There are two types of eye doctors: optometrists and ophthalmologists. It can be confusing to decide which best meet your needs since there is some overlap in what they do. Both optometrists and ophthalmologists are trained to examine, diagnose, and treat many of the same eye diseases and disorders.
Optometrists are doctors of optometry (OD). Optometry education requires a mimum of four years of training after four years of pre-optometry college, as well as state licensure to practice. Optometrists perform comprehensive eye examinations and can prescribe vision correction (eye glasses or contacts). They also treat eye problems such as eye infections, eye inflammations, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal disease, and eye disorders associated with diabetes or high blood pressure. They prescribe certain medications for ocular conditions. While they cannot perform surgery, they can evaluate patients pre- and post-operatively.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD). Ophthalmologist education requires four years of pre-medical college, four years of medical school, one year of internship, and three or more years of specialized medical and surgical training specifically in eye care. In addition to the optometric scope of practice described above, ophthalmologists can perform eye surgery (i.e. cataract surgery, retinal surgery, refractive surgery, strabismus surgery, etc.).
At Eye Care Associates of Greater Cincinnati, our ophthalmologists and optometrists work closely together. This allows seamless and ongoing disease treatment and management. If our optometrists identify a condition that is not within the scope of their practice, they will refer you one of our ophthalmologists conveniently located in the same office.