Comparing Eye Doctors: Optometrist vs Ophthalmologist

Eye care is essential for maintaining good vision and overall eye health. Whether you need a routine check-up or treatment for a specific condition, understanding the different types of eye doctors—like optometrists and ophthalmologists—can help you choose the right one for your needs. Let's explore what eye doctors do and how to find the best eye care specialist for your needs.

What Is An Eye Doctor?

An eye doctor is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the eye and taking care of your vision.

The actual name for an eye doctor is an ophthalmologist. In addition, there are other eye care professionals who can provide health care for your eyes. 

The two main types of eye doctors are:

• Ophthalmologists 

• Optometrists

Note: Opticians are not eye doctors. They are eye care specialists who take head measurements, help you choose vision correction devices such as eyeglasses and contact lenses, and check eyeglass fittings. Opticians cannot do eye exams.

Ophthalmologist vs Optometrist  

What Is an Ophthalmologist?  

Ophthalmologists are MDs (Doctor of Medicine) or DOs (Doctor of Osteopathy) who attend medical school and specialize in treating eye conditions, including performing surgery. 

In addition to general ophthalmologists, there are subspecialists with intensive training and expertise in treating a particular part of the eye, such as the cornea or retina, or specific eye conditions, such as glaucoma. Some ophthalmologists specialize in oculoplastics or neuro-ophthalmology.

What Is an Optometrist?  

Optometrists are doctors of optometry (OD) who attend optometry school. In addition to providing routine primary eye care, they can treat common eye conditions but cannot perform surgery.

Key Differences 

Importance of Regular Eye Exams  

Regular eye exams are crucial for maintaining healthy vision and detecting potential issues early on. Find out why routine eye check-ups are so important and how they help keep your eyes healthy.

What Does an Eye Exam Include?  

• Routine eye exams are general eye checkups for people without eye problems or who only need corrective lenses. 

• Comprehensive eye exams include tests that can help diagnose and treat eye and vision problems early and prevent vision loss. 

• Follow-up exams are more specific tests to monitor previously diagnosed eye conditions, injuries, or procedures. People with certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration, may need regular follow-up exams at the doctor’s office.

• Emergency exams take place when an urgent issue is affecting vision, for example, eye injuries, head trauma, or sudden loss of vision. 

Vision Screenings and Tests  

Vision screenings and tests may include testing of:

• Visual acuity (how you can see out of each eye)

• Refraction (the lens power needed to correct refractive errors)

• Keratometry or topography (to measure the curvature of the cornea, for example, for contact lens fitting)

• Slit lamp exam, which is done using a special microscope to examine the cornea, iris, and lens of the eye

• Ophthalmoscopy or fundoscopy to examine the retina and optic nerve

• Eye muscle or eye movement testing

• Tonometry to measure intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye)

• Visual field testing to check peripheral (side) vision

• Imaging studies such as optical coherence tomography or fluorescein angiography to look at structures inside the eye

When Should You Have an Eye Exam?  

The recommended frequency of eye exams, according to the American Optometric Association, is as follows:

Where Can I Get Affordable Eye Exams?

Some of the places you can get low-cost eye care include community health centers, local pharmacies, and universities with ophthalmology or optometry programs. Additional resources include:

• VSP Vision Care

• New Eyes

• Mission Cataract USA

• Operation Sight

• American Glaucoma Society

• National Federation of the Blind

• Prevent Blindness

• American Academy of Ophthalmology

• All Children See

• Infant SEE

Online Vision Tests: Pros and Cons 

Online vision tests on a website or app are convenient and inexpensive. Some even allow you to check your vision for free from the comfort of your home. However, online eye tests are not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam from an eye doctor. Online tests cannot detect potentially serious eye disorders that an eye doctor can. However, they may be reasonable if you just want to renew your glasses prescription.

How to Maintain Good Eye Health  

Here are some tips to help maintain good eye health:

• Limit screen time and take regular breaks to prevent eye strain.

• Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun.

• Wear protective eyewear when doing activities that can cause eye injuries, such as contact sports or home repairs.

• Follow hygiene precautions if you use contact lenses.

• Get regular eye exams for early diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.

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Common Vision Problems and Eye Conditions  

Identifying Vision and Eye Problems  

Common symptoms of vision and eye problems include:

• Blurry vision (distant objects, nearby objects, or objects at all distances)

• Clouded, dim, or hazy vision

• Blurry spot in the center of the vision

• Faded colors

• Double vision

• Strings or spots (floaters) in the vision

• Zigzag lines 

• Shimmering stars or spots

• Flashes of light

• Glare around bright lights

• Halos around lights

• Inability to differentiate some colors

• Difficulty seeing at night

• Distortion of objects

• Loss of side vision

• Progressive curtain or shadow on the visual field

• Tunnel vision

• Partial or complete loss of vision

• Hallucinations (seeing things that aren’t there)

Common Eye Diseases

According to the Cleveland Clinic, some of the common eye diseases that eye doctors treat include:

• Refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (blurry vision due to the curvature of the eye)

• Amblyopia (lazy eye)

• Strabismus (squint)

• Blepharospasm (twitching eye)

• Eye infections and inflammation (blepharitis, conjunctivitis, uveitis)

• Diabetic retinopathy

• Glaucoma

• Cataracts

• Age-related conditions such as macular degeneration

• Retinal detachment

• Corneal ulcers

• Blocked tear ducts

• Color blindness

Understanding Corrective Measures  

Refractive errors are treated with corrective lenses (prescription glasses or contact lenses) or LASIK surgery. Other eye disorders require medical and surgical treatments. To ensure optimum eye health, it is important to follow your eye doctor’s treatment plan and keep all follow-up appointments.

Choosing the Right Eye Doctor  

Here are some of the factors to consider when you need to find an eye doctor that’s right for you:

• Type of eye care professional for your needs (optometrist, ophthalmologist, or optician)

• Experience level

• Specialization, if you need specialized care

• Credentials 

• Online reviews and referrals

• Insurance coverage 

• In-network

• Cost 

• Location

Ask your primary care provider for a referral or check your insurance plan’s website. Here are some additional resources to find an eye doctor in your area:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology (locator tool)

• American Optometric Association (search tool)

• Websites like VSP Vision Care, All About Vision, and EyeMed

FAQs About Eye Care and Eye Exams  

How Much Does A Walmart Eye Exam Cost?

A Walmart eye exam costs $75 on average for a comprehensive eye health and vision exam and $110 for a basic contact lens exam. There may be additional costs if you have astigmatism or need bifocal glasses.

Is 20/30 Vision Good or Bad?

20/30 vision is slightly less sharp compared to normal 20/20 vision. It falls within the range of normal visual acuity for most people. If you have 20/30 vision, it means an object that a person with normal vision can see clearly at 30 feet; you can see at 20 feet with the same detail.

Can You Do A NY DMV Vision Test Online?

You can take an NY DMV vision test online with authorized providers. However, the test is not free, and the DMV does not determine the fee. If the provider is not on the DMV Vision Registry, you may need to send your results to the DMV.