Vision Insurance Accepted in Frederick

Frederick Maryland Eye Care by Nita Gala O.D. Located inside Sam’s Club Vision Center Call for an appointment Today Sam’s Club Membership NOT required

Professional Services include: eye exams, contact lens fittings, treatment of most eye infections, laser vision correction co-management TLC affiliate Nita Gala, O.D. in Frederick Maryland (located inside Sams Club Vision Center) Accepts the following vision insurance: Spectra United Healthcare Optimum Choice MAMSI M.D. IPA Allianace PPO based upon verification and eligibility

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5604 Buckeystown Pike Frederick Maryland 21703

When Do You Need to Get an Eye Exam?

Frederick Maryland Eye Exams performed by Nita Gala O.D.

Frederick Maryland Eye Care

If you have health problems with associated symptoms such as distorted or blurry vision, yes you should think about seeing a Doctor of Optometry. Even if those issues occur for a short length of time, get an eye exam right away. It’s not worth risking your vision to find out if there is a serious problem.

To paraphrase Jeff Foxworthy;
You MIGHT need an eye exam if:

If you have to squint to be able to see stuff clearly

If stuff you are trying to see seems blurry

If what you’re looking at appears distorted

Sometimes children need their eyes examined to help them in school. There were actually students who could not see the blackboard from where they sat and were too embarrassed to say so. After an eye exam and a fresh pair of glasses, their grades went up considerably.
If your current eye glasses prescription, be it contacts or eye glasses, is not getting the job done and you still have blurry vision and/ or have to squint, you should schedule an eye exam to see if your prescription needs to be altered or see if you have some health issues interfering with your vision

Common Vision Problems in Children

Most kids who need glasses find out pretty quick that vision is a problem, usually in elementary school. The problem is that when you are so young, you have nothing to compare it to. Eye sight often deteriorates so gradually many adults don’t realize they need glasses, let alone children be aware that their vision has been compromised. This is why schools have mandatory eye exams that are held during the school year. If they didn’t, it’s estimated that more than 1-2 of all vision problems in school aged children would go undiagnosed and undetected for years. This could serious affect the education and quality of your child’s life.

Near-sightedness (myopia) is a common childhood vision problem. Being near-sighted means that the child is having a hard time seeing things that are more than a couple of feet in front of them. This makes it difficult to pay attention in school. The opposite vision problem would be far-sightedness (hyperopia). This means you can not clearly see things close to you, or your vision is impaired at all distances.
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is also a common sight problem. The child may be asked to leave school until it clears up, as it is very contagious. It is usually treated with a prescription of antibiotics. A Doctor of Optomtry can prescribe those medications necessary.

Common Vision Problems For Older People

As our bodies age, our eyes will age, and our vision capabilities can decline well. Presbyopia describes the condition where the eye exhibits a progressively diminished ability to focus on near objects with age. From our 40’s and beyond, presbyopia can begin to make it difficult to do tasks like reading a book or a computer screen. Older people often want the monitor screen resolution to be lower rather than higher to help text appear larger. An eye exam can correct this vision problem with prescription eye glasses, or you can go down to the local Walmart or dollar store to pick up a non-prescription pair of reading glasses.

Not all of us can get off that easy. Diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration (AMD) can all severely compromise your vision and could even lead to blindness. These more serious diseases are best dealt with an by eye exam from your optometrist.

Nita Gala Independent Doctor of Optometry
5604 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, Maryland 21704
301 682-7140
301 682-7153
eyecare@frederick.com
Frederick Eye Exams

Frederick Eye Exams offers information, consult a Doctor of Optomertry if you have or think you might have any of these symptoms:

Amblyopia or Lazy Eye causes more visual loss
in the under 40 group than all the
injuries and diseases combined
in this age group.

SUMMARY:

If not detected and treated early in life, amblyopia can cause loss of vision and depth perception.
Recent National Eye Institute research has proven that lazy eye is successfully treated in older children. Research has not yet been done on treatment in adults.
Improvements in vision can be achieved at any age, but early detection and treatment still offer the best outcomes.
Comprehensive vision screenings are needed for infants and pre-school children. An eye exam by a pediatrician or the 20/20 eye chart screening is not adequate for the detection of amblyopia (and other visual conditions related to or mistakenly called lazy eye).
What is Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)?

