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Ophthalmologist or Optometrist? How To Know Which Kind Of Eye Doctor You Need
A Guide From Upper West Side’s Top Ophthalmologist
Between ophthalmologists and optometrists there are many places to go for eye care in NYC, especially the Upper West Side. Beyond, eye problems can make life very difficult, but before rushing to the nearest eye doctor it’s important to know the difference between different eye specialists.
The Difference Between Ophthalmologists and Optometrists
Difference In Schooling
Ophthalmologists are doctors who normally go through a four year undergraduate program, four years of medical school, one year of internship and three years of a hospital residency specialized in ophthalmology. While optometrists, on the other hand, attend four years of college and then a four year post grad program. Because of this different career path, and the fact that ophthalmologists are trained through a hospital residency, ophthalmologists are licensed to perform eye surgery and deal with more extreme eye problems.
Treatments ophthalmologists do that optometrists cannot:
- Perform eye surgeries
- Diagnose and treat complex eye diseases
- Prescribe a wider range of medications for complex eye diseases
Diseases Diagnosed & Treatments Offered
Another major difference includes the types of diseases and treatments diagnosed and offered. Diseases like cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration must be treated by an ophthalmologist because they’re able to conduct various types of surgeries such as Lipiflow, LASIK, and more. Although Ophthalmologists are capable of more extensive eye procedures, they can also do minor treatments as well. These are treatments that both Ophthalmologists and Optometrists can perform.
Duties of both ophthalmologists and optometrists:
- Perform vision exams
- Diagnose conditions such as farsightedness and nearsightedness
- Fit and prescribe contacts and eye glasses
- Prescribe medication for minor eye problems
- Provide vision therapy
- Pre- and post-op care for eye surgery
However, at the end of the day, ophthalmologists are usually not equipped to provide glasses to patients and instead focus more on the health of the eyes and how that’s connected to the brain. Additionally, given the difference, the visit time spent at an ophthalmologist will likely be longer for an ophthalmologist because they are performing more complex exams and procedures, similar to visiting another type of surgeon.
Contact Your Local NYC Eye Surgeon Today
Usually it’s a good idea to visit an optometrist first to determine if you should be referred to an ophthalmologist. That being said, there is much benefit to having a thorough eye examination done by a trained ophthalmologist, as well. If you have a reoccurring issue that seems to be getting worse, have a severe problem, or have been referred to an ophthalmologist, book an appointment. We look forward to helping you see your full potential!
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