When You Can Hardly See, All the More You'll Need to Look For the Right Kind of Eye Doctor

If a fastball accidentally hits your eye, what kind of eye doctor will you go to, an ophthalmologist or an optometrist? If you answered the latter, then you are in big trouble, like striking out with bases loaded in the ninth inning. Although those two share similar functions and responsibilities, they differ in responsibilities. Ophthalmologists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and injuries, while optometrists examine eyes for defects, problems, and impairments, and prescribe corrective lenses and other kinds of treatments.

Ophthalmologists are physicians that offer complete eye care services, such as eye exams, eye care for conditions like chemical burns, iritis, and glaucoma. They also perform surgery for cataracts, trauma, crossed eyes, glaucoma, and other problems. Ocular complications from diseases, such as diabetes and arthritis, can be diagnosed and treated. They are also licensed to do plastic surgery for smoothing out wrinkles and drooping eyelids.

Meanwhile, optometrists, as Doctors of Optometry, offer eye exams and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. They also have the skills to diagnose conditions, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and conjunctivitis, and participate in operative care for surgical patients. In effect, ophthalmologists and optometrists aren't competing with each other. In fact, they work hand in hand to take care of their eye patients.