You need to get your eyes checked or receive treatment for an eye condition. However, you are unsure if you need to make an optometry or ophthalmology appointment. The two are quite different and going to the right eye doctor is critical for your eye health. Go over the differences between these two eye doctors. Then, you will be ready to make your appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Both optometrists and ophthalmologists are trained to care for the eyes. The training and the services offered are different, though. Learn more about optometry and ophthalmology. Discover what each eye doctor offers for patients.
To become optometrists, people must complete the Doctor of Optometry degree. After receiving the degree, optometrists are tasked with providing patients with vision care. People go to optometrists for annual eye exams. Optometrists examine the eyes, looking for signs of refractive errors and health problems with the eyes. These exams include various tests to check the vision and look for eye diseases.
Optometrists are trained to treat vision issues such as farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. They can prescribe contact lenses or glasses to treat these issues. Optometrists also look for disorders, injuries and diseases that impact the eyes. This includes testing for glaucoma. Optometrists can also prescribe eye drops to treat glaucoma.
Ophthalmologists are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine or medical doctors. These doctors focus on vision and eye care. Ophthalmologists can conduct eye exams. They provide prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses to treat refractive errors. Ophthalmologists also diagnose eye diseases and provide patients with surgical options.
Ophthalmologists can perform a variety of eye surgeries. People go to ophthalmologists to treat cataracts, glaucoma and crossed eyes. Ophthalmologists can also provide plastic surgery. People with droopy eyelids often go to ophthalmologists to get this condition corrected. These doctors also perform surgery to treat eyelid skin cancer, eyelid spasms and blocked tear ducts.
Some ophthalmologists provide a full range of services for patients. Others, on the other hand, focus on a specific discipline. Those who have a specific focus usually complete additional training in that area. For example, ophthalmologists can get additional training in glaucoma. These eye doctors only diagnose and treat glaucoma. In addition, they often receive referrals from optometrists with patients who require surgery.
Optometrists and ophthalmologists both provide important services for patients. If you need an eye exam or want to check your overall eye health, schedule an appointment with an optometrist. The optometrist can provide you with contact lenses or glasses and also look for issues with your eyes, such as glaucoma. However, if you have a serious eye condition or need eye surgery, you will need to go to an ophthalmologist. You can choose an ophthalmologist who has the training to address the issue you have or you can go to a general ophthalmologist.
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