When an individual is seeking eye care or a major cosmetic surgery procedure such as eyelid lift, it is crucial for them to understand the difference between the two.
Dr. Jennifer Hui is a renowned oculoplastic surgeon and ophthalmologist providing her patients with cutting-edge eyelid lift surgery.
Optometrist
Traditionally, optometrists were trained to detect and treat specific vision conditions and prescribe and fit prescription eyeglass lenses and contact lenses. An important part of an optometrist’s job was vision correction exams or ‘refractions,’ and that is still the case.
But today optometrists receive training more extensively in eye condition diagnosis and treatment. Optometry training has become more medically focused now.
Other than optics and refractions, the detection and treatment of eye diseases and other systemic eye health conditions form a part of their training now.
Optometrists are not MDs, but a majority of them can prescribe specific medicines. They can also diagnose and treat eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal disease, macular degeneration, and specific ocular disorders.
It is important to note that not all optometrists receive training in these areas, especially if they graduated before 2000.
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is an M.D. or medical doctor who specializes in eye care. There are some significant differences between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist.
While an ophthalmologist is trained to undertake eye surgery, an optometrist is not. An ophthalmologist can perform surgeries for cataract removal, Lasik vision correction, or procedures related to eye trauma, burns, or retinal detachments.
Dr. Hui has extensive training and experience in eye surgery and offers cutting-edge eye care procedures to her patients.
An ophthalmologist undergoes specialized training in diagnosing and treating complex medical eye diseases. At times, they may work alongside an optometrist to treat and manage eye conditions.
In comparison to an optometrist, an ophthalmologist is authorized to prescribe a more extensive range of prescription drugs.
Education and Training
To acquire their doctorate degree, an ophthalmologist will need to pursue at least four or more years of pre-med undergraduate education, four years of med school, and one year of internship. Upon becoming a licensed doctor, they will receive at least three or more years of residency, with surgical and medical training in eye care.
Services
An ophthalmologist may leave routine vision correction services such as refraction, eye exams, and lens prescription to an optometrist, but they are fully trained to offer these services. Their primary focus is typically on eye surgery procedure, which necessitates advanced training and specialization.
It is not uncommon for an ophthalmologist and an optometrist to work in the same practice and offer treatment to the same patient in alignment with one another.
If you are looking for more information about cosmetic eyelid surgery and non-surgical eyelid treatments and procedures performed by Oculoplastic Eyelid Surgeon Dr. Jennifer Hui and live in or around Palm Springs, La Quinta, Coachella Valley, Palm Desert, Riverside, Redlands, Yucaipa, Loma Linda California, Rancho Mirage call 760 610 2677 or click here to contact us.
