This blog discusses the difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists and how they work together to treat patients effectively.
Why should someone with low vision visit both an Ophthalmologist and a low vision optometrist?
The simple answer is that an Ophthalmologist and a low vision optometrist work together to improve the health and vision of the patient, each one providing a different aspect of care. The Ophthalmologist's job is to treat the underlying condition and prevent further deterioration of the patient's vision. On the other end the low vision optometrist's job is to monitor the patient's vision while also ensuring that the patient is able to maximize their remaining vision and function to the absolute best that their vision can allow. A low vision optometrist will often have many of their patients referred to by local Ophthalmologists so that their patients can regain their independence and have better visual outcomes after vision loss.
What is the difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists?
When people suffer from vision problems or eye problems, optometrists are the first professionals they see. An optometrist prescribes spectacles, reading glasses, contact lenses, as well as visual aids for those with visual impairments. These professionals diagnose and treat common eye-related problems such as dry eyes, short-sightedness, and reading difficulties. Additionally, they offer comprehensive eye exams that assess eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. They are well trained to know when to refer such eye conditions to ophthalmologists.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) who diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, performs eye surgery, and may also prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. Their services are similar to those provided by optometrists, with the addition of eye surgery.
What eye conditions are treated by both optometrists and ophthalmologists?
Optometrists and ophthalmologists work together to treat eye conditions like:
- Nearsightedness
- Farsightedness
- Dry eye
- Glaucoma
- Macular degeneration
- Cataracts
- Uveitis
- Retinal detachment
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Optic nerve disease
- Strabismus (cross-eye)
How does a low vision optometrist and an ophthalmologist work together?
Optometrists and ophthalmologists work together to treat low vision patients since an ophthalmologist examines the patient's eye health, any eye diseases, and how they might progress, while optometrists examine the health of the patient's eyes, vision, and the best way to improve it. That is why a lot of times, the patient gets referred to an optometrist.
Optometrists and ophthalmologists often collaborate, focusing on treating patients, and performing similar eye examinations. In a low vision evaluation, the goal is to enhance the patient's vision, create comfortable environments and use devices to achieve the vision that they are hoping to achieve, and then refer the patient back to an ophthalmologist so that their disease can be monitored. The team-oriented approach is extremely beneficial, and it is very helpful to have both.
