The Difference In Eye Doctors
Choosing the appropriate eye doctor for your medical needs is one of the most important
things you need to do for proper health! If you think about it, this is the person youll be entrusting your vision in - so you want to make the right decision! There are three main types of people who help you with your eyes: an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and an optician. Most people dont know the difference between the three and within that, only two are doctors. So, heres a small overview to finding the right eye care professional for your optical needs.
For basic eye care needs, like getting an eyeglass prescription, an optometrist is a great resource. So, what is an optometrist? Well, he or she is an eye doctor who earned a degree as a Doctor of Optometry (OD). Your optometrist can prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses; as well as correct refractive errors and examine your eyes for vision problems that may even be hiding other health problems. In the United States, optometrists are licensed to prescribe certain medications that can treat eye problems and diseases. Granted, the scope of their medical care is up to state law. In certain states, optometrists can participate in your operative care before and after eye surgery as well as perform certain eye surgeries. Again, this is limited by state.
So, if an optometrist can do all of that, what does an ophthalmologist do? As a medical doctor, an ophthalmologist is a trained medical professional who specializes in eye and vision care. They are also trained to perform eye exams, can prescribe eye wear, diagnose and treat eye diseases and conditions, and prescribe medications. Ophthalmologists can also perform eye surgeries, when needed. They exams you get from an ophthalmologist will likely be more extensive and take longer than an exam performed by an optometrist. Additionally, your visit to an ophthalmologist is generally covered by your health insurance, whereas your visit to an optometrist may not be.
If those two are doctors, what does an optician do? They are a vital part of an eye care team! They take the prescriptions written by your ophthalmologist or optometrist and use it to fit and sell a proper pair of eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other eye wear on to patients. Some of them completed an opticianry training program and are even licensed but that is dependent on state law. Not every state requires opticians to become legally certified after formal training and licensure.
When you need a proper pair of
prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, your first step should be to go to an ophthalmologist or optometrist to get a prescription and then either find an optician to fit the glasses to your face or go online to buy the glasses. If you are having vision issues, head to your ophthalmologist for a comprehensive exam and remember to be specific about what type of vision problems youre experiencing. If your glasses break or you have a general question about your
eyeglass lenses, just ask your optician. Remember, if youre experiencing any vision problems, go to the MD; for a simple exam, head to the DO; and for proper fittings, just ask your optician.
by: Hillary Glaser
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