After college, they spent four years in a professional program and earned a doctor's degree in optometry. Some optometrists receive additional clinical training or complete a specialized fellowship after optometry school. An optometrist (OD) is an ophthalmologist who has earned a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. This is a four-year degree in addition to your standard undergraduate degree. The importance of comprehensive eye exams with an ophthalmologist goes beyond blurred vision.
Vision changes over time and more than 16 million Americans have undiagnosed or untreated vision problems, which a comprehensive eye exam could have detected. Every day, America's leading eye health care providers screen asymptomatic patients who come for comprehensive eye exams, and then diagnose serious eye health problems ranging from glaucoma and macular degeneration to STDs, brain tumors, and other conditions. A thorough eye exam performed by an optometry doctor determines a patient's eye and visual health. During the examination, the doctor checks not only visual acuity through refraction, but also the health of the eyes, eye tissue and other diseases. Each patient's symptoms, along with the professional judgment of the optometry doctor, will determine which tests are performed. Current methods of vision screening cannot be relied on to effectively identify people in need of eye care.
These types of tests are offered in schools, pediatrician offices, or at the DMV. While they may discover some vision problems, they may lose more than they find. In some cases, eye exams can give people who pass the test a false sense of security and inhibit early diagnosis of vision problems. Therefore, these people are less likely to receive treatment for their vision problem and it could get worse. A comprehensive eye exam includes a series of tests to perform a full evaluation of the health of your eyes and vision.
The optometry doctor can not only assess your eye health, but they can also identify symptoms of conditions in other parts of the body, such as brain tumors, aneurysms, high blood pressure, and diabetes. An optometrist (doctor of optometry) is like a general practitioner, but for the eyes. Although exact services differ from practice to practice, optometrists offer a range of primary eye care services. An optometrist has a doctor's degree in optometry. After completing four years of undergraduate study, an optometrist must attend four years of optometry school.
From an accreditation perspective, an optometrist receives a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree by completing an undergraduate degree and four years of optometry school. If, after meeting with the ophthalmologist, the patient decides to go ahead with cataract surgery, the ophthalmologist and optometrist often share the patient's pre- and post-operative care, hoping to meet all of the patient's eye care needs as efficiently as possible. A major difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist is that an ophthalmologist is trained to perform eye surgery. Minnesota Eye Consultants is a comprehensive ophthalmology and eye care provider with several centers in Minnesota. If you need an eye exam and want to discuss contacts, be sure to schedule your visit with an optometrist. Visit your medical optometrist for primary eye care, including prescriptions for eye medications, monitoring and management of eye diseases, or emergency eye care services. Minnesota Eye Consultants' ophthalmology website makes every effort to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
Doctors of optometry are essential healthcare providers and are recognized as doctors under Medicare. While all optometrists are trained to provide primary care for your eyes, they may be best known for their expertise in vision correction and care. It's good to be aware of vision problems, symptoms, and health risk factors that may indicate that you should seek the care of an ophthalmologist. Many eye diseases develop without symptoms, so an eye exam is vital to overall eye control. Both ophthalmologists and optometrists can prescribe medications to treat certain eye disorders, such as conjunctivitis, allergies and glaucoma. When talking about the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, it's almost like comparing your family doctor to a cardiologist. You should see your optometrist for general eye care, including eye exams, vision correction, contact lenses, and eyeglass interventions.
