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 care specialists you
could see, including an ophthalmologist, optometrist, and
optician.
What is an ophthalmologist?
Ophthalmologists are
doctors that specialize in the medical and surgical care of the
eyes and visual system, and also in the prevention of eye disease
and injury. They can be either doctors of medicine (M.D.) or
doctors of osteopathy (D.O.). 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
caused by disease.
An ophthalmologist 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, and diagnosis and treatment of disease and visual
complications that are caused by other conditions, like
diabetes.
What is an optometrist?
Optometrists are doctors of
optometry (O.D.). They are trained to examine, diagnose, treat, and
manage some diseases and disorders of the visual system. The
optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education
and four years of professional education at an accredited college
of optometry. (Optometrists do not attend medical school.) In
addition, some optometrists may have completed a one-year optional
residency in a specialized area.
Like ophthalmologists, optometrists are trained to examine the
internal and external structure of the eyes to detect diseases like
glaucoma, retinal diseases, and cataracts. Optometrists do not
perform 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 like 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 the state to
examine the eyes to determine the presence of vision problems and
visual acuity. They also 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. 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 person's
needs; oversee ordering and verification of eye-related products
from start to finish; and dispense, replace, adjust, repair, and
reproduce contacts, eyeglasses, and frames.