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(HeathNewsDigest.com) – Getting regular eye exams should be part of everyone’s health regimen. This means visiting an optometrist or an ophthalmologist or maybe an optician if the person needs corrective lenses. But just what do these professionals do to support the health and sharpness of their patients’ eyes? Read more to find out:
Examination
An optometrist has an OD, or Doctor of Optometry degree. They achieve this after four years in an optometry program that they attend after four years of college. The optometrist conducts vision tests, finds abnormalities within the eye and diagnoses and treats changes to the patient’s vision. This is important, for some eye diseases such as glaucoma have no symptoms in their early stages. The optometrist also writes prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
The optometrist also takes care of people who have low vision. These are people who have such severe visual problems that they can’t be helped by glasses, contact lenses or even surgery. Optometrists also provide therapy that helps children with visual problems to improve their vision.
Surgery
An ophthalmologist specializes in the overall care and treatment of the eyes. They are medical doctors who can not only diagnose, treat and prescribe but can perform surgery on the eyes. This includes surgery for eye injuries, strabismus, and cataracts. Ophthalmologists even perform cosmetic surgery such as blepharoplasty which is a surgery to correct drooping eyelids. They treat eye diseases that not only originate in the eye but are complications of other diseases such as diabetes. An ophthalmologist can also be an osteopathic doctor who combines conventional medicine with the manipulating the person’s musculoskeletal system.
Like the optometrist, the ophthalmologist can conduct vision tests. Basically, their area of expertise is wider than that of either an optometrist or an optician. They are also involved in research to find the causes and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye and conditions that affect a patient’s vision.
To become an ophthalmologist, a person attends medical school after college then spends one year as an intern and three years as a resident specializing in eye care. They sometimes follow their residency with a one or two-year fellowship.
Vision Correction Devices
The optician is a technician who is in charge of fitting, dispensing, and even designing corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses or other items that help to correct a patient’s eyesight. They aren’t doctors and are not allowed to conduct eye exams. But they are certified to fill a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses given by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. They are also responsible for ensuring the glasses are the right power to provide the wearer with proper vision correction.
Besides this, the optician can repair and adjust eyeglasses and show the patient which types of lenses and eyeglass frames are best both for their eyes and for their facial features. They also help the patient learn how to take care of and insert their contact lenses.
Whether a person goes to an ophthalmologist or an optometrist for eye treatment or to get their eyes checked depends on the health of their eyes. If their eyes are otherwise healthy, it really doesn’t matter if they chose an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. Both of these health professionals can treat common problems such as pink eye. However, more serious disorders such as glaucoma may need to be treated by an ophthalmologist