What Are The Different Types Of An Eye Specialist Doctor?
3 min read
An eye specialist doctor focuses on diagnosing and treating patients with eye conditions. Eye doctors specialize in different fields and deal with specific medical complications that relate to the eye. Each type of eye doctor has their own duty and responsibilities. In this article, we are going to figure out how they differ and what makes them distinct from each other. Visit this special site, www.armadale-eye.com.au if you are in need of an eye specialist.
Different Types of Eye Specialist Doctor
There are three distinct eye doctors that treat eye conditions and disorders. The type of doctor that you will visit will vary on the condition of your eye. Before setting up an appointment with an eye care specialist, it is recommended that you check their area of specialization first and see if they are the right fit for you.
Eye specialist doctors are consist of optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists. Each eye specialist has its own level of expertise and provides separate services to patients with different eye needs.
Optometrist
The primary task of an optometrist is mainly related to visual problems. They are specially trained to determine the root cause of the defects in vision, symptoms of injuries, and ocular diseases. They are expected to perform the following procedures:
- eye examinations
- vision assessment
- recommend restorative lenses
- determining irregularities in the eye
- prescribed medication for eye conditions
- executing eye surgeries
- rehabilitates an abnormal eye
Compared to other eye doctors, optometrists are easier to find and locate. So if you are having complications with your vision, an optometrist is the best eye specialist doctor to go to.
Optician
Opticians do not handle patients directly. They are the eye specialists behind the production of corrective eyeglasses, eyeglass frames, contact lenses, and all other devices that are used by an optometrist and ophthalmologist to treat a patient. Only licensed and registered opticians are allowed to design and manage special machines to fix cosmetic and anatomical imperfections.
They do not provide treatment for eye conditions. Instead, they work hand in hand with optometrists and ophthalmologists to come up with the most suitable visual aid for a patient.
Ophthalmologist
Ophthalmologists need to go through a much longer period of training. Mainly because this eye specialist doctor conducts more complex and profound services to aid multiple eye conditions and disorders.
Most ophthalmologists can also accommodate patients with visual problems like cataracts and other related eye problems and prescribe visual aids. Apart from this, their responsibilities also include:
- diagnosis of eye problems and disability
- performing surgical operations to the eye
- consistently explore new treatments and cures related to restoring eye function
It may not be necessary, but ophthalmologists can also detect other health issues that may not be directly related to the eye. During an eye examination, he might be able to see symptoms of diseases. Detected diseases beyond their expertise will require them to refer a patient to a medical professional that can handle the specified disease.
They also have the option to expand their expertise by training to learn the subspecialties of the ophthalmology branch:
- Glaucoma specialist- glaucoma is an eye condition that damages the optic nerve which directly affects the vision.
- Retina specialist- ophthalmologists widen their knowledge by studying the retina and researching the best ways to rehabilitate an eye with retina problems.
- Cornea specialist- they are licensed to perform corneal eye surgery due to eye disorders that relate to the cornea.
- Neurology specialist- neuro-ophthalmologists deal with eye conditions that are caused by brain dysfunctionality.
- Pediatric specialists- these eye care doctors specialize in treating children with eye conditions.
