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Who Should You See for Eye Care?
When your eyes arenโt feeling right, or you need a new glasses prescription, you may wonder: should I see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist? This guide explains the difference between these two types of eye doctors, when to visit each, and how to make the right choice for your eye care.
What Is an Optometrist?
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An optometrist is a vision care professional who performs eye exams, diagnoses refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism), and prescribes glasses or contact lenses.
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In many regions, optometrists can also diagnose and treat minor eye conditions (such as conjunctivitis, dry eye, or eyelid inflammation), depending on local practice laws.
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However, optometrists usually do not perform eye surgery or treat complex eye diseases like retinal detachment or severe glaucoma.
What Is an Ophthalmologist?
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An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care, with training in medical school, residency, and often fellowship.
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Ophthalmologists can manage all eye diseases, prescribe medications, and perform surgical procedures such as cataract removal, LASIK, corneal transplants, and retinal surgery.
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If your eye issue involves sudden vision loss, trauma, or advanced disease, the ophthalmologist is the appropriate specialist to see.
Overlapping vs Exclusive Services
| Service / Need | Typically Handled by Optometrist | Requires Ophthalmologist |
|---|---|---|
| Routine eye exam & glasses / contacts | โ Yes | โ Yes |
| Screening for glaucoma / basic ocular health | โ Yes (in many regions) | โ Yes |
| Treating mild eye infections or inflammations | โ Sometimes (by jurisdiction) | โ Yes |
| Eye surgery (cataract, LASIK, retinal) | โ Usually not | โ Yes |
| Complex disease management (retina, tumors, severe glaucoma) | โ Referral | โ Yes |
When Should You See an Optometrist vs an Ophthalmologist?
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Visit an optometrist first if you need a vision check, updated prescription, or have mild eye irritation or redness.
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Go directly to an ophthalmologist if you experience:
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Sudden or drastic vision changes
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Eye trauma or injury
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Dark floaters, flashing lights, or a shadow in your vision
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Diagnosed eye disease needing ongoing treatment or surgery
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If your optometrist identifies something beyond their scope, they will often refer you to an ophthalmologist.
How to Choose the Right Provider
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Define your need: vision correction vs disease management or surgery
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Check local scope: In your area, optometrists may have expanded referral or prescribing rights
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Look at your risk profile: If you have chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension) or family history of eye disease, consider having an ophthalmologist as part of your care team
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Use integrated care: Many clinics use both optometrists and ophthalmologists in a referral-based system โ the optometrist handles everyday care and sort out cases for the ophthalmologist
Final Thoughts
Optometrists and ophthalmologists both play essential roles in eye care. The key is to match the provider to your specific eye health need. Routine vision care and mild conditions often fall within the optometristโs domain, while disease diagnosis, advanced treatments, and surgery stay with the ophthalmologist.
