Eye care is an essential part of your overall health. At Bright Side Eyecare, we want everyone to have access to quality care. And because an estimated 65% of the American population requires corrective lenses, there is a big need for eyecare services.
But we also know that with so many optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians to choose from, it can be hard to know who to visit.
To understand the types of eye care professionals, here’s a guide on what each eye care professional does, as well as how they differ from one another.
What is an Optometrist?
We offer services from an Optometrist eye doctor at Brightside eyecare, so this is the first type of professional we’ll cover. Optometrists are Doctors of Optometry (OD) and can do the following things:
- Diagnose and treat vision problems
- Prescribe glasses and contact lenses
- Provide pre- and post-operative care for eye surgery.
Typically, optometrists examine eyes, diagnose conditions, and treat diseases of the eye and surrounding structures. They also test visual acuity, a person’s ability to see objects at a distance, and check the overall health of someone’s eye.
Getting an eye exam by an optometrist is an important part of your overall health and eye care.
What is an Ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. Ophthalmologists are also called ophthalmic surgeons and can help with cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disease, and many other eye conditions. Ophthalmologists can also perform vision-correcting surgeries like LASIK.
An ophthalmologist can also provide the same total eye care that an optometrist provides to their patients.
What is an Optician?
Although opticians are specifically trained eye care professionals, opticians are not physicians. Opticians are trained to fit and dispense eyeglasses and occasionally contact lenses. Opticians follow and fill the orders of optometrists and ophthalmologists. They are trained to consider lifestyle and facial features when recommending eyewear to a client.
How to Choose the Right Eye Care Professional
Optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists are different eye care professionals. The first two are known as “front-line” eye health professionals. They provide routine and necessary services that help prevent vision problems from developing or progressing in the future.
Ophthalmologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating more complex conditions affecting the eyes, such as glaucoma or eye diseases caused by diabetes.
The choices you make about your own care depend on your needs at any given time. For example:
- If you are just seeking support for your vision, an optician can help you.
- An optometrist is your go-to for overall eye health, which is what we do at Brightside Eyecare.
- If you have a serious eyecare condition or need surgery, an ophthalmologist the person to see.
Choosing the right eye care professional for you is important, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. You can always contact us at Bright Side Eyecare if you have questions or want to learn more. And if you’re seeking an optometrist in Lake Worth, we’re here for you!
