Optometrist or Ophthalmologist? Know the Difference

Optometrist or ophthalmologist- which eye doctor should you see? This question has surely bugged many people who wish to get professional eye care, but are confused as to which specialist they need to consult.

Ranking these specialists according to the amount of training they've received, ophthalmologists would come first, and optometrists, second. An ophthalmologist has the title of MD (medical doctor) or DO (osteopathic doctor), and would have finished four years of college, four years of medical school, a year of internship, and three years of residency in a hospital. An optometrist has the title of OD (Doctor of Optometry) and would need to have completed four years of college and four years of optometry school. Optometrists and ophthalmologists alike need a license to be able to practice and undergo continuing training to retain their license.

As for practice and scope of treatment, the rule of thumb in choosing between the two is this: you go to an optometrist for general eye care and maintenance; you go to an ophthalmologist for intensified and specialized treatments, including surgery. An optometrist may examine your eyes, diagnose eye diseases, and prescribe corrective lenses and medications to treat common eye problems, such as infections. An ophthalmologist may do all of these, but additionally, they are licensed to perform surgery and administer treatment for more serious eye problems such as macular degeneration and vitreoretrinal diseases. Optometrists are generally not licensed to perform surgery and may need the help of ophthalmologists to treat serious eye ailments.

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. 

See Better and Look Fashionable with Quality Prescription Eyewear

Some people could barely read street signs or messages on their cell phones, and accordingly need to squint or else ask somebody else to read for them. In spite of their obvious predicament, they continue pretending that nothing’s wrong with their vision. You sometimes see them stumble on obstacles in their path, yet they still resolutely refuse to see an eye doctor.

It's certainly comforting to know that many eyesight concerns can easily be corrected. Take, for example, presbyopia or nearsightedness, which leads to the loss of one's ability to clearly see objects up close. People in their forties often complain of nearsightedness, yet quite a lot of young kids also suffer from this problem. Luckily, such a condition can be addressed with the use of prescription glasses.

Today's prescription eye glasses offer optimum comfort and style. Innovations throughout the years have led to the creation of thinner yet no less effective corrective lenses, while the wide range of choices in terms of materials and finishes for eyewear frames makes it easy to find one that suits your personal tastes. Thanks to high-quality and stylish prescription glasses, you can perceive the world around you with better clarity and face it with more confidence.