When most people need to get an eye checkup or get any type of help with eye issues, they tend to say, "Time for a visit to the eye doctor." However, some people may not really know that there are two distinctly different types of eye doctors. Want to know which is right for you and your eyes? Read on to find out the difference between the two "O" doctors: The optometrist and the ophthalmologist.  

The Optometrist 

An optometrist is a doctor, but they are not medical doctors like physicians are. An optometrist gains their training through a standard four-year college degree program followed by another four years at a college of optometry. A college of optometry educates their students in nearly all aspects of eye care, including:      

• Analysis of eyes as a whole
• Diagnosis of eye problems and eye disease
• Prescription of eyeglasses and contact lenses
• Non-surgical treatment for eye problems and eye disease

Once the optometric college course is completed, the optometrist is officially known as a Doctor of Optometry. While many optometrists are generalists who treat people of all ages and conditions, some optometrists do choose to focus on pediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, or some other specific area of optometry. Some optometrists also undergo additional training in specialized areas like vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation. 

The Ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist is a Medical Doctor (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO). All ophthalmologists must complete both an undergraduate degree and medical school. As with any other physician, the ophthalmologist has to complete a residency in their chosen area of specialty following medical school graduation.

The training for an ophthalmologist encompasses everything that the optometrist training does. However, the ophthalmologist will also learn highly specialized eye surgery techniques and treatments. An ophthalmologist may spend the majority of their time doing patient surgeries such as correcting detached retinas or removing cataracts.  

How the Two "O" Doctors Work Together

Usually, the ophthalmologist will not act as a patient's primary eye care doctor. Instead, the optometrist will be the eye doctor that performs the basic exams, provides diagnosis, and administers basic treatments for eye issues. If an optometrist diagnoses a serious issue with a patient's eyes, the patient will typically be referred to an ophthalmologist. At that point, the ophthalmologist will do further diagnostic testing and will perform any necessary treatments or surgeries. Many optometrists and ophthalmologists have strong working relationships so that they can better serve patients with any types of eye problems. When the "O" doctors work as a team, the patients always win! 

Contact a local eye doctor, such as one from Quality Eye Care, for further assistance.