All optometrists offer general eye care, and some specialize in specific areas. Depending on their scope of practice in the state, optometrists and ophthalmologists may perform eye surgery. Both optometrists and ophthalmologists are qualified to check eyes for anomalies, evaluate vision, and prescribe corrective lenses.
Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both physicians who work to treat medical conditions affecting eyes and vision. Unlike an eye surgeon, an optometrist is not a surgeon, and cannot treat more serious eye conditions. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who are capable of performing surgeries to treat eye conditions.
Services Ophthalmologists provide, and conditions they can treat
You may see an eye ophthalmologist get the same type of care you would get from an optometrist, like a routine eye exam or a prescription refill. At a dispensary, an ophthalmologist may diagnose and treat diseases of the eyes and may use lasers to treat eye conditions, as well as perform eye exams. They are capable of diagnosing and treating all types of eye conditions, meaning things like vision loss, cataracts, and glaucoma. Ophthalmologists are in charge of treating problems in your eyes, and they also diagnose illnesses and prescribe medications to your eyes.
An eye doctor may check your eyes and also diagnose any medical or visual conditions. They are trained professionals who specialize in eyesight care, and they can check your eyes for defects in sight. If you have questions about the health of your eyes, an eye doctor or eye doctor is a professional that can help.
Services offered by Optometrist
As a group, optometrists offer comprehensive care to your eyes and make sure that you are getting the correct diagnosis, prescription, and treatment. Qualified optician optometrist provides primary eye care, performing routine comprehensive eye exams and eye exams, as well as providing a prescription for contacts and glasses. Optometrists do not perform medical nonsurgical care of diseases and conditions affecting eyes. Optometrists medically treat a variety of medically-caused disorders and diseases that may impact the patient’s eyesight.
In performing their exams, an optometrist is also responsible for diagnosing any diseases or deficiencies of the eyes. An optometrist may diagnose and prescribe treatments for diseases in the eyes, but cannot perform surgery. Optometrists are not licensed physicians; however, some optometrists are qualified to prescribe medications as well as treat various types of eye diseases. Optometrists are not licensed to conduct eye surgery, though they may be able to provide pre- and post-operative care to help with a proper recovery.
Get your annual eye exam for eye health
An eye doctor is a medical professional who is qualified to inspect your eyes for defects in vision, signs of injuries, eye conditions, and problems with overall eye health. An optometrist may be visited to get your annual eye exam, fill your eyeglasses or contacts prescription, or even receive medications and treatments for specific eye conditions. By analogous, we mean an ophthalmic health professional is just as capable of assessing your eyesight, prescribing eyewear, and checking for conditions in the eyes.
Optometrist Scope of Practice
Optometrists conduct eye exams, evaluate eyesight, evaluate eye conditions, and do certain procedures. If you have problems with hearing loss then you should seek a hearing aid.
