Taking good care of your eyes and vision may mean you need to see an ophthalmologist and an optometrist at some point in your lifetime. For certain eye issues, these two types of eye care professionals often work together to help patients get the best results. While both may be referred to as "eye doctors" and a few of their offerings overlap, it’s good to know a little about each profession’s expertise.
If you're experiencing eye problems, the following key differences in specialization and scope of practice will help you decide whether to make an appointment with an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
What is an optometrist?
Your optometrist is your primary eye health professional — typically in charge of examining, diagnosing and treating eye conditions. This is who you'll visit for an annual eye checkup. He or she will have earned a Doctor of Optometry. Following this education, many optometrists undergo additional training in a clinical setting or as part of a specialty fellowship.
Optometrists perform comprehensive eye exams to assess vision acuity and eye health, to administer treatment and to complete minor surgical procedures. They also treat vision abnormalities, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, prescribe and fit you for glasses, contacts and other vision aids; and diagnose and treat eye disorders, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Optometrists are also qualified to diagnose and treat diabetes, high blood pressure and other systemic conditions related to your eye health.
What is an ophthalmologist?
As a secondary eye professional, ophthalmologists are physicians that can perform medical and surgical interventions for eye conditions typically referred from optometrists. They have earned a Doctorate of Ophthalmology. Following formal education, they undergo a one-year internship, followed by a four-to-seven-year residency in medical and surgical eye care.
Ophthalmologists offer a wide range of eye care services along with more specialized surgical expertise. They can provide eye exams, as well as diagnosis and treatment for common and serious eye disorders, like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. They are also qualified to diagnose and treat related diseases, such as diabetes and arthritis, and sometimes perform plastic surgery of the eye area. Ophthalmologists often co-manage ocular disease and laser vision correction procedures with their patients’ optometrists.
How to choose an eye doctor
Whether you decide to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, here are a few tips to help you find one you can trust with your vision:
- Ask your doctor — your primary care physician may have a trusted colleague to whom they can refer you
- Ask your network — a referral from friends and family can help you feel confident with your choice
- Use CareCredit's Acceptance Locator to find an eye doctor near you
- Schedule a consultation to get to know the eye doctor and to ask questions about specific vision issues you may be experiencing
Remember that the CareCredit credit card is an easy way to pay for vision expenses like eye exams and treatment, including eye surgery.* To find an eye doctor near you, visit the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App.