Causes of Lazy Eye

Detection and Diagnosis of Lazy Eye

Remember you can get Free Vision Screening at Frederick Maryland Eye Exams at 5604 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick, Maryland 21704
Call 301 682-7140 for your Free Appointment Now

Treatment of Lazy Eye

Lazy Eye (Amblyopia) and Crossed Eyes (Strabismus) are not the same condition.

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What is Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)?
Amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, is the eye condition noted by reduced vision not correctable by glasses or contact lenses and is not due to any eye disease. The brain, for some reason, does not fully acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye. This almost always affects only one eye but may manifest with reduction of vision in both eyes. It is estimated that three percent of children under six have some form of amblyopia.

Causes of Lazy Eye
Anything that interferes with clear vision in either eye during the critical period (birth to 6 years of age) can cause amblyopia. The most common causes of amblyopia are constant strabismus (constant turn of one eye), anisometropia (different vision/prescriptions in each eye), and/or blockage of an eye due to cataract, trauma, lid droop, etc.

Amblyopia is a neurologically active process. In other words, the loss of vision takes place in the brain. If one eye sees clearly and the other sees a blur, the brain can inhibit (block, ignore, suppress) the eye with the blur. The brain can also suppress one eye to avoid double vision. The inhibition process (suppression) can result in a permanent decrease in the vision in the blurry eye that can not be corrected with glasses, lenses, or lasik surgery.

Detection and Diagnosis of Lazy Eye
An eye exam by a pediatrician or the 20/20 eye chart screening is not adequate for the detection of amblyopia (and other visual conditions). The most important diagnostic tools are the special visual acuity tests other than the 20/20 letter charts currently used by schools, pediatricians and eye doctors. Examination with cycloplegic drops can be necessary to detect this condition in the young.

Since amblyopia usually occurs in one eye only, many parents and children are unaware of the condition. Many children go undiagnosed until they have their eyes examined at the eye doctor’s office at a later age. Comprehensive vision evaluations are highly recommended for infants and pre-school children.

Treatment of Amblyopia (Lazy Eye)
Treatment involves glasses, drops, vision therapy and/or patching. Recent medical research has proven that amblyopia is successfully treated up to the age of 17. See National Institutes of Health — National Eye Institute; Older Children Can Benefit From Treatment; Lazy Eye.

Treatment of amblyopia after the age of 17 is not dependent upon age but requires more effort including vision therapy. Although improvements are possible at any age with proper treatment, early detection and treatment still offer the best outcome.

To quote Dr. Leonard J. Press, FAAO, FCOVD: “It’s been proven that a motivated adult with strabismus and/or amblyopia who works diligently at vision therapy can obtain meaningful improvement in visual function. As my patients are fond of saying: “I’m not looking for perfection; I’m looking for you to help me make it better”. It’s important that eye doctors don’t make sweeping value judgments for patients. Rather than saying “nothing can be done”, the proper advice would be: “You won’t have as much improvement as you would have had at a younger age; but I’ll refer you to a vision specialist who can help you if you’re motivated.”

Every amblyopic patient deserves an attempt at treatment.

Lazy Eye (Amblyopia) and Crossed Eyes (Strabismus) are not the same condition.
Many people make the mistake of saying that a person who has a crossed or turned eye has a “lazy eye,” but amblyopia and strabismus are not the same condition. Some of the confusion may be due to the fact that an eye turn can cause lazy eye. In other words, amblyopia can result from a constant unilateral strabismus (i.e., an eye that turns or deviates all of the time). Alternating or intermittent strabismus (an eye turn which occurs only some of the time) rarely causes amblyopia.

While a deviating eye (strabismus) can be easily spotted by the layman, amblyopia without strabismus or associated with a small deviation usually can be not noticed by either you or your pediatrician. Only an eye doctor comfortable in examining young children and infants can detect this type of amblyopia. This is why early infant and pre-school eye examinations are so necessary.

Due to misunderstanding or misuse of the terms for different visual conditions (i.e., deviating eyes vs. lazy eye), many people are inaccurately labeled as having a “lazy eye.” If you think you or someone you know has lazy eye, learn more at Constant or Intermittent?, What is Convergence Insufficiency?, What is Double Vision?, What is Strabismus?, Exotropia, Esotropia, and Treatment Options.

