Department

An eye doctor is a physician who treats eye-related issues. Many people see an eye doctor due to various conditions like pink eye. Eye-related matters can range from severe infections to sight or vision problems. According to the level of training and expertise, there are three types of eye care professionals. Patients can consult with an optician, an optometrist, or an ophthalmologist depending on the nature of the eye problem. Each of these specialists provides a different type of care for various eye issues.

Common eye problems that require an eye-care specialist

a) Refractive Errors

One of the most common eye problems Americans face is refractive errors. Struggling with poor vision problems like myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia or astigmatism (distorted vision at all distances), etc., is common. People experiencing these issues might have to see an optician or an optometrist (both in some cases). Refractive error issues can be corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery.

b) Conjunctivitis

Commonly known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is a common condition caused due to infections in the thin outermost membrane surrounding the eyeball. It is highly contagious. Allergies can also trigger pink eyes. The eyes often appear pink and inflamed. In addition to this, the eyes also discharge watery substances and feel very itchy. There are three types of conjunctivitis - Bacterial, Viral and Allergic.

c) Cataract

Another common eye problem in America, as well as the world, is cataracts. A person who has cataracts might become partially or entirely blind. A grayish cloud-like layer is formed in the eye's lens, making the vision blurry. An ophthalmologist will perform a simple lens replacement surgery. The surgery will replace the eye's natural lens that has developed the cataract with an intraocular lens.

d) Amblyopia

Amblyopia is a shared vision impairment problem that can be seen in children. The condition is commonly called lazy eye. The vision of one of the eyes is impaired or reduced. This condition occurs due to a lack of coordination between the eye and the brain. People suffering from amblyopia often have an imbalance in their vision, causing them to favor one eye over the other.

e) Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a severe eye problem that causes damage to the eye's optic nerve. The normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, causing damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma can often lead to blindness and vision impairment. In cases like these seeing an ophthalmologist at the earliest is necessary. Early treatment can slow down vision impairment and protect against vision loss.

Different types of eye care specialists and what they do?

1) Optometrist

Optometrists are specialists who examine the eyes for abnormalities and offer primary eye care. Unlike ophthalmologists, optometrists attend optometry school and not a medical school and obtain a four-year degree in optometrics.

They can conduct eye exams, perform specialized surgical procedures, detect certain eye irregularities, conduct vision tests, etc. In addition to this, they also provide visual rehabilitation and prescribe corrective lenses. The drugs that optometrists are allowed to prescribe are decided by each state's state board of optometry. A few states in the United States also allow optometrists to perform laser surgeries.

2) Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologists are eye care specialists who specialize in studying and treating disorders and diseases of the eye. Unlike opticians, ophthalmologists need to attend medical school and have at least eight years of medical school training. To practice and perform surgeries, ophthalmologists need to hold a license.

They can perform eye surgeries and diagnose and treat all eye problems. Some ophthalmologists also specialize in subspecialties where they study and become experts on certain parts of the eye. They can be glaucoma specialists, neurology specialists, pediatric specialists, cornea specialists, retina specialists, etc. From optic nerve issues to detached retinas, ophthalmologists can treat a wide range of eye-related problems.

3) Optician

An optician is an eye care specialist trained to help people find the perfect visual aid. Sometimes opticians rely on prescriptions from an ophthalmologist or an optometrist to verify if the person needs visual aids.

Unlike an ophthalmologist or an optometrist, opticians cannot treat eye conditions and eyesight issues or prescribe drugs. Opticians help you find the perfect eyeglass and contact lenses to correct your eyesight.