Make correct decisions when it comes to health care. Patients trust their doctors with safeguarding their health. It is equally necessary to visit eye care specialists from time to time in order to maintain good vision for a lifetime.
When it comes to eye care specialists, the two types of eye doctors are ophthalmologists and optometrists. Opticians are also eye care doctors, but they fall into another category. The doctor who earns the degree of OD or Doctor of Optometry is known as optometrist.
It is their duty to examine vision-related problems are checking the refractive problems. Some are mentioned below:
- They prescribe patients with eyeglasses and lenses in order to solve any refractive errors. Some of them can also provide vision therapy and low-vision care. In certain countries, they are also provided with a license so that they can prescribe their patient's medications in order to treat eye diseases and problems. The scope of duty is determined by the medical law of the country.
- There are certain cases where optometrists have to participate in both pre-operative and post-operative care. The ophthalmologist usually performs eye surgery because most of countries do not provide optometrists with the license required to perform surgery.
- A four-year degree of science in college and a professional post-graduate training program at an optometry school must be completed in order to become a proper optometrist. Dentists also have a very similar education requirement. Requirements related to continuing education must be fulfilled in order to keep their license. This also helps them stay connected to the latest eye care standard.
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Comparing Optometrists with Ophthalmologists and Opticians
- Optometrists must not be mistaken for ophthalmologists because the latter has an MD. They are also known as osteopathic medicine doctors specializing in vision and eye care. Their scope of duty includes more than that of an optometrist. Ophthalmologists are accomplished in performing eye exams, diagnosing and treating eye-related diseases, prescribing medications, and performing eye surgery.
- Along with a four-year college degree, four-year medical school, a year of internship, and three years of training in hospital-based ophthalmology residency. They require more education qualifications in comparison to optometrist.
- Opticians are not recognized as eye doctors, but they are a very important part of the eye care team. They are the ones who sell eyewear to patients in accordance with the prescription provided by ophthalmologists and Optometrists. In some places, Opticians must attend an optician program to undergo training and obtain their license. However, most of the places do not require them to get any licensure.
- The condition of the eye will determine the person that must be visited. A person does not require any surgical treatment or medical care they can visit optometrist for a simple check-up. In some cases, the optometrists will advise on whether a person should visit the ophthalmologist or not. They will also provide the necessary prescriptions that can be provided to an optician in order to obtain the necessary eyewear or lenses.
A person with very common eye problems like eye infections or dry eyes can visit the optometrist. At times optometrists and ophthalmologists work as a team in an arrangement that is called co-management.
This is a good solution because a person receives optimum eye care from both specialists. Routine inspection, counseling, therapy, and rehabilitation are some of the common care that are provided by an optometrist. The medical sector is constantly developing and health care has become a major part without which a person cannot live.