Eye Doctor

Both ophthalmologists and optometrists are trained medical professionals who are an important part of your eyecare health. However, what is the difference between the two and when should you see an ophthalmologist vs an optometrist? In short, an optometrist can provide many of the same services and diagnostic capabilities as an ophthalmologist with the notable exception of surgical solutions.

Here we will look at the differences between an ophthalmologist and optometrist and which is best for your eyecare needs.

What is the Difference Between an Ophthalmologist and Optometrist?

While both ophthalmologists and optometrists are doctors, an optometrist is a doctor of optometry and an ophthalmologist is a medical doctor.  An ophthalmologist will earn their surgical experience through four years of medical school followed by four years of residency at a medical facility.

An optometrist, instead of attending medical school, will attend optometry school for four years followed by one year of residency. During residency optometrists will participate in extensive clinical training.  With this experience, they can treat and diagnose a wide range of eye conditions, prescribe prescription lenses, and give eye exams.

However, they will not be able to perform eye surgery. In some provinces, an optometrist may be restricted from treating certain eye conditions, but they are generally able to diagnose and give you a referral to the correct medical professional even if they cannot provide the treatment itself.

What Can an Optometrist and Opthamologist Do?

Optometrists: Optometrists are often your first line of defense not only for your eye health but your total health. This is because a thorough eye exam can reveal signs of many other medical conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, and even certain cancers. An optometrist’s exam will frequently reveal signs of these conditions before you start experiencing symptoms, making this exam critical to early detection and successful treatment.

Other optometrist services include:

Assist With Pre and Post Operative Care: While an ophthalmologist will be the one to perform an eye surgery, an optometrist is often a more convenient choice to provide pre and post op care. Optometrists are fully equipped to provide this care and getting an optometrist appointment is typically easier because they will not have days blocked out for surgery.

Write Eyewear Prescriptions: If you are a long time glasses wearer you likely go to an optician to get your glasses fitted. However only an optometrist or ophthalmologist is able to write the initial prescription.

Eye Exam: More than a simple vision test, an exam allows your optometrist to observe the structure of your eye. This will allow them to see any abnormalities or inflammation that could indicate certain conditions.

Treat Eye Trauma: Eye trauma that does not require surgery can be treated by an optometrist. This includes treating scratches and removing foreign objects from the eye.

Provide Proper Referrals: Though an optometrist is able to treat a wide range of conditions, there are certain medical needs they can not see to. For example, your optometrist may suspect you have a tumor and can refer you to an ophthalmologist, oncologist, or another specialist.

Eye Exam: As mentioned above, this exam focuses on the structure of the eye in order to give clues about your total health. Your doctor will visually look at your eyes and also administer tests to identify any issues. This is often a critical first step to diagnosing various conditions and also getting a baseline for your eye health.

Ophthalmologists: Ophthalmologists can perform all of the services and treatments that an optometrist can along with providing surgical solutions. This includes laser eye surgery, a popular option for those who do not want to or cannot wear glasses or contacts.

When to See an Opthamologist vs an Optometrist?

If you are experiencing any kind of vision issues such as blurriness, a “veil” over your vision, loss of peripheral vision or any other sudden changes, it is key to see an eye doctor. In these cases, an optometrist or an ophthalmologist are both good choices and the most important factor is getting an appointment quickly.

In some cases, an emergency room visit may be the best option. Specifically, if you are experiencing a major headache, numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or any other signs of stroke you should get emergency medical attention immediately.

However, if your vision issues are not an emergency, here are some guidelines for how to choose between seeing an ophthalmologist vs an optometrist:

Optometrist: Generally, an optometrist visit is a good starting point for establishing the baseline health of your eyes. If you need a routine eye exam, new glasses prescription, or have been experiencing more mild eye issues such as eye fatigue from looking at a screen too long, an optometrist is typically your best option. Not only is an optometrist well qualified to perform an eye exam, they are often easier to get an appointment with compared to a specialist.

Ophthalmologist: An ophthalmologist is also able to perform eye exams, provide prescriptions, and perform all the services that an optometrist can. If you need a general check up or eye exam, an ophthalmologist is perfectly fine to make an appointment with. However, it is often the case that an ophthalmologist is the next step after visiting an optometrist who will be able to tell you if you need surgery or other advanced treatment that they cannot provide.

Conclusion

Generally, if you need an eye exam or other routine check up, both an ophthalmologist and optometrist can provide this service. Choosing between the two will often come down to who you can get an appointment with most quickly and other convenience factors. However, if you have more advanced eye health concerns and surgical needs, an ophthalmologist will be the right doctor for you.

Need help managing your eye health now? BCML offers fast, convenient, and compassionate care for your total health including eye exams. To find the best eye care options for you, contact us today at (416) 929-1900.

