The aim of this review was to investigate the relative benefits and potential harms of these lenses. Both types of eye doctors now work very seamlessly in the field of eye care.Ĭall us today with questions and to schedule your next appointment with either the Optometrist or Ophthalmologist.Blue-blocking (BB) spectacle lenses, which attenuate short-wavelength light, are being marketed to alleviate eyestrain and discomfort when using digital devices, improve sleep quality and potentially confer protection from retinal phototoxicity. Your Optometrist can diagnose the eyes for any medical issues and even treat minor issues. If you need a routine eye exam, updated prescription for glasses or contacts then an Optometrist would be your best choice. An Optometrist works more routinely with general routine eye care and examinations. If you are in need of eye surgery or have severe complications of the eyes, then an Ophthalmologist may be your best choice for your eye exam. Ophthalmologist work more routinely in surgical situations. MDs will also refer patients to other MDs when they need another specialist to give their diagnosis or utilize their surgical expertise such as an Oncologist of the Eyes.īoth eye doctors can perform routine eye exams and diagnose medical conditions of the eyes. Some eye care centers will have both an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist that co-manage the same patients by referring patients back and forth. This is very similar for an Optometrist who may refer you to an Ophthalmologist who is also Retinal Specialist if he/she suspects any type of issues pertaining to the retina. Your general practitioner may refer you to an Oncologist if he/she suspects cancer after an examination.
Think of your Optometrist as you would your general practitioner of the eyes compared to an Oncologist who specializes in surgery pertaining cancer. More recently Optometrists are being trained on Lasik procedures even though currently they are not legally able to perform these surgeries without being overseen by an MD (except in Oklahoma & Kentucky). Optometrists and Ophthalmologists are both medically trained and have some crossover however, Ophthalmologists are trained more on surgical procedures such as cataract surgery, corneal transplants, or Lasik procedures. The fine difference between the two eye doctors is the medical and/or surgical focus. All rotations are in clinical settings such as a hospital but are all focused on the eyes. During the clinical years, these future Optometrists, are performing eye exams in various settings either at the local school clinic or during their rotations. Clinicals generally start during the 2nd year. Additional courses on optics and vision sciences are a focus because the Optometry program is focused on training doctoral students to work in the eye care field.
During the first two years Optometry students also study human anatomy, pharmacology, microbiology, biochemistry, and pathology. (Medical Degree) and are specialized in one field such as family medicine or even oncology.Īn Optometrist attends an Optometry focused program at schools, such as University of Alabama in Birmingham. Each medical school will vary from program to program and prepares medical students to work as medical doctors. After the four years of medical training they are matched within a residency program that can take an additional 3 to 7 years at a teaching hospital. The 3rd and 4th years focus more on clinical rotations through different specialties. Medical school intensely prepares each student in a broad sense of human anatomy, pharmacology, microbiology, biochemistry, and pathology which generally takes place during the first two years. Each school will have different acceptance rates, process, and limits to the number of students accepted.Īn Ophthalmologist attends medical school, such as Emory University in Atlanta. Medical school and Optometry school are both very difficult programs to be accepted into. Both types of eye doctors attend 4 years of additional medical education & training at an accredited University.
Both must meet the pre-requisites of a 4-year undergraduate bachelor’s degree, specialized testing, application processes, and interviews with schools. Ophthalmologists and Optometrists are both considered eye doctors but take slightly different paths of training and education.
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