Eye Doctors: Should You See an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist?

You know you need to see an eye doctor regularly. But with whom do you schedule a visit to exactly? Should you be seeing an optometrist or ophthalmologist? 

Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist: What’s the Difference?

Most of the differences between the two will boil down to education. While optometrists attend optometry school for four years and commonly do an additional year of residency, ophthalmologists go to medical school for four years and then do four years of residency, plus a possible year or two to attend a fellowship to specialize. Optometrists and ophthalmologists can both handle all medical aspects of eye care, but only ophthalmologists can offer surgery as treatment.

Who You Should See

Whether you need to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist will depend on the kind of eye care you need. If you are looking to be fitted with scleral lenses, for example, then you can see either an optometrist or ophthalmologist, although it’s worth noting that optometrists specialize in difficult lens fittings. If you need surgery or suspect a serious eye condition, on the other hand, you should schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist.

What About Opticians?

While an optician is not an eye doctor, they are still an integral part of eye care, trained to use prescriptions for optometrists and ophthalmologists to help you find the right eyeglasses, contact lenses and other kinds of vision correction devices for you.  

Insight Vision Center Optometry is your leading choice for eye care solutions that truly work in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach and the surrounding communities. To learn more about our vision therapy services and what we can do for you, simply give us a call at (714) 486-3315, or fill out our contact form. Schedule an appointment with us today!