Have you seen an eye care professional in the last year? Recent data shows that only about half of all Canadians between the ages of 40 and 64 have had their eyes checked professionally in the past year. Regular eye exams can help to find vision concerns before they become major problems and help you get the proper eyewear you need to see your best.

However, unlike an optometrist who provides primary eye care services like a routine exam, an ophthalmologist is trained in advanced eye care and surgical options. Here we will look at when you should see an ophthalmologist and why regular eye care is good for your total health.

Signs that You Should See an Opthamologist

Canadians’ eye care requirements change throughout life. Typically, if you do not have a vision problem, those under the age of 40 should aim for just one exam every 10 years. Those who are 41 to 55 should receive an exam every 5 years. From 56 to 65, once every three is recommended. Finally, those over 65 should get their eyes checked every two years.

These are general guidelines and they may change depending on your doctor’s recommendation. You may need more or less frequent examinations.  If you experience any of the following, you should make an ophthalmologist appointment as soon as possible:

• Vision Loss: Complete or partial vision loss in one or both eyes is cause for immediate concern and an appointment.
• Blurriness, Streaks or Spots: It is not uncommon to experience small black spots or wavy streaks in your vision on occasion and for brief moments. These can occur for several reasons and are rarely a concern unless they do not go away. However, if your vision gets blurry, you have double vision or streaks of light without explanation, this is cause for concern.  Be aware of a sudden increase of the presence in any of these elements as they can indicate a detached retina.
• Compromised Central or Peripheral Vision: If you notice shadows or a curtain-like effect of darkness over you vision, this can indicate a serious medical concern including issues with your brain
• Visible Changes to the Eye: Any kind of discharge, swelling or redness can be problematic as these can indicate an infection.
• Sudden Crossed Vision or inability to focus your eyes is another concern that requires immediate medical examination. 
• Changes in Colour Perception: If the way you see colours suddenly changes, this can indicate important changes in your eye health for example. This can mean a loss of all or most colour perception or possibly an inverse of colours.

When Not to See an Opthamologist

While opthamologists provide the broadest range of services, some situations are best handled by an optometrist or optician. An optometrist will typically be the best choice for a routine eye exam. They will be able to diagnose your condition and provide treatment options with the exception of surgical solutions.

However, if you simply need new glasses, an optician may be best. Opticians are trained to help you find eyewear that is comfortable and suits your taste. Optician offices are also usually combined with a retail area where you can choose your glasses.

Who is at Elevated Risk of Eye Problems?

Age, certain diseases, ethnicity, and other health conditions can all increase your risk of vision concerns. If any of the following apply to you, you may require more frequent exams.

• Health Conditions: autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and thyroid disease all increase instances of eye problems.
• Genetic Predisposition. Those who have family members with certain eye conditions such as glaucoma may be at an elevated risk as well.
• Ethnicity: Those of African and Hispanic dissent experience higher instances of certain eye conditions.
• Medications: Some medications may increase your risk of certain eye problems. Whenever starting a new medication, consult with your doctor regarding the risks and what you can do to prevent eye damage.

How Can Eye Exams Help Your Total Health?

Early Disease Detection: Early intervention for eye health concerns can help save your vision and potentially even find other diseases. Your eyes can reveal signs of diseases ranging from diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure to some cancers and even multiple sclerosis. Most of these diseases will require additional testing, but the eyes can often reveal these problems even when you are not experiencing other symptoms.

Preventative Care Guidance: Your ophthalmologist can provide guidance on how to care for your eyes better. Changes in exercise, diet and lifestyle can prevent and slow the effects of certain eye diseases.

Detection of Rare and Immediate Health Risks: While “floaters” and spots in your vision may occur on occasion with little concern, an increase in their number combined with flashes of light and other vision impairment can indicate much more serious problems. Retinal detachment is a common cause of this type of vision change. The separation of the retina from the eye is an emergency situation that requires immediate action to prevent vision loss.  Additionally, double vision and certain other vision issues can indicate problems within the brain.

Are Eye Exams Free in Canada?

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan provides a free, yearly eye exam for citizens under 19 and over 65.  These routine exams are typically performed by an optometrist. Exams that are deemed medically necessary are covered for citizens of all ages.

These exams are conducted by an ophthalmologist who is trained to treat more serious eye concerns and provide surgical solutions. If you should receive a diagnosis requiring additional medical care, many services are covered by OHIP and may include help with paying for prescription glasses.

Scheduling an Appointment with an Opthamologist

If you are experiencing any of the above vision changes or conditions, a visit to an ophthalmologist can provide answers and peace of mind. While any changes to vision can feel extremely concerning, many issues have simple fixes and ways to prevent further damage.

Are you ready to maintain or improve your vision? BCML is here to help. Our eye care team provides a wide range of services to diagnose and treat both common and advanced eye conditions. To make an appointment, please contact us at (416) 929-1900.

