Eye Doctors: The Difference Between Optometrists and Ophthalmologists
The terms Optometrist and Ophthalmologist sound so similar. For those who don't speak our dorky eye language it can be difficult to differentiate between the two. This article will attempt to describe the differences and similarities between these professions.
Let me start by saying this post intends to only highlight the educational background of these two professions. I do not intend take anything away from either profession. Every individual practitioner Optometrist or Ophthalmologist has their own unique skill set and billing schedule. For this blog, I will only discuss general trends of each profession.
Optometrists are similar to a primary care physician for the eyes, or the Doctor you see on a yearly basis for your physical. Most Ophthalmologists are surgeons, who specialize in different surgeries for the eye. The greatest skill Optometrists possess is in the art of refraction (the 1 or 2 test) and concepts for prescribing glasses and contacts. In their education, Optometrists receive more training in these areas. Optometrists are also trained in the various disease processes of the eye.
Ophthalmologists receive more training in disease processes of the body and the eye. Ophthalmologists are highly skilled in their specialty. Ophthalmologists will often specialize in a specific structure of the eye such as cornea, lens (cataract surgery), retina, pediatrics (strabismus or eye turn surgery), oculoplastic (plastic surgery in and around the eyes). Most Ophthalmologists prefer to devote their time to doing surgery, since it produces more income than general eye exams. Most Ophthalmologists do not perform refraction (1 or 2 test), delegating the task to a technician.
Optometrists are able to handle basic eye diseases and injuries. Optometrists are trained to treat red eyes, dry eyes, eye pain, double vision, decreased vision, some headaches, eyelid swelling, droopy eyelids, light sensitivity, haloes, itchy eyes, poor night vision, watery eyes, etc. For flashes of light or floaters an Optometrist can examine the eye to see if surgery is needed.
For medical eye conditions, visits to the Optometrists are usually less expensive than Ophthalmology medical visits. The Optometrist also has sufficient training to know if evaluation by a specialist (Ophthalmologist) is needed. Ophthalmologists do have greater training in disease processes of the eye, but for common conditions the treatment you receive would be the same from either type of Doctor.
For example, a patient with a piece of metal in their cornea can see an Optometrist or corneal specialist (Ophthalmologist). Both types of Doctors are capable of removing the metal safely from the cornea, applying a bandage contact lens (if needed) and prescribing an antibiotic to protect the cornea until it heals. The same treatment is applied, but a visit to the corneal specialist (Ophthalmologist) is likely to be more expensive, as they have a higher level of training in corneal problems and their availability more limited.
Training for Optometrists usually consists of four years undergraduate work, then four years of Optometric study. Undergraduate studies can consist of any major resulting in a Bachelor's degree from an accredited University. Optometric studies cover a wide variety of studies related to the eye including: refraction, concepts of prescribing glasses, contact lenses, pediatrics, binocular vision, ocular diseases, low vision, physics of vision, neurological processing of vision, general anatomy and physiology of the body, advanced anatomy and physiology of the eye, neurology, environmental factors affecting vision. Optometrists learn everything about the eye except how to do surgery (in some states Optometrists are able to do laser surgery and removal of eyelid masses).
Ophthalmologists are highly trained with an undergraduate degree, medical degree and residency in their training specialty. Both professions provide excellent care, and both benefit by working together. In most situations, Optometrists rely on Ophthalmologists to care for their patients with more complicated visual problems. Ophthalmologists benefit from Optometrist referrals of patients who can benefit from their treatment. This allows the Ophthalmologist to spend more time treating patients (surgery) and less time screening patients for problems (general eye exams).
In summary, Optometrists have greater training in refraction (1 or 2 test) for prescribing glasses and contacts. Most Ophthalmologists do not perform the refraction for patients. Most Ophthalmologists prefer to be in surgery, since much more income is gained in surgery compared to general eye exams. Ophthalmologists do have greater medical training (especially those who specialize in specific structures of the eye). Optometrists are also trained in medical conditions of the eye and are often less expensive to visit for common eye problems. Also, for more serious eye problems Optometrists are able to identify the Ophthalmology specialist best suited for treating the problem.
