Optometrist vs Ophthalmologist
Understanding the difference between ophthalmologists and optometrists can be confusing for people seeking vision and eye care. There is some overlap in certain areas between an optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist, but there are also some very striking differences. Fortunately, once you have an understanding of what each of them do, you can know where to go to get the professional care that best fits your needs.
Comparison Chart Optometrists Ophthalmologist
Definition
An optometrist is a person who is qualified to examine the eyes and prescribe and supply contact lenses and glasses A physician specializing in eye and vision care, including any medical or surgical needs, and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. …show more content…
Ophthalmologist
Optometrist:
$ What Is an Optometrist? Optometrists, also known as Doctors of Optometry, are trained to treat and diagnose eye conditions such as astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness along with fitting and prescribing contact lenses and spectacles. The majority of their job focuses on eye exams and vision correction exams.
$ Education & Training: Optometrists undergo four years of undergraduate training and then four years of postgraduate doctoral training. Study’s includes eye disease diagnosis and treatment, pharmacology, vision therapy, physiology, optics, and anatomy. They must also pass nationally-administered exams in order to earn their licence to practice. Those that want to specialize in a particular area will also complete one year of postgraduate …show more content…
Optometrists routinely perform eye exams, manage, and diagnose eye diseases that require non-medical and medical treatment. However, the optometrist may refer you to an ophthalmologist who specialises in treating your condition. More importantly, only ophthalmologists can provide treatment for trauma, including eye surgery, for both complex and minor eye disorders. If you currently have a medical problem such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, or cataracts it is important to seek care by a specially trained ophthalmologist who is highly trained and who are licensed to perform eye surgery. The ophthalmologist might also be better suited to manage chronic eye health problems, especially if they are a specialist in the area. An ophthalmologist may choose to manage the problem medically or surgically, or a combination of both. After the condition is controlled or surgically treated, the ophthalmologist specialist may send you back to an optometrist for follow up care and eye
Understanding the difference between ophthalmologists and optometrists can be confusing for people seeking vision and eye care. There is some overlap in certain areas between an optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist, but there are also some very striking differences. Fortunately, once you have an understanding of what each of them do, you can know where to go to get the professional care that best fits your needs.
Comparison Chart Optometrists Ophthalmologist
Definition
An optometrist is a person who is qualified to examine the eyes and prescribe and supply contact lenses and glasses A physician specializing in eye and vision care, including any medical or surgical needs, and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. …show more content…
Ophthalmologist
Optometrist:
$ What Is an Optometrist? Optometrists, also known as Doctors of Optometry, are trained to treat and diagnose eye conditions such as astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness along with fitting and prescribing contact lenses and spectacles. The majority of their job focuses on eye exams and vision correction exams.
$ Education & Training: Optometrists undergo four years of undergraduate training and then four years of postgraduate doctoral training. Study’s includes eye disease diagnosis and treatment, pharmacology, vision therapy, physiology, optics, and anatomy. They must also pass nationally-administered exams in order to earn their licence to practice. Those that want to specialize in a particular area will also complete one year of postgraduate …show more content…
Optometrists routinely perform eye exams, manage, and diagnose eye diseases that require non-medical and medical treatment. However, the optometrist may refer you to an ophthalmologist who specialises in treating your condition. More importantly, only ophthalmologists can provide treatment for trauma, including eye surgery, for both complex and minor eye disorders. If you currently have a medical problem such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, or cataracts it is important to seek care by a specially trained ophthalmologist who is highly trained and who are licensed to perform eye surgery. The ophthalmologist might also be better suited to manage chronic eye health problems, especially if they are a specialist in the area. An ophthalmologist may choose to manage the problem medically or surgically, or a combination of both. After the condition is controlled or surgically treated, the ophthalmologist specialist may send you back to an optometrist for follow up care and eye