Difference Between Ophthalmology and Optometry

Ophthalmology is the medical specialty that pertains to eye structure, eye diseases, and its treatment. Optometry is the study that involves everything about vision including identifying, diagnosing, and treating visual problems.

What is Ophthalmology?

Definition:

Ophthalmology is the medical specialty that pertains to eye structure, eye diseases, and its treatment. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has done postgraduation in ophthalmology. All eye diseases that are beyond the scope of optometry are treated by an ophthalmologist.

Job description:

Complex eye conditions are treated by ophthalmologists and they are the specialists who are licensed to carry out surgeries involving eyes. They can manage eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, refractive errors, and traumatic eye injuries.

Specializations of Ophthalmology:

Different fields of ophthalmology include corneal experts, glaucoma ophthalmologists, Neuro ophthalmologists, pediatric ophthalmologists, retinal specialists, and refractive surgeons.

Eye problems addressed:

Misaligned eyes as in strabismus and amblyopia are corrected by surgery by ophthalmologists. Ophthalmologists specialize in treating serious eye conditions like cataracts and glaucoma. Refractive error surgery is carried out by ophthalmologists. Also, all forms of trauma to the eye like superficial corneal injuries, blunt trauma, and chemical injuries are treated by ophthalmologists.

What is Optometry?

Definition:

Optometry is the study that involves everything about vision including identifying, diagnosing, and treating visual problems. An optometrist is the first eye care provider who receives someone with a visual problem.

Job description:

An optometrist is a skilled person for providing eye care services. Their job involves carrying out extensive eye tests, detecting visual issues, and prescribing eyewear like contact lenses and eyesight glasses which are modified according to the patient’s visual impairment. In case the problem is due to a medical condition an optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Specializations of optometry:

Specializations of optometry include sports vision optometry, pediatric optometry, low vision optometry, and vision therapy optometry. Sports vision optometry manages sportsmen with problems in depth tracking and visual acuity. Pediatric optometry specializes in childhood visual impairment. Vision therapy optometry deals with amblyopia and squints.

Eye problems addressed:

An optometrist can identify refractive errors like myopia and hyperopia. They can detect binocular visual defects like amblyopia or strabismus. Some eye infections can be treated by an optometrist.

Difference Between Ophthalmology and Optometry

Definition:

Ophthalmology is the medical specialty that pertains to eye structure, eye diseases, and its treatment. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has done postgraduation in ophthalmology. All eye diseases that are beyond the scope of optometry are treated by an ophthalmologist. Optometry is the study that involves everything about vision including identifying, diagnosing, and treating visual problems. An optometrist is the first eye care provider who receives someone with a visual problem.

Job description:

Complex eye conditions are treated by ophthalmologists, and they are the specialists who are licensed to carry out surgeries involving eyes. They can manage eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, refractive errors, and traumatic eye injuries.

An optometrist is a skilled person for providing eye care services. Their job involves carrying out extensive eye tests, detecting visual issues, and prescribing eyewear like contact lenses and eyesight glasses which are modified according to the patient’s visual impairment. In case the problem is due to a medical condition an optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Specializations:

Different fields of ophthalmology include corneal experts, glaucoma ophthalmologists, Neuro ophthalmologists, pediatric ophthalmologists, retinal specialists, and refractive surgeons. Specializations of optometry include sports vision optometry, pediatric optometry, low vision optometry, and vision therapy optometry. Sports vision optometry manages sportsmen with problems in depth tracking and visual acuity. Pediatric optometry specializes in childhood visual impairment. Vision therapy optometry deals with amblyopia and squints.

Eye problems addressed:

Misaligned eyes as in strabismus and amblyopia are corrected by surgery by ophthalmologists. Ophthalmologists specialize in treating serious eye conditions like cataracts and glaucoma. Refractive error surgery is carried out by ophthalmologists. Also, all forms of trauma to the eye like superficial corneal injuries, blunt trauma, and chemical injuries are treated by ophthalmologists.

An optometrist can identify refractive errors like myopia and hyperopia. They can detect binocular visual defects like amblyopia or strabismus. Some eye infections can be treated by an optometrist.

Table of differences Between Ophthalmology and Optometry

FAQs

What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist in Canada?

An optometrist is not a medical doctor, but he specializes in detecting visual problems and providing aid for that. An ophthalmologist is a doctor who has acquired postgraduate experience in eye diseases.

Which doctor is best for eyesight?

An ophthalmologist is best for the evaluation of eyesight problems.

What is the role of optometry?

Optometry is the study that involves everything about vision including identifying, diagnosing, and treating visual problems.

Can an optometrist diagnose glaucoma?

Yes, but additional tests are needed to diagnose glaucoma.

What is the highest eye doctor called?

An ophthalmologist.

Can opticians treat eye problems?

No.

What are the 4 most common eye problems?

Cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy are four common eye problems.

Can opticians see retinal damage?

No. An ophthalmologist is going to assess that.

Can an optometrist diagnose blurry vision?

Yes, visual field tests and perimetry will diagnose blurry vision.

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