Let me start by saying this post intends to only highlight the educational background of these two professions. I do not intend take anything away from either profession. Every individual practitioner Optometrist or Ophthalmologist has their own unique skill set and billing schedule. For this blog, I will only discuss general trends of each profession.
Optometrists are similar to a primary care physician for the eyes, or the Doctor you see on a yearly basis for your physical. Most Ophthalmologists are surgeons, who specialize in different surgeries for the eye. The greatest skill Optometrists possess is in the art of refraction (the 1 or 2 test) and concepts for prescribing glasses and contacts. In their education, Optometrists receive more training in these areas. Optometrists are also trained in the various disease processes of the eye.
Ophthalmologists receive more training in disease processes of the body and the eye. Ophthalmologists are highly skilled in their specialty. Ophthalmologists will often specialize in a specific structure of the eye such as cornea, lens (cataract surgery), retina, pediatrics (strabismus or eye turn surgery), oculoplastic (plastic surgery in and around the eyes). Most Ophthalmologists prefer to devote their time to doing surgery, since it produces more income than general eye exams. Most Ophthalmologists do not perform refraction (1 or 2 test), delegating the task to a technician.
Optometrists are able to handle basic eye diseases and injuries. Optometrists are trained to treat red eyes, dry eyes, eye pain, double vision, decreased vision, some headaches, eyelid swelling, droopy eyelids, light sensitivity, haloes, itchy eyes, poor night vision, watery eyes, etc. For flashes of light or floaters an Optometrist can examine the eye to see if surgery is needed.
For medical eye conditions, visits to the Optometrists are usually less expensive than Ophthalmology medical visits. The Optometrist also has sufficient training to know if evaluation by a specialist (Ophthalmologist) is needed. Ophthalmologists do have greater training in disease processes of the eye, but for common conditions the treatment you receive would be the same from either type of Doctor.
For example, a patient with a piece of metal in their cornea can see an Optometrist or corneal specialist (Ophthalmologist). Both types of Doctors are capable of removing the metal safely from the cornea, applying a bandage contact lens (if needed) and prescribing an antibiotic to protect the cornea until it heals. The same treatment is applied, but a visit to the corneal specialist (Ophthalmologist) is likely to be more expensive, as they have a higher level of training in corneal problems and their availability more limited.
Training for Optometrists usually consists of four years undergraduate work, then four years of Optometric study. Undergraduate studies can consist of any major resulting in a Bachelor's degree from an accredited University. Optometric studies cover a wide variety of studies related to the eye including: refraction, concepts of prescribing glasses, contact lenses, pediatrics, binocular vision, ocular diseases, low vision, physics of vision, neurological processing of vision, general anatomy and physiology of the body, advanced anatomy and physiology of the eye, neurology, environmental factors affecting vision. Optometrists learn everything about the eye except how to do surgery (in some states Optometrists are able to do laser surgery and removal of eyelid masses).
Ophthalmologists are highly trained with an undergraduate degree, medical degree and residency in their training specialty. Both professions provide excellent care, and both benefit by working together. In most situations, Optometrists rely on Ophthalmologists to care for their patients with more complicated visual problems. Ophthalmologists benefit from Optometrist referrals of patients who can benefit from their treatment. This allows the Ophthalmologist to spend more time treating patients (surgery) and less time screening patients for problems (general eye exams).
In summary, Optometrists have greater training in refraction (1 or 2 test) for prescribing glasses and contacts. Most Ophthalmologists do not perform the refraction for patients. Most Ophthalmologists prefer to be in surgery, since much more income is gained in surgery compared to general eye exams. Ophthalmologists do have greater medical training (especially those who specialize in specific structures of the eye). Optometrists are also trained in medical conditions of the eye and are often less expensive to visit for common eye problems. Also, for more serious eye problems Optometrists are able to identify the Ophthalmology specialist best suited for treating the problem.
Good read. Ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians all provide eye care services.
ReplyDeleteProfile: SOI
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ReplyDeleteGood article for Optometrist.
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