What’s The Difference In Eye Doctors?

What is the Difference in Eye Doctors? (Who Should I See?)

There is a wide variety of eye care professionals providing outstanding services to the great citizens of Irving and Las Colinas. Understanding the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and an optician will help you choose the best team to address your specific needs. Even within each of these specialties are sub-specialist that focus on different aspects of the eye, so we know how confusing this can get.

Ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor, MD or DO that has chosen to specialize in the treatment of the eye, the same way a neurosurgeon chooses to concentrates on the brain and a cardiologist studies the heart. The educational requirements to become an ophthalmologist are quite extensive. After completing a baccalaureate degree, they must complete four years of medical school focusing on all aspects of medicine. They then spend one year of internship and three years of residency in an ophthalmology residency program with an intense emphasis on the treatment of eye diseases and surgical intervention. Upon completion, many ophthalmologists will start practicing general ophthalmology. Others like Dr. Michael George and Dr. Archana Reddy were selected for an additional, one-year surgical fellowship in corneal and refractive surgery. The additional training leaves them uniquely prepared to achieve optimal results when performing certain eye surgeries including LASIK and cataract surgery. Much like Dr. George and Dr. Reddy concentrate specifically on cataract and refractive surgery, other eye doctors focus on other parts of the eye including oculoplastic, retina specialist, glaucoma specialist, neuro-ophthalmologist, ocular oncology, and pediatrics.

Optometrists

Doctors of Optometry are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage disorders of the visual systems and diseases of the eye and associated structures. The scope of optometric care ranges from vision testing and correction to managing complex eye and vision problems and diagnosing the presence of systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. An optometrist must successfully complete four academic years and two summer terms comprising 177 semester credit hours of study to successfully complete the program.  (https://www.opt.uh.edu/future-students-residents/programs/doctor-of-optometry/)

At one time, optometrists were considered the eye doctors that simply measured for and prescribed eyeglasses and contact lenses. They typically had optical dispensaries in their office and aided the optician in providing you high-quality eyewear. More recently, most optometrists practice the full scope of eye care; some work in conjunction with ophthalmologists in their medical practice while others operate in private practice. Dr. Sanchez and Dr. Hayes provide exceptional medical management and support to both of our ophthalmologists. Our optometrists are highly educated and extremely qualified to address any of your eye care needs. Opticians are the eye care professionals that assist you in making and fitting your spectacles. They are highly trained and specialized to understand optics to ensure a proper fit to optimize your vision through glasses. Many opticians receive their training through and Associates Degree program or on the job training and certification process.

No matter your eye care needs, Tylock-George Eye Care can help. All of our eye doctors provide outstanding medical care, which can be billed to your medical insurance. We offer the latest and greatest technology in refractive surgery (Contoura Vision LASIK, PRK, ICL) and we can help you get out of glasses for good using one of our Advanced Technology Intraocular Lenses for cataract surgery. Call Today and See Better Tomorrow!