What is an Ophthalmologist?
Ophthalmologists
versus optometrists and other eye care providers
An ophthalmologist is
a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care.
Ophthalmologists must complete many more years of training than optometrists
and opticians. As a result, ophthalmologists can diagnose and treat a wide
range of conditions.
Here's how the role of ophthalmologists compares with other
members of the eye care team:
- Ophthalmologists
- Optometrists
- Opticians
- Ophthalmic
technicians
- Ophthalmic
technicians/technologists
- Ophthalmic
registered nurses
- Ophthalmic
photographers
Ophthalmologists are eye doctors with advanced
medical and surgical training
An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who
specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists
and opticians in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and
treat.
Ophthalmologists complete 12 to 14 years of training and education
including medical school and are licensed to practice medicine and surgery.
This advanced training allows ophthalmologists
to diagnose and treat a wider range of conditions than
optometrists and opticians. Typical training includes a four-year college
degree followed by at least eight years of additional medical and surgical
training.
An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats all eye
diseases, performs eye surgery and prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact
lenses to correct vision problems. Many ophthalmologists are
also involved in scientific research on the causes and cures for eye diseases
and vision disorders. Because they are medical doctors, ophthalmologists can
sometimes recognize
other health problems that aren't directly related to the eye, and
refer those patients to the right medical doctors for treatment.
Some ophthalmologists have specialized expertise in
specific eye conditions
While ophthalmologists are trained to care for all eye problems
and conditions, some ophthalmologists specialize further in a specific area of
medical or surgical eye care. This person is called a subspecialist.
He or she usually completes one or two years of additional, more in-depth
training (called a Fellowship) in one of the main subspecialty areas such as Glaucoma, Retina, Cornea,
Pediatrics, Neurology, Oculo-Plastic Surgery or others. This added training and
knowledge prepares an ophthalmologist to take care of more complex or specific
conditions in certain areas of the eye or in certain groups of patients.
Optometrists
provide vision tests, prescribe lenses and treat certain eye conditions
Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary
vision care ranging from vision testing and correction to the diagnosis,
treatment, and management of vision changes. An optometrist is not a medical
doctor. An optometrist receives a doctor of optometry (OD) degree after
completing 2 to 4 years of college-level education, followed by four years of
optometry school. They are licensed to practice optometry, which primarily
involves performing eye exams and vision tests, prescribing and dispensing
corrective lenses, detecting certain eye abnormalities, and prescribing
medications for certain eye diseases in some states. Many ophthalmologists and
optometrists work together in the same offices, as a team. In the United
States, what optometrists are licensed to do for patients can vary from state
to state.
Opticians fit eyeglasses and contact lenses
Opticians are technicians trained to design, verify and fit eyeglass lenses
and frames, contact
lenses and other devices to correct eyesight. They use
prescriptions supplied by ophthalmologists or optometrists, but do not test
vision or write prescriptions for visual correction. Opticians are not
permitted to diagnose or treat eye diseases.
Ophthalmic medical assistants help physicians
examine and treat patients
These technicians work in the ophthalmologist's office and are
trained to perform a variety of tests and help the physician with examining and
treating patients.
Ophthalmic technicians/technologists assist
with medical tests and minor surgeries
These are highly trained or experienced medical assistants who
assist the physician with more complicated or technical medical tests and minor
office surgery.
Ophthalmic registered nurses deliver
medications and assist with surgeries
These clinicians have undergone special nursing training and may
have additional training in ophthalmic nursing. They may assist the physician
in more technical tasks, such as injecting
medications or assisting with hospital or office surgery. Some
ophthalmic registered nurses also serve as clinic or hospital administrators.
Ophthalmic photographers use cameras to
document a patient's eyes
These individuals use specialized cameras and photographic methods
to document patients' eye conditions in photographs.
See the right eye care
provider at the right time
Without healthy vision it can be hard to work, play, drive or
even recognize a face. Many factors can affect eyesight, including other health
problems like high blood
pressure or diabetes.
Having a family member with eye disease can make you more prone to having that
condition. Sight-stealing eye disease can appear at any time. Often vision
changes are unnoticeable at first and difficult to detect.
If you've never had a complete, dilated eye
exam, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that everyone have a
complete medical eye exam by
age 40, and then as often as recommended by your ophthalmologist. Even
if you're healthy, it's important to have a baseline eye exam, to compare
against in the future and help spot changes or problems.
There are many possible symptoms
of eye disease. If you have any concerns about your eyes or vision,
visit an ophthalmologist. A complete, medical eye
exam by an ophthalmologist could be the first step toward
saving your sight.
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