Half Medic

Visiting The Eye Doctor
There are a few different types of eye doctor. I thought it would be helpful to write an article with definitions and explanations of all the different types of doctor and professionals associated with eye care. Everyone should ensure they have an eye doctor who they have regular check ups with. From the age of 50 the eyes can start to deteriorate.

Cataracts are more likely to develop and a range of other conditions can materialise. If you make regular appointments with the eye doctor then they will be able to spot a problem immediately and begin treatment. If you can catch something early on then there may well be eye drops or small injections available that mean you don’t have to undergo surgery at a later date. Anyway, here is a list of the different types of eye doctor.

An ophthalmologist is the person who we would generally refer to as the “eye doctor” because they are medically trained. They have to not only receive all the medical training that any other type of doctor does, but they must then go on to specialise in this area, receive further training and undertake a number of years gaining experience. An ophthalmologist is licensed to diagnose and treat all conditions of the eye. They can carry out all laser eye treatments too.

There is another name for an ophthalmologist, and that is an oculist, although this is not such as commonly used term. Anyone with the job title of oculist can diagnose and treat eye conditions and carry out eye surgery.

An optician is also a health care provider associated with the eyes. Although they are not trained like doctors in medical school, they are regulated professionals who have to maintain standards of training (equivalent to a BSc degree) and of practice. In the UK they are regulated by the General Optical Council and qualified with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.

They are primarily focused on carrying out eye tests in order to be able to prescribe glasses and contact lenses. They may well notice additional problems with the eyes when carrying out eye tests, but are unable to make a diagnosis or carry out any sort of treatment. If an optician notices anything wrong with the eyes then they will suggest the patient goes for a check up with an ophthalmologist.

Another professional that works with eyes is an optometrist. Whilst they haven’t gone to medical school like a doctor, they will have taken a 3 year degree plus a year of supervised work plus assessments before qualifying and registering with the General Optical Council. They are able to go further than an optician in terms of examining eyes.

They carry out eye tests to examine refractive problems such as long or shortsightedness. Part of their role is prescribing glasses and contact lenses and discussing options for treatment. If the eyes of their patient are affected by disease or conditions such as cataracts they will refer the patient to an ophthalmologist. There is considerable training necessary to become an optometrist, although medical school is not required.

Finally there is an ocularist, a professional who creates and fits artificial eyes. For example a patient may have lost an eye due to an injury. An ocularist will create the prosthetic eye and then train the patient how to handle and care for it. The artificial eye is usually custom made for the individual.

It is imperative that you have regular eye tests. Ideally you should visit the ophthalmologist regularly, especially if you are over the age of 50, but when this is not possible at the very least you should have check ups with an optometrist. Catching a problem early can be the difference between having sight that remains good and having sight that gets very bad very quickly, and may even need laser eye surgery to put right.

There are a few different professionals that deal with the eyes, but the traditional eye doctor and the professional who can carry out diagnoses and treatments is an ophthalmologist. They can provide treatment for a range of diseases of the eye including glaucoma treatment, wet and dry AMD treatment and cataracts. They are also licensed to carry out laser vision correction surgery. There are other professional roles involved with the eyes which, although requiring qualifications, registration and ongoing training and professional development, do not require attendance at medical school.

Selecting an Eye Doctor

Choosing an eye doctor is just as important as choosing your general practitioner! While you may not believe so, consider the fact that if you don’t take care of your eyes and eye sight, your eyes can deteriorate to the point where you lose your eye sight. Sounds serious, right? Well, choosing your eye doctor is important because this is the person who will be safeguarding your sense of sight and helping you maintain good vision for a lifetime. The first step to choosing a good eye doctor is understanding the two types of eye doctors: optometrist and ophthalmologist.

An optometrist earned a degree called a Doctor of Optometry and he or she can examine eyes for any visual health problems. Their degree was obtained through a four-year college degree program and an additional four-years of post-graduate professional training through an optometry school.

Your optometrist can also correct any refractive errors in your eye by simply prescribing glasses. While uncommon, some optometrists can provide low vision care, vision therapy, and even does surgery for certain vision diseases. Optometrists are licensed to prescribe medications that can treat some eye problems but not all. Unfortunately, the scope of medical care your optometrist can provide you is limited by state law.

The other type of eye doctor is an ophthalmologist, a medical or osteopathic doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in all things eye and vision related. They are specially trained to perform eye exams, prescribe medications, perform eye surgery, and diagnose and treat diseases of the eye. When you visit an ophthalmologist, you will likely get a more comprehensive eye exam as well as a detailed prescription for eyeglasses. Given that ophthalmologists attended medical school for four years, completed a one year internship, and then a minimum of three years of training in a hospital-based residency program in ophthalmology, you can trust this type of eye doctor to completely understand all areas of the eye.

Now that you understand the difference between the two doctors, this is a good time to point out that an optician is not a doctor but rather someone who can fit and sell eyeglasses and other eye wear to the general public. They use prescriptions written by either type of eye doctor to fit the eyewear. Not every state requires an optician to go through training or be licensed.

You’re probably wondering which type of doctor you should see and for what problem. You should see your ophthalmologist at least once every two years for a comprehensive eye exam. Additionally, if you have medical insurance, your eye exams are covered by your insurance when done by an ophthalmologist. Your insurance generally does not cover eye exams performed by optometrists unless you’ve opted for additional, and optional, vision care insurance. The choice for regular exams is a matter of personal preference but if you start noticing that your vision is changing, heading to your ophthalmologist is a wise idea.

If you’re opting for a basic eye exam or just need an updated eyeglasses prescription, your optometrist can take care of that for you for a minimal cost. Just be sure to leave the office with your prescription – this way you can choose to order glasses online or go somewhere else for a better deal. Optometrists rely on your purchase of prescription glasses or contact lenses to help them earn their income – but don’t feel pressured into buying your glasses from your optometrist. When selecting your eye doctor, ask for recommendations from friends and family but, most of all, rely on your eye health to tell you what kind of doctor you need.