All Eye Doctors are Not the Same
When it comes to your eyes, there are several aspects to consider. Many people make the mistake of thinking that their annual vision checkup is sufficient eye care. There is much more to the eyes than how well they focus on objects at various distances. To really know your eye health and be able to protect it as you age, it is necessary to know how eye specialists differ from one another. Here, we look at the optometrist, the ophthalmologist, and the retinal specialist.
What Is an Optometrist?
An optometrist is the eye specialist who examines your vision. This OD, or doctor of optometry, can address refractive conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and presbyopia, among others. An optometrist can also diagnose and treat eye infection and dry eye syndrome. If a potentially serious eye condition is suspected by an optometrist, a referral may be made to an ophthalmologist.
What Is an Ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has extended their medical education another few years beyond four years of medical school to specialize in vision care and diseases of the eye. The extensive training an ophthalmologist completes enables them to diagnose and treat a wide variety of eye diseases, including cataracts and glaucoma, and treat them with medication or surgery.
What is a Retina Specialist?
A retinal specialist is an ophthalmologist who has extended their education another one to two years after a three-year ophthalmology residency. The additional education focuses on conditions and diseases that specifically affect the retina and vitreous, the clear gel that fills the central part of the eye. The retinal specialist typically sees patients that are referred by their general ophthalmologist for confirmation and treatment of some type of retinal injury or disease. Treatment often involves advanced surgical techniques or the latest, proven nonsurgical modalities.
Trust Your Vision to Vitreo Retinal Surgery
Vitreo Retinal Surgery is a recognized retinal specialty practice that is centered around high-quality patient care. Our board-certified ophthalmologists frequently hold leadership positions in professional societies and remain at the forefront of their medical specialty. We consider it an honor to receive referrals from our esteemed colleagues and the trust of local physicians as well as our patients.
Our staff provides friendly, professional care to patients in multiple cities, including St. Cloud, Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, and more. To locate an office near you, call (855) 515-2020.