Many people do not know the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist. So what is the difference? A certified ophthalmologist is a physician that attended medical school had a one-year internship, followed by a three or four-year residency. Conversely, the optometrist is a medical professional though not a physician, since they attend college and a four-year residency program. Unlike the optometrist, that offers regular vision care such as the prescription of contacts, eyeglasses, the services provided by accredited ophthalmologists are diagnostic, and treatment focused rather than prescriptive.
Services offered by accredited ophthalmologists
The services provided by these physicians include
- Diagnosis of Eye Conditions
- Plastic Surgery
- Medical Eye Care
- Treatment of Ocular Emergencies
Diagnosis of Eye Conditions
They treat and diagnose a broad range of related eye conditions that include arthritis and Diabetes screening. They screen and treat conditions such as chemical burns, Iritis, Glaucoma, allergic conjunctivitis, strabismus, retinal detachment, and corneal ulcers among others. Complete diagnostic services offered may include visual field testing, fundus photography, gonioscopy, pachymetry, tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp evaluation, refraction, and evaluation of visual acuity.
Plastic Surgery
Ophthalmologists perform plastic surgery operations that include surgical correction of eye conditions that include drooping eyelids, smoothing wrinkles, pterygium removal, ectropion, and ptosis. It is only accredited ophthalmologists that are allowed to perform LASIK and YAG laser surgery procedures. They also perform surgeries to correct eye conditions including glaucoma implant surgery, cataract surgery, crossed eyes, Botox facial injections, cosmetic eyelid surgery, corneal transplants, and vitreous and retinal surgery.
Medical Eye Care
Ophthalmologists offer a range of vision therapy and routine eye exams ranging from laser treatment, retinal tomography, corneal mapping, fluorescein angiography, and visual field testing. These medical eye care services are intended to test and enhance the effectiveness of surgical and medical procedures involving diseases of the orbit, plastic and reconstructive surgery, neuro and retinal ophthalmology, allergies, glaucoma, and uveitis treatments.
Treatment of Ocular Emergencies
An ophthalmologist treats all eye emergencies including chemical burns, acute angle-closure glaucoma, central retinal artery occlusion, retinal detachment, and penetrating globe injury. Accredited ophthalmologists from Ophthalmology have the expertise to test for ocular movements and visual acuity resulting from chemical burns and high-velocity trauma, which other eye care professionals such as optometrists may easily misdiagnose. Tests the ophthalmologist will conduct include pupillary examination, and direct ophthalmoscopy of both eyes.
More often than not, you would require an ophthalmologist if your ocular conditions are more pronounced or need a diagnosis, and an optometrist if you already have a diagnosis, and need prescription and therapy.