Everyone knows that if you are having eye problems the best person to help you is a vision doctor. But, are you aware that there are different types of eye doctors? Do you know that an ophthalmologist is different from an optometrist and an optometrist is different from an optician? A lot of people get confused with these terms. More often than not, if you don’t do your research you’ll likely end up in the wrong clinic.
If it’s time to get your eyes checked, whether it’s just an annual checkup or if something is wrong with your eyesight, you need to know who to look for because the right eye care professional will be able to provide you with the treatments you need. Let’s learn about the different eye care providers.
Ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors specializing in vision and eye care. What makes an ophthalmologist different from an optician and optometrist is the training they received as well as what vision problems they can diagnose and treat. Since ophthalmologists are medical doctors it means they completed their college degree as well as eight more years in medical training. They are qualified to practice medicine and do surgeries. Ophthalmologists are licensed to diagnose and treat all forms of eye disease and they are also trained to do eye surgery and prescribe eye devices to correct vision problems. Some ophthalmologists choose to immerse in scientific research that aims to find cures and treatments for vision disorders and eye diseases.
Ophthalmologists can also choose to subspecialize if they want to focus on a specific area like surgery or medical eye care. To become a subspecialist, he or she must undergo an additional one to two years of training. Examples of subspecialty areas include pediatrics, cornea, retina, neurology, plastic surgery, and glaucoma among others. Additional training and education are necessary to prepare ophthalmologists for more complicated eye problems.
Optometrists
Optometrists offer primary vision care such as sight testing and correction, diagnosing, managing, and treating various vision problems. What makes them different from ophthalmologists is they are not considered medical doctors. However, they received an OD degree or doctor of optometry degree after graduating four years from an optometry school. However, they must complete at least four years in college. They prescribe and dispense corrective lenses and medications for eye diseases. They also do vision tests and exams.
Opticians
Opticians are not medical doctors but rather are considered technicians that specialize in designing, verifying, and fitting contact lenses and eyeglass lenses and frames as well other vision devices to correct problematic eyesight. They are the receivers of the prescriptions made by optometrists and ophthalmologists. However, they are not qualified to test vision nor write prescriptions. They are also not allowed to diagnose eye conditions and they do not treat vision problems.
Our vision is crucial in our day-to-day lives. Imagine not being able to see clearly. Not only will it affect your work but it will also put your life and health in jeopardy. Without your vision, you won’t be able to enjoy your life. You can’t drive, you can’t play your favorite sport, you won’t be able to recognize faces, well, you get the picture. It is advised that you visit an ophthalmologist by the time you reach 40 years old for an eye exam or as often as necessary. If you have diabetes, double vision, distorted vision, eyelid abnormalities, bulging eyes, decreased vision, excess tearing, eye pain, eye injury, high blood pressure, AIDS, HIV, or family history of eye disease then all the more you need to see an eye doctor. Don’t wait until you are 40 to see one.