. The fellowship provides in-depth training in a subspecialty within the field of ophthalmology. With a subspecialty, an ophthalmologist can provide care in the particular area that is of greatest professional interest. Examples of subspecialties include pediatric ophthalmology, oculoplastic surgery and diseases specifically affecting the cornea or retina.

Conclusion

The human eye is one of the most complicated structures in the body. While some can receive sufficient care from an optometrist and may never require a doctor of ophthalmology, many patients require the services of a comprehensive eye care team that includes an ophthalmologist, an optician and an optometrist to diagnose and treat whatever specific eye health issues that may arise.

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