When it comes to eye care, there are two primary professionals that you can seek assistance from eye care professionals - optometrists and ophthalmologists. While both are trained to provide eye care, there are some differences between them. Understanding these differences can help you make informed decisions about your eye care needs. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist and which one you should see for routine eye care.
The role of the optometrist has evolved over the years into a primary care medical role with a lot of overlap into the role of the ophthalmologist. This has to do with a variety of factors including a major national shortage of Ophthalmologists necessitating mobilizing optometrists to stand in. In the past a clear line was drawn at surgery, however due to the shortage and improvements in technology, as of 2023, 10 states license optometrists to perform certain surgical procedures.
Optometrists are healthcare professionals who are licensed to provide primary vision care. They typically complete a four-year doctor of optometry degree program after completing an undergraduate degree. During their education, optometrists receive training in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of a range of eye conditions, including vision problems, eye diseases, and injuries.
Optometrists can perform routine eye exams to assess the overall health of the eyes and identify any vision problems. They can prescribe corrective lenses, including glasses and contact lenses, to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. They may also prescribe medications to treat certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma, and provide pre- and post-operative care for certain eye surgeries.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and disorders. They typically complete four years of medical school, followed by a one-year internship and a three-year residency in ophthalmology. Some ophthalmologists may also complete a fellowship to further specialize in a particular area of eye care, such as glaucoma or pediatric ophthalmology.
As medical doctors, ophthalmologists are licensed to perform eye surgeries and provide a broader range of eye care services than optometrists. They can diagnose and treat a wide variety of eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. They can also prescribe medications, perform laser surgeries, and provide pre- and post-operative care for advanced eye surgeries.
For routine eye care, such as a comprehensive eye exam, emergency eye exams, diabetic eye exams, dry eye treatment, or the prescription of glasses or contact lenses, either an optometrist or ophthalmologist can provide the necessary care. However, there are a few factors that may influence which one you choose to see.
An important factor to consider is the availability of the eye care provider. Our optometrists are more widely available than ophthalmologists and may have more flexible hours, making it easier to schedule an appointment. Additionally, our optometrists may be more affordable than ophthalmologists, as their eye care services tend to be less towards the surgical side.
Furthermore our optometrist schedules longer exams and spends more time with the patient to cover their questions and concerns.
Please call us at (360) 491-2121 to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with our optometrist.
If you're searching for a new optometrist or if our optometry clinic in Olympia is too far for you, you can find an optometrist near you online by using the phrase “optometrist near me” or “eye doctor near me”.
Originally from Arizona, Levi received his Bachelor’s of Science in Zoology from Northern Arizona University and his Doctorate in Optometry from Pacific University in Oregon. He is board certified in developmental vision and vision therapy by COVD. He purchased the practice from the Inversos in 2012. He likes spending time with his family (wife and two children,) mountain biking, and undertaking creative projects. He wrote the vision therapy software used by the clinic, retinal camera software, and the computerized eye-chart used for exams.
Understanding the difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists is crucial for maintaining good eye health. Please call us at (360) 491-2121 to schedule a visit or drop in to check out our optical.
For those seeking advanced medical eye care visit our clinic from all over Washington, and we are proud to be a leading provider of medical eye care services for patients from Olympia, Lakewood, Tacoma, and Lacey.
Such a nice optician. My grandson is only 4 and needs glasses. We were so sad, but he explained the issues, and we will follow up as he suggested.
I had such a good experience with the clinic. Very friendly staff and doctor, did not have to wait for long to be called, and was treated respectfully. Thanks, American Family.
Dr. Zurcher has gone above and beyond what any other eye doctor has ever done to figure out what is going on with my eyes. Very happy with American Family Vision.
Family Vision Clinic changed our lives! My daughter was frequently car sick, and she was getting headaches every day, often painful enough that they brought her to tears. We saw a string of doctors and therapists, but we made no progress. Finally, we found Dr. Levi Zurcher and his eye therapist Rain. After ten weeks of eye therapy my daughter no longer gets headaches, and she no longer gets car sick. Daily tears are a thing of the past. I really can’t say enough about this clinic. It was fascinating to watch Dr. Zurcher work. For the first time, someone who knew what they were doing was intently studying my daughter, really trying to figure out all of her eye issues, and his therapist Rain is one of the most patient and lovely people that I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet. We’re finished with eye therapy—yay!—and I have switched to American Family Vision Clinic for all of my family’s other eye health needs.
Very professional, yet kind and helpful. They do what they can to make the appointment comfortable. I was running a bit late, I made sure ti call. They were able to switch me with a patient who was already there, they treated me with respect, and helped my son have confidence by getting him the eye care he needed that day. Thank you so much! Would recommend to anyone. It's a blessing that they care enough to work with people who have all different types of insurance from work to state coverage.
The staff is friendly. The Doc is very knowledgeable. The office is family friendly and everyone is so patient with the little ones.
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