In the field of eye doctors, the two biggest types of doctors are optometrists and ophthalmologists. You’re picking a new eye doctor, but you don’t know which type you need. Here is some advice to help you choose between an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
Optometrist
An optometrist performs basic tests on your eyes to evaluate their overall health. If you need corrective lenses or drops for dry eyes, an optometrist can provide you with those basic prescriptions. An optometrist is a touchpoint for basic eye health but can notice problems that lead to further diagnoses.
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist in Temecula, CA or another city can do everything an optometrist can. An ophthalmologist can also test and diagnose more serious issues, such as macular degeneration. Ophthalmologists also perform surgery on the eyes. They can perform Lasik, cataracts replacement, or any other necessary surgery.
Primary Care
You can use either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist as your primary care eye doctor. However, if an optometrist notices a sign pointing towards a more serious issue, they have to refer you to an ophthalmologist for further care.
Know Your Eyes
You know your eyes and your history. If you have a family history of serious eye conditions or you have particularly difficult eyes, you might want to choose an ophthalmologist for your primary care. That way, one doctor can do everything you need for your eyes, which eliminates the need for doctors to share records and piece together a history.
If there’s nothing particular wrong with your eyes or your family history, you’re fine with an optometrist. If something does come up, you can be referred without a problem, but you can pay cheaper rates for care in the meantime.
Choosing the right type of doctor for yourself is an important step in your care. You could find a fantastic doctor that you love in the right location with great reviews, but that means nothing if they’re not the right type of doctor. Optometrist or ophthalmologists, put yourself in good hands for the best optical health.
If you need an ophthalmologist in Temecula CA, contact Temecula Eye Center Optometry. You can also follow them on Facebook for more updates.
