What to Look For When Choosing the Right Ophthalmologist

• What’s the difference between an optometrist, optician, and ophthalmologist?
• Which is better for my eye care, an optometrist, or an ophthalmologist? 
• What to look for when choosing the right ophthalmologist?

There are a variety of factors to look for when choosing the right ophthalmologist. Before you begin your search, the first step is to determine if an ophthalmologist is indeed the right type of eyecare provider for you. Let’s explore the difference between an optometrist, an optician and an ophthalmologist and then discuss what to look for when choosing the right ophthalmologist.

What’s the Difference Between an Optometrist, Optician, and an Ophthalmologist?

Your eyesight is so important. Knowing the right type of clinical specialist to call for a routine checkup or when you’re having problems with your eyes is key to receiving care when you need it most. There are three types of eye doctors that can help keep your eyes healthy through all the stages of your life.

• Optometrist. If you’ve ever been in an exam chair in front of a big machine with a doctor asking, “Better, worse, or about the same?” you’ve already encountered an optometrist. A doctor of optometry (OD) is responsible for your annual exam and eye check. They are the doctors that diagnose your vision acuity, check for eye illnesses, and find the right prescription for your contacts or glasses. Your optometrist has advanced training—usually an undergraduate college degree (three or four years) and an additional four years of intensive study in the mechanisms, functioning, and diseases of the eye. At the end of their study, the optometrist takes a licensure exam that allows them to practice optometry. After that,  their job is to perform eye exams, vision tests, and prescribe and dispense corrective lenses and certain medications to treat eye diseases.
• Optician. At the second stage of eyecare rests the Optician. They are technical specialists in the fitting of eyeglasses, contacts, or other devices that can correct your eyesight. This is the healthcare worker that you work closely with when picking out your next set of glasses or when testing out contact lenses. These workers are important technicians in the field of eye care, but they are not legally allowed to diagnose or treat eye disease.
• Ophthalmologist. At the highest end on the eye care spectrum is the ophthalmologist, who is tasked with treating eye disease and providing vision care. Ophthalmologists have the highest level of training in the eye care world; typically, they complete four years of undergraduate work, four years of medical school, one year of a medical internship, and three years of an Ophthlamology residency.  Additionally, some ophthlamologist may pursue an additional year of training called a fellowship.  In the United States each year there are only 480 doctors selected to train in this specialty area.

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors licensed to practice medicine and surgery and can diagnose and manage all eye diseases. They also perform eye surgery and can do the work of the optometrist and optician, prescribing and fitting eyeglasses and contacts to correct vision issues. Some ophthalmologists are also research scientists that look for the causes of eye disease or their cures.

Many times, an optometrist will discover a problem with the patient’s eyes and refer them to an ophthalmologist for further management and treatment.  Some common problems include:

• High intraocular pressures in one or both eyes
• Dry eye syndrome
• Eye injury
• Eye cancer
• Distorted, blurred, or double vision
• Eyelid abnormalities
• Pink eye
• Halos (colored circles around lights)
• Eye diseases
• Cataracts

Which is Better for My Eye Care, an Optometrist, or an Ophthalmologist?

The answer to this question depends upon the needs of the specific patient. Are you seeking a standard eye checkup or are you worried there is a problem? Here are some ways to figure out whether you need an optometrist or an ophthalmologist:

• Who can perform an eye exam and give you a prescription for glasses?

Both the optometrist and ophthalmologist can complete these tasks.

• Who can perform laser vision corrective surgery?

Ophthalmologists are the best choice for any eye or eyelid surgeries you may need. Optometrists are not trained to perform surgery.

• Who can treat serious eye conditions?

The ophthalmologist is the better choice for serious eye illnesses such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy.

Your optometrist will likely refer you to an ophthalmologist if there are any problems with your eyes. An ophthalmologist can treat difficult conditions such as glaucoma, eye infections, and perform cataract surgery, or even corneal transplants.  Your optometrist is the first line of defense, however, which is why regular checkups are so important to your vision health.

Typically, a patient goes to see their optometrist for a routine vision exam. The optometrist may prescribe glasses which will be fitted by the optician. If the optometrist discovers a problem or concern with your eyes, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist for specialty care or treatment.

What To Look for When Choosing the Right Ophthalmologist?

Choosing any doctor is a personal decision. If you’ve been referred to or are looking for an ophthalmologist, how do you know that doctor is right for your care? Here are some of the main considerations you may want to have in mind when choosing the right ophthalmologist:

• Insurance. Practically speaking, start with your insurance coverage to determine your choice of covered providers. To receive the most out of your healthcare benefits, start with the list of ophthalmologists covered by your policy.
• Credentials. Next, consider the credentials and field of expertise of the ophthalmologist. Where did the doctor attend school? Did the doctor receive any academic awards? Where did the doctor attend residency, which provides critical hands-on experience in treating patients? Did the doctor pursue Fellowship training?  Finally, has the doctor been published in peer-reviewed journals or received other accolades in the field?
• Board-Certified.  Board-certification is an extensive process after an Ophthalmologist completes his or her training.  It includes a written examination proctored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, followed by an oral examination given by experts in the field.  Board-certification not only tells a patient that the physician has gone through every step to make patient care safe and effective, but that the physician also has the recommended level of medical and surgical knowledge as deemed by the authority in the field, the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
• Experience. Find out more about the doctor’s experience in treating your condition. You can research online by looking at patient reviews, or even call the office to ask about how many patients with your specific problem the doctor has treated.
• Comfort. It’s important to feel comfortable with your new ophthalmologist. Checking patient online reviews is a good way to get a sense of what the doctor is like. What is his or her communication style? When you call the office does the receptionist make you feel welcome? During the first visit did you feel engaged or rushed out the door?
• Availability. Does the practice offer hours when it is convenient for your schedule? How long do you have to wait for an appointment? When you call the office, does the receptionist work hard to find the best time for your visit?

Taking care of your vision is a lifelong process, so finding the right doctor is important. These guidelines will help you find the ophthalmologist that is the best fit for you.

Lake Nona Ophthalmology knows you have choices when it comes to eye care. We will do our best to provide you with top of the line eye care in a comfortable, warm environment that suits your needs. Contact us to get started.