Opthalmologist or optometrist?!
Question: if i just need a routine eye exam and i haven't had my eyes check in about 2-3 years, which one do i go to? would it really matter?
Answers: if i just need a routine eye exam and i haven't had my eyes check in about 2-3 years, which one do i go to? would it really matter?
Optometrists can and do treat glaucoma ALL THE TIME. The only reason to see an ophthalmologist is if you need surgery.
An Optometrist would certainly be fine for a Routine Eye Exam and prescribing Glasses or Contacts if you need them... Would also be cheaper than an Ophthamologist... those guys are specialists and they deal with much more serious disorders and injuries of the eyes...
Good Luck!
Opthimoligists are only if you need eye surgury
Optomitrist should be fine.
An ophthalmologist is a Medical Doctor who has an M.D. degree. That means he or she has gone through four years of medical school and at least one year of post-graduate general medical and surgical training and is a fully trained physician who has then gone on to specialize in treatment of eye diseases by doing at LEAST three years of extra training in ophthalmology. An ophthalmologist is, therefore, fully trained in all aspects of medical AND surgical diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and has as well a complete background in general medicine.
An optometrist has a Doctor of Optometry degree from an optometry school which is usually four years of training in examining the eyes and treating certain types of visual and eye disorders. They do not have any background in general medicine, nor do they have any training in surgical management of eye diseases. They generally have a little training in medical treatment, but it varies a great deal.
As a general rule, if you have nothing medically wrong with your eyes and just need glasses or contact lenses or general routine eye check-ups, an optometrist can provide that service. If you have anything actually wrong with your eyes or have a general medical problem such as glaucoma, it is better to see an ophthalmologist, although yes both can treat glaucoma. Good luck with that.
Most people see an optometrist for their regular eye exam. These doctors can provide a comprehensive eye assessment and diagnose you with any eye pathologies. If your pressures were a bit high last time they may be fine now (this is something that should be monitored yearly). I'd start with an optometrist first. Their knowledge in optics is also usually superior than any other eye doctors also, since they are the ones who prescribe eye glasses and contacts. If your pressures are elevated then the next step would be to see a glaucoma specialist.