What is the Difference Between Ophthalmology and Optometry?
If you have glasses or contacts, you have probably encountered several eye care professionals during your journey. Do you know the difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist? Both can play an essential role in your eye health.
What is the Difference Between Ophthalmology and Optometry?
An optometrist has a Doctor of Optometry degree. This degree allows them to provide routine eye care, treat some eye conditions, and manage corrective lenses. An ophthalmologist has a medical degree. They also have additional medical and surgical eye treatment training.
What Does an Optometrist Do?
You may see an optometrist in private practice or another facility that offers routine eye care, vision testing, and prescription lenses. They have extensive training in eye care, vision correction, and medical conditions of the eye. They can diagnose many different eye conditions. They may treat these themselves or refer you to another doctor, depending on the type and severity of your condition.
What Does an Ophthalmologist Do?
An ophthalmologist has all the training of an optometrist. In addition, they have years of additional training in areas of specialization that can include eye surgery, eye diseases and conditions, or other specialties. An ophthalmologist has an MD degree. They can provide routine eye care, but they can also perform eye surgeries and procedures. Someone with these qualifications performs most eye procedures.
What Kinds of Services Can Our Doctors Provide?
Laser Vision Correction
These procedures use a computer-controlled laser to remove microscopic layers of the cornea. Reshaping the cornea corrects the angle of incoming light, resulting in clearer vision. Dr. Senekal performs laser vision correction procedures.
Intraocular Lens Implants
An ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is placed into your eye and overlies your natural lens. It can provide significant vision improvement. RLE (refractive lens exchange) exchanges a damaged or cloudy lens for a new artificial one. Dr. Senekal performs these procedures as well.
Dry Eye Treatment
LipiFlow® offers a non-invasive, comfortable way to improve dry eye. The majority of dry eye cases occur due to blockages in glands that make the lipid layer of tears. LipiFlow® unblocks these glands. Dr. Teliani manages dry eye patients and LipiFlow® treatments.
Request a Consultation
We’d love to help you get all the information you need in order to make the best choice for your eyes. Request a consultation today! Our staff is available and happy to answer your every question.
Do I Need to See An Optometrist or an Ophthalmologist?
For routine eye care or management of a medical eye condition, our specialists may refer you to one of our optometry partners. We have pre-approved these providers and refer patients to a conveniently located facility. Please ask if you need a referral to one of these trusted partners.
Take the Next Step
To learn more about our experienced eye doctors, please schedule your consultation by either filling out the form on this page or by calling (780) 452-4111. We look forward to helping you!
