There are many kinds of eye specialists today in the medicinal world. Each type of specialist has an advanced degree in a field that provides expertise with one of the related components of vision. The doctors who take care of vision-related problems are different from doctors who can provide surgical aids such as Cataract operations, glaucoma treatments, etc.
Some special eye care technicians have advanced degrees to provide eyewear such as formulating glasses and lenses. Choosing the right person to visit, be it an ophthalmologist, an optician or an optometrist is something that a patient must decide based on their own condition.
Each one of these people has an advanced degree to look after specific requirements of the human eye. Based on the condition of the eye and the requirements of the patient, one of the three professionals can be chosen.
Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, and Opticians
There are three kinds of professionals who help with eye issues. The details of all three are mentioned below based on which, a patient can take an informed decision on whom to visit:
1. Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a doctor with an advanced degree in caring for the eye, both medical and surgical. An ophthalmologist can treat issues with regard to vision and also take care of medical procedures that require an operation on the eye such as cataract surgeries, glaucoma treatments, Lasik eye surgery, retinal detachment treatments, etc. They can write out prescriptions and can handle advanced eye diseases.
2. Optometrist
An optometrist is a doctor that has a degree in OD, a branch of ophthalmology that deals with vision correction and vision equipment for the patients. An optometrist deals with diagnosing the vision of the patients, offering extensive lenses that suit the patient, and prescribing the right lenses for either spectacles or contact lenses.
An optometrist can also treat minor issues of the eyes such as dryness, irritation, inflammation, blurred vision, and digital eye tiredness. They can also treat issues of the eye in connection with glaucoma, diabetes, etc, and provide therapies for recovery as well.
An optometrist can write prescriptions as well for medications and for the kind of lenses that they recommend. They do not however practice other treatments that include surgeries and medical procedures such as Lasik.
3. Optician
An optician is not a doctor but has a degree or a diploma in preparing the eye lenses that the doctors have prescribed. An optician can recommend the various types of lenses that can suit the user, the frames that would work best, and also correct issues with eye gear such as spectacles and contact lenses.
At an optician check-up, they take measurements and prepare eye gear with precision and help with adjustments as well. They are not qualified to take eye exams nor can they write out prescriptions for the patients.
Choosing the Right Eye Specialist
When a patient has to get their eyes tested for vision-related issues or for issues such as dry eyes, pressure like needle sting in the eye, general blurred vision complaints, irritation, excessive tearing, digital eye weariness, etc, they can visit an optometrist.
An optometrist can treat such issues, conduct vision tests with the latest equipment and prescribe the right lenses for the patient. For other issues that require medical attention, one can visit an ophthalmologist as they can help with medicines, and procedures and even offer corrective surgeries for such issues.
