Eye care is an extensive field encompassing a variety of medical and aesthetic treatments. While some patients may need to see an eye surgeon for eye-related medical concerns, some others may only require cosmetic enhancement of the areas around the eyes. Ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians all play a key role in providing complete eye care.
Dr. Jennifer Hui is an experienced oculoplastic surgeon and board certified ophthalmologist providing various medical and cosmetic surgery procedures related to the eyes. Dr. Hui provides these procedures to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Coachella Valley, and surrounding locations.
Eye Care Providers
Eye and vision care can be provided by three types of eye care providers. Patients should understand the difference between the expertise and training of different providers in order to make the right choices.
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist — Eye M.D. — is an osteopathic or medical doctor with expertise in the area of eye and vision. The level of training of an ophthalmologist will be different from that of an optician or an optometrist. Ophthalmologist would have completed college with a minimum of eight years of additional medical training. They have the license to practice medicine as well as eye surgery.
All types of eye diseases can be diagnosed and treated by an ophthalmologist. They can also prescribe and fit eye glasses and contact lenses to treat vision issues. Some of them may also be engaged in scientific research related to the causes and cures of vision disorders and other eye diseases. Dr. Hui is a leading ophthalmologist and eye surgeon providing eyelid surgery and other procedures to patients in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Coachella Valley, and nearby areas.
Optometrist
An optometrist is a medical professional equipped to provide primary vision care. While optometrists are not medical doctors, they are trained in areas such as sight testing and correction as well as diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes. They receive a doctorate in optometry following completion of four years in optometry school.
Optometrists have the license to practice optometry, which mainly includes performing vision tests and eye exams, prescribing and dispensing vision correction glasses, diagnosing specific eye abnormalities, and prescribing drugs or treatments for certain eye diseases.
Optician
An optician is a technician who has received the training to design, verify and fit eye glass lenses and frames, contact lenses, and other devices designed to correct the vision. An optician will use the prescriptions given by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. But they are not authorized to write prescriptions for vision correction or test vision. Opticians also do not have the permission to diagnose or treat eye diseases.
Seeking Timely Eye Care
It is important to see the right eye care professional at the right time in order to achieve the best outcomes. Eyesight can be affected by disease, heredity factors, or excessive strain on the eyes. By the age of 40, everyone should see an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive medical eye exam, and then as regularly as prescribed by the ophthalmologist.
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.
