Vision is one of the senses we can’t possibly imagine our lives without. It is vital for keeping us functioning daily and plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal performance. Given the importance of preserving our sight, seeing a professional as soon as we experience any vision-related problems is pivotal.
The question is, how do you know which eye care provider to choose? Both optometrists and ophthalmologists offer eye care services, but which one’s right for you? Let’s take a look at the differences between these two eye care professionals and help you decide who you should schedule your next appointment with.
What does an optometrist do?
The main role of an optometrist is to provide routine eye care to its patients. Think of them as a general practitioners, only they focus solely on the eyes. Regular, primary eye care services are their specialty, and they aim to ensure patients’ optimal eye health. They often do so by prescribing treatments and medications, refilling their contact prescriptions, or seeing them for their regular eye exam once a year.
Although they can offer solutions for particular eye conditions such as glaucoma and dry eye, they don’t treat all of them. They also do not perform eye surgeries, although, in some states, an optometrist may perform laser procedures as well as procedures involving foreign body removal.
When should you see an optometrist?
Because they offer such a wide range of services, you can schedule an appointment with an optometrist to address a variety of concerns regarding your eye health. For starters, an optometrist is there for you if you need a regular, yearly eye examination. This can help preserve your visual acuity and address any vision issues early on. They can also have your vision tested and prescribe necessary visual aids such as contact lenses or eyeglasses.
Furthermore, an optometrist can also help diagnose eye conditions and decide on the appropriate treatment. Sometimes, this will involve prescribing certain medications or medical treatments. Other times, it will include providing a minor surgical procedure as well as eye care post-surgery.
What does an ophthalmologist do?
While an optometrist focuses mostly on routine vision services, an ophthalmologist is there to provide more specialized eye care. Their advanced eye care training coupled with extensive surgical training allows them to tackle a wide range of procedures, both interventional and surgical. An ophthalmologist may also go on to get training in treating particular eye diseases.
Ophthalmologists are also qualified LASIK eye surgeons which enables them to perform this increasingly popular surgical procedure. This is usually done to correct vision and improve its quality while also reducing the need for corrective eyewear. An ophthalmologist can also offer surgical eye care to treat everything from cataracts to glaucoma to crossed eyes. They can also correct droopy eyelids, which is addressed through a plastic surgery procedure.
When should you see an ophthalmologist?
Although you can visit an ophthalmologist for an exam, eye doctors are primarily there for surgical care and medical interventions. An optometrist will often refer their patients to an experienced ophthalmologist when a more advanced level of eye care is required to address a patient’s needs.
If you’re considering undergoing surgery that involves a laser procedure or are suffering from a serious eye condition, visiting an ophthalmologist is your best option. They can address numerous different eye problems varying from eye trauma to diabetic retinopathy to severe cases of macular degeneration. They can also respond to and provide proper care in cases of chemical burns.
How to choose the best eye care provider?
Getting the eye care you need depends on your personal preferences. You want to work with someone you trust, so feel free to ask friends and family for any good recommendations. That said, the complexity of your eye condition and the required level of care will both play a determining role in choosing your eye care provider.
In cases of eye conditions and diseases that require ongoing medical care and management, schedule an appointment with an optometrist. If needed, they will recommend an ophthalmologist that you can visit and address your particular eye care needs.
Wrapping up
Although they can treat several similar eye conditions, optometrists and ophthalmologists differ greatly in the range of services they can offer to their patients. While optometrists can help patients with general eye care and manage their eye health, ophthalmologists provide a more in-depth approach and a more specialized eye care. Keep that in mind when deciding on which eye care professional to visit, and be sure to address any eye problems sooner rather than later.