I have never been one of those people who is overly concerned about my looks, but when it came time to decide whether or not to get glasses, I was mildly concerned about looking like a nerd. I didn't want to appear pretentious or weak, but I knew that I had to do something to fix my vision. I had struggled with eye problems for years, and I wanted to be able to see without squinting. After meeting with my optometrist, I realized that I was worried for no reason. I have been able to enjoy better vision because of my glasses, and I know that you can improve yours, too. Check out this blog for more information.
Caring for your eyes is very important if your want to preserve good vision. If you need an eye exam or have a concern about your eyes, you should see an eye care professional. But many people get confused when it comes to eye doctors—it can be hard to remember the difference between an optician, optometrist, and an ophthalmologist. Continue reading to learn more about these professionals and how they can help you:
Optician
An optician is a professional who has certification to fill prescriptions for the lenses in eyeglasses. Opticians also assist patients in selecting their lenses and the frames for their glasses. After you have an eye exam and receive your prescription, you will most likely work with an optician to select and order a new pair of eyeglasses.
Optometrist
An optometrist holds a doctor of optometry (D.O.) degree. This type of degree requires several years of post-graduate education. In order to legally practice, an optometrist must also be licensed by his or her state's board of optometry. An optometrist has the skills and knowledge to perform eye exams, dispensing prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses, diagnosing and treating many eye conditions, and detecting diseases of the eye.
When you make an appointment for an eye exam, you will most likely see an optometrist. This is also the type of eye doctor that you would want to see if you have an eye infection or any kind of general eye problem. In the event that you need eye surgery, your optometrist may provide post-surgical follow-up care. For more information, consider contacting an optometrist like those at Olympia Eye Clinic, Inc., P.S.
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D.) who specializes in providing eye care. This type of eye care professional must complete medical school, do both internship and residency training, and then spend several additional years receiving ophthalmology training. All ophthalmologists must be licensed through the state's medical board.
Ophthalmologists are qualified to perform all of the tasks that an optometrist does; many ophthalmologists are also trained to perform eye surgery to correct different eye disorders and diseases. If you have a serious eye problem that is out of the scope of your optometrist's expertise, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist for more advanced treatment.
Since ophthalmologists spend years learning about the eye and the visual system, they may work with other types of doctors if a patient has complicated medical problems. For example, an ophthalmologist may consult with an endocrinologist to help a patient manage diabetes to prevent complete vision loss.
Share22 December 2016
