Between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist

CEBU, Philippines – One of the most confusing parts of vision and eye care, for many patients, is in understanding the difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists. Figuring out where you should start when it comes to vision care and eye health can be tricky.

Fortunately, once the differences between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist are understood, it's pretty easy to know where to go, when, and for what. There is a considerable overlap in certain areas between the two, but there are also several striking differences.

Optometrists have had trained to diagnose and treat vision conditions like farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism, as well as fit and prescribe contact lenses and prescription eyeglass lenses. A large part of their job has traditionally been to perform "refractions" or vision correction exams.

Over the past 20 years, optometry training has become much more medically-oriented than in the past, and today's optometrists receive rigorous and comprehensive training in not just optics and refractions, but also the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease, as well as other systemic conditions that can effect vision and eye health.

Although optometrists are not M.D.s, they can prescribe certain medications, as well as diagnose and treat a broad range of medical conditions that concern the eye, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, retinal disease and ocular disorders associated with diabetes and high blood pressure.

For their part, ophthalmologists are medical doctors specializing in the eye. While the trainings of ophthalmologists and optometrists have become very similar - especially regarding ocular disease diagnosis and treatment - there are some marked differences between the two.

First, ophthalmologists are trained to perform surgery, which optometrists are not. This includes things like Lasik vision correction as well as removal of cataracts, or surgery related to eye trauma, burns or detachments of retina.

Second, ophthalmologists have additional specialized training in diagnosing and treating more complex medical eye conditions. So it is not unusual for optometrists and ophthalmologists to work closely-together on hard-to-diagnose conditions or ongoing disease treatment and management.

Third, as M.D.s, ophthalmologists are allowed to prescribe a broader-range of prescription drugs than optometrists.

For most day-to-day eye and vision-care needs, however, an optometrist is generally the one more available. Optometrists are often easier to make appointments with than ophthalmologists, and often have more eyeglass frame stock options, as well.

Ophthalmologists are more preoccupied performing eye surgeries and are likely to leave day-to-day vision services to optometrists. It is also not unusual for ophthalmologists and optometrists to work in the same office and co-treat patients.

(Abridged from an article at trianglesvisions.com)