Choosing An Eye Care Professional
There are several types of professionals whom you may contact to help with questions and problems regarding your eyesight. The following lists some of the eye care professionals.
An ophthalmologist is a physician (doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy) who specializes in the comprehensive care of the eyes and visual system in the prevention of eye disease and injury. The ophthalmologist has completed four or more years of college premedical education, four or more years of medical school, one year of internship and three or more years of specialized medical and surgical training and experience in eye care. The ophthalmologist is a physician who is qualified by lengthy medical education, training and experience to diagnose, treat and manage all eye and visual system problems, and is licensed by a state regulatory board to practice medicine and surgery. The ophthalmologist is the medically trained specialist who can deliver total eye care: primary, secondary and tertiary care services (i.e., vision services, contact lenses, eye examinations, medical eye care and surgical eye care) and diagnose general diseases of the body.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology
Doctors of optometry (optometrists) are independent primary health care providers who specialize in the examination, diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures, as well as the diagnosis of related systemic conditions. The optometrist has completed pre-professional education at a college or university, four at a college of optometry and, in some cases, a residency.
Doctors of optometry are specifically trained and state licensed to provide primary eye care services. These services include comprehensive eye health and vision examinations; diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and vision disorders; the prescribing of glasses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, drugs and medications; and the counseling of patients regarding their vision needs as related to their occupation, avocations and lifestyles.
Source: American Optometry Association
Opticians are professionals in the field of designing, finishing, fitting and dispensing of eyeglasses and contact lenses, based on an eye doctor's prescription. The optician may also dispense colored and specialty lenses for particular needs as well as low-vision aids and artificial eyes.
Source: Opticians Association of America
A certified ophthalmic registered nurse is a registered nurse who has a specialized body of knowledge, skills and experience. Ophthalmic nurses perform ophthalmic examinations, patient assessments based on human responses to ophthalmic diseases, triage, teach patients about their ophthalmic conditions and prevention, assist in eye surgeries and provide emotional support to patients and their families. Ophthalmic registered nurses work in operating rooms, ambulatory clinics, private offices and hospitals. The goal of ophthalmic nursing is to assist patients in preserving and maximizing the vision that they have, prevent disabling eye disease through education, promote independence and enhance the patient's quality of life. Eligibility for certification (CRNO) requires two years of practice in ophthalmology before taking the written examination.
Source: American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses
The orthoptist, an allied health professional in ophthalmology, works in an adjunctive capacity with an ophthalmologist in the diagnostic and therapeutic assessment of children and adults with strabismus, amblyopia, diplopia and disturbances of binocular function. Expert in the visual assessment of nonverbal patients and in the performance of diagnostic tests used to evaluate visual function, the orthoptist may also be skilled in refraction, visual field testing, electrophysiologic testing, contact lens evaluation and low vision assessment.
Source: American Association of Certified Orthoptists
These individuals, such as ophthalmic assistants, ophthalmic technicians and ophthalmic medical technologists, are qualified to assist the ophthalmologists in a variety of procedures, from history taking and basic tonometry to visual field testing and ophthalmic photography, depending on the level of certification. Certification in the subspecialty areas of ophthalmic surgical assisting and assisting in low vision are also available. The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology is the certifying agency.
Source: Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology
