What Is the Meaning of an Optometrist, and How Do They Differ from Ophthalmologists? - #15223
I recently went for an eye checkup, and the person who examined my vision was called an optometrist. I always thought eye doctors were called ophthalmologists, so now I’m confused. What exactly is the meaning of an optometrist, and how is their role different from an ophthalmologist or an optician? From what I understand, an optometrist primarily checks vision, prescribes glasses or contact lenses, and detects eye conditions like astigmatism, myopia, and presbyopia. But do optometrists also treat serious eye diseases, or is that something only an ophthalmologist can do? If someone has cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration, should they see an optometrist first, or go directly to an ophthalmologist? Also, do optometrists perform any minor surgical procedures, or do they just focus on vision correction? If anyone has been to both an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, how did their care differ? Should I always see an optometrist for basic vision problems before consulting an ophthalmologist?
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