There are two main categories of eye doctors: opthamologists and optometrists. Opticians are also an important part of eye care but they are not medical doctors and are unable to give eye exams. Each of these professionals have different specialties and levels of training in certain areas. Often you will need more than one of these medical professionals to care for your ocular health.  Here we will look at the difference between each type of eye doctor and when you should visit each.

Ophthalmologist: Advanced Eye Care and Surgery

An ophthalmologist is an eye care professional that treats and diagnoses eye diseases along with providing surgical options for certain conditions. Along with surgical solutions for eye trauma, vision correction, and cataracts, some also provide eye lifts for those with sagging eyelids or wrinkles around the eyes.

Type of Training: An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who will have gone through upwards of 8 years of training including medical school, internship and a residency.

Specialities: An ophthalmologist can treat and diagnose eye diseases including glaucoma, cataracts, various eye trauma and eye conditions caused by other medical problems such as vision loss due to diabetes. An ophthalmologist will also likely have a research role in finding information and treatments for eye concerns. This can sometimes give them more current knowledge and be better able to treat less common eye issues.

When to Visit: An ophthalmologist can be consulted for a wide range of eye issues, but they are the best option for when you need surgical intervention including laser eye treatment. Similarly, if you have a severe eye condition, such as diabetic retinopathy, an ophthalmologist is a better option than an optometrist who may not be able to deliver full treatment or who may not be able to prescribe certain drugs or perform surgery.

Optometrist: Primary Eye Care

An optometrist has many of the same treatment and diagnostic capabilities as an ophthalmologist. They are also medical doctors and can give basic eye exams, provide prescriptions, and advise on treatment. They, however, do not perform surgery.

Type of Training: Similar to ophthalmologists, optometrists  attend four years of medical school. Where they differ, is that an optometrist will only have one year of residency versus four for an ophthalmologist. This training gives an optometrist many of the same abilities as an ophthalmologist with the primary exception of surgery.

Specialities: Optometrists can perform eye exams, make diagnoses and prescribe most medications. However, in some areas. an optometrist may not be able to prescribe certain drugs, especially opioids.

When to Visit: An optometrist is a good choice if you need an eye exam or have any kind of new vision trouble. One area where optometrists are especially adept is in specialty lens fittings. They typically have more expertise in this. If surgical intervention is required, your optometrist will likely refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Optician: Lens and Contacts

An optician, unlike an ophthalmologist or optometrist, is not a medical doctor. Instead, they typically receive a two year degree or sometimes a certificate. This education gives them the expertise to interpret recommendations and diagnoses from other eye care professionals and use this to recommend the right contacts or glasses for you.

Specialities: An optician is unable to give a diagnosis or an eye exam. However, they are experts in recommending contact lenses and glasses. They also expertly measure you to give you the ideal fit for your new glasses.

When to Visit: You will generally see an optician only once you have a glasses or contact prescription from another eye doctor. Anytime you need new glasses or if you find your current glasses or lense are causing you problems, an optician will be able to find you a solution.

Eye Specialists

Within the broad categories of ophthalmologists and optometrists, there are some eye doctors who specialize in particular problems including: pediatric ophthalmology, eye plastic surgery, neurology, retina specialist, glaucoma specialist, cornea specialists.

When to See an Eye Doctor

In many cases, both an optometrist and ophthalmologist can help with an eye problem. Their capabilities are very similar. With the exception of surgery and treatment of certain severe or complex eye problems, an optometrist is likely to be as beneficial as an ophthalmologist.

However, what if you are not sure if it is time to seek out professional eye care? Make an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist if you are experiencing any of the following:

• If you have not seen an eye doctor in more than two years (up to three years for adults up to 39)
• Sudden blurry vision
• Severe and frequent pain (mild pain on occasion is likely not cause for concern)
• If your eye has experienced trauma from a foreign object such as dirt, grit or any kind of chemicals.
• Seeing spots or “floaters” especially if they are accompanied with flashes of light or there appears to be a kind of partial curtain or film over your eye.
• Sensitivity to light
• Double vision
• Poor night vision
• Frequent headaches and eye strain
• Signs of an infection including swollen, itchy eyelids and discoloration of the whites of your eyes.
• If you have been diagnosed with diabetes – diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the eye so regular exams are key to preventing and slowing this progression.
• Any sudden and unexplainable changes to your vision.

Choosing the Right Eye Doctor for You

In many cases, unless you already have a very specific diagnosis, you can choose from both opthamologists and optometrists. Two factors that tend to be important to patient satisfaction are: doctor ratings and doctor availability. Research your doctor and look for high ratings and recommendations from those you trust.  However, if you are experiencing eye problems now, it does you little good to find the highest rated doctor if they do not have appointments available for several months.

At BCML, we aim to  offer eye care that meets your scheduling needs. To learn more and book an appointment, contact us at (416) 929-1900.