Summation
- Their primary role in eye care is to dispense and fit contact lenses and glasses for patients.
- On the other hand, some centers, such as Clearly Eye Care, tend to specialize in one specialist.
- A four-year doctoral degree in optometrist follows, after which they’re qualified to practice as primary eye care providers.
Opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists are all eye care professionals. Patients often confuse these three specialists and perceive them as having the same roles.
Nonetheless, each practitioner plays a specialized role in eye care. Therefore, knowing the functions each of them performs is crucial to determining who you need.
This article explores the qualifications, duties, and responsibilities of opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists. Keep reading to learn more.
Do You Need An Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, Or Optician?
Vision problems vary, as do eye solutions and the professionals providing them. Some vision centers may have all three professionals to help the different eye problems. On the other hand, some centers, such as Clearly Eye Care, tend to specialize in one specialist. In this case, an optometrist.
So how do you know which eye expert to see? Below is a detailed discussion of their expertise:
- Optometrist
Optometrists undergo lengthy training, beginning with a four-year college degree where they specialize in sciences. A four-year doctoral degree in optometrist follows, after which they’re qualified to practice as primary eye care providers.
Despite their rigorous training, optometrists aren’t considered medical doctors and are also not allowed to perform eye surgery. Their duties include carrying out routine eye exams and fitting contact lenses and eyeglasses. They also diagnose vision problems and treat common eye diseases, injuries, and infections.
- Optician
Like optometrists, opticians aren’t considered medical doctors, nor do they provide medical services. Their primary role in eye care is to dispense and fit contact lenses and glasses for patients. Other duties include measuring and adjusting frames, advising individuals on the ideal eyewear, and general operational roles. Opticians are knowledgeable about general eye care questions despite not undergoing medical training. Therefore, don’t hesitate to ask your optician eye health-related questions during a fitting.
- Ophthalmologist
Unlike optometrists and opticians, ophthalmologists are trained in medical school. Once they graduate, they enroll for a one-year internship, followed by a three-year residency. Some may follow this up with a fellowship for a year or two, but it’s optional. Their qualifications allow them to perform complete visual care, from eye exams to managing visual conditions and even performing surgery.
For example, ophthalmologists are certified to provide surgical services for conditions like glaucoma and crossed eyes. In addition, they’re also capable and qualified to conduct plastic surgery to smoothen out wrinkles and lift droopy eyelids. Similarly, they can diagnose and manage visual issues related to chronic illnesses like diabetes. For this reason, some opt to specialize while others provide comprehensive eye care services.
When To See An Optometrist
Consider seeing an Optometrist if you’re experiencing vision problems. As stated earlier, they can help diagnose the issue and advise accordingly. If the eye condition is common, they can treat it. Similarly, an optometrist can treat you for eye injuries or infections.
Lastly, this is the go-to expert for your routine eye exam. Medics advise that you have your eyes examined every two years. However, that will depend on your condition and age. The older you’re, the more frequent your eye checks should be.
People needing contact lenses or glasses must also see an optometrist for fitting. An optician can also dispense these services.
Reasons For Seeing An Optician
Consider visiting an optician if your current glasses or contact lens prescription are no longer effective. It could be that the frame isn’t fitting, or the power of the glasses has worn off. The optician will recommend the best lens solution. They can also adjust your frames to fit.
Other reasons to see this specialist are:
- Vision changes due to medication
- An increase in the frequency of squinting
- Consistent discomfort and dryness in the eyes
- Persistent headaches
When To See An Ophthalmologist
As stated above, ophthalmologists are the eye specialists with the most comprehensive duties. They serve numerous functions, including performing eye exams, dispensing glasses and contact lens prescriptions, and diagnosing and treating eye diseases. Therefore, you can see an ophthalmologist:
- If Your Eyes Suddenly Develop Sensitivity To Light
When your eyes become light-sensitive, the first thing you should do is avoid the sun. Directly looking at any light source will also hurt your eyes, so it’d be best to avoid it. However, this is only a short-term remedy and will not make your eye problem go away.
Light sensitivity is also a symptom of cataracts, an eye condition where the natural eye lenses become clouded, affecting vision. As such, scheduling an appointment with your ophthalmologist early enough to avoid complications is recommended.
- If One Or Both Eyes Are Painful
Eye pain can vary from itching and burning to actual intense pain. On the one hand, burning and itching in the eyes are symptoms of allergies. Thus, eye pain may result from infections or serious conditions like corneal abrasion or glaucoma. Either way, you shouldn’t ignore these symptoms at the expense of your sight. Consider visiting your ophthalmologist so they can diagnose you and uncover the real issue.
- If You’re Genetically Predisposed To Some Eye Conditions
Being genetically predisposed to some eye conditions means you’re likely to develop eye diseases because they run in your family. Some common genetic eye conditions are glaucoma, retinal degeneration, optical atrophy, and macular degeneration.
While seeing an ophthalmologist may not prevent the condition from developing, it can help you prepare. For example, while a cure for glaucoma is yet to be found, early diagnosis enables patients to preserve their sight, hindering vision loss.
- If You’ve Suddenly Lost Your Sight
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that approximately 2.2 billion people experience some form of visual impairment. It further mentions that the risk of vision loss isn’t specific to any age group. It indicates that loss of vision is more common than you may think.
Losing sight is a cause of concern, and you should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Sudden loss of sight takes many forms, including blurred vision, tunnel vision, blind spots, or double vision.
The specialist will first run some tests to make a diagnosis and then design a treatment plan to address your condition. Visiting your ophthalmologist early will increase your chances of getting your sight back, so don’t hesitate to make an appointment.
Which Eye Doctor Do You Need?
Deciding which of the above eye doctors to see will depend on your needs. If you’ve had your eyes checked out before and you trust your previous eye specialist, consider sticking with them. You may also get a good recommendation from friends and family. Something else to consider is the kind of care you need. If you need a prescription filled, any specialists can do it. In addition, if you’re seeking primary care, see an optometrist first. If the need arises, they’ll send you to an ophthalmologist. Furthermore, an ophthalmologist is your best bet if you’re looking for eye surgery services.
In Conclusion
Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, and Opticians serve different purposes based on their qualifications and skill set. Despite this, they often work together to promote good eye care for patients. The above information will come in handy when you need to see an eye care professional and need help knowing where to start. If you still need clarification after reading this, consider contacting your regular care provider for assistance.