Convergence Insufficiency is a fairly common visual condition which is also (1) confused with lazy eye; (2) not easily discernable to the observer and (3) not detected by the standard 20/20 eye test. Convergence Insufficiency is estimated to affect 5 out of 100 children and adults. See What is Convergence Insufficiency?

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References:
Cooper, J, Cooper, R. All About Amblyopia. Optometrists Network, Strabismus. 2001-2005.
Scheiman M, Mitchell GL, Cotter S, et al. the Convergence Insufficiency Treatment Trial (CITT) Study Group. A randomized clinical trial of treatments for convergence insufficiency in children. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2005;123:14-24.
Birnbaum MH, Koslowe K, Sanet R. Success in amblyopia therapy as a function of age: a literature review. Am J Optom Phys Optometry 1977; 54:269-275.
Cotter S. Conventional therapy for amblyopia. Problems in Optometry, RP Rutstein (ed), 3(2): 312, 1991.
Garcia RP. Efficacy of vision therapy in amblyopia: a literature review. Am J Optom Phys Opt 1987; 64:393-404.
Wick B, Wingard M, Cotter S, Scheiman M. Anisometropic amblyopia: is the patient ever too old to treat?, Optom Vis Sci. 1992 Nov;69(11):866-78.

Frederick Maryland Eye Care by Nita Gala O.D.

Located inside Sam’s Club Vision Center

Call for an appointment Today Sam’s Club Membership NOT required

Nita Gala, O.D. in Frederick Maryland (located inside Sams Club Vision Center)

Optometrists in Maryland (MD Optometry)
Maryland Eye Doctors , Find an Optometrist , Maryland Optometrists |
Optometrists in Maryland, Vision and Eye Care (MD Optometry)

Find a Maryland Optometrist right for you.
Optometrists (OD) are health care professionals who examine, diagnose, and treat diseases and disorders of the eye. In MD there are 619* or more actively practicing. Regular responsibilities of an Optometrist include:

Performing eye exams for vision and health problems
Prescribing and fitting corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses
Prescribing eye medications

Eye conditions Optometrists commonly treat:
Myopia
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is an eye condition that inhibits clear vision from far away. About 1,400,097* people will visit Optometrists for vision obstructed by myopia. By 2020, it is estimated that there will be 2.5 billion people in the world, and approximately 2,120,644* in Maryland with nearsightedness. Myopia can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or Refractive surgery.

Hyperopia
Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is the opposite of myopia, patients have difficulty seeing up close, but clear vision far away. There are approximately 1,232,085* cases of people having hyperopia in Maryland. Over half the people with farsightedness are above the age 65. Hyperopia, like myopia, is most frequently treated with corrective lenses or refractive surgery.

Presbyopia
Presbyopia is the natural loss of your eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects. This is an age related condition, usually developing after age 40. 1 in 11, about 616,043* people in Maryland now have their vision compromised by presbyopia. Difficulty reading is the most common early warning sign used to detect presbyopia. Text seems to have less contrast and must be well lit, and held further away to see clearly. There are about 590 million presbyopes in the world, which equals about 500,472* in Maryland. By 2020, it’s estimated to rise to 848,258* in MD and 1 billion in the World.

Astigmatism
Astigmatism causes blurry vision due to an irregular shaped cornea. The normal shape of the cornea is round, but astigmatism occurs when it’s shaped more like an oval or a football. With an irregular shaped cornea, light enters the eye and focuses at 2 points instead of one. Over 45 Million Americans have astigmatism. About 844,437* patients in MD see Optometrists for problems with astigmatism. The most common treatment is with special prescription Toric lenses, that bend light along two axis. Another treatment option is refractive surgery which corrects the shape of the cornea.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises. This damage results in gradual visual changes and eventually loss of vision. In the US, more than 2 million glaucoma related visits are made to Optometrist’s office each year. Another 1.1 million cases go undetected. In Maryland that would equal about 41,443* detected and 20,721* undetected. Most patients with glaucoma require only medication to control the eye pressure. With early treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss.

Amblyopia
Amblyopia is commonly known as lazy eye, a condition affecting approximately 3% of children under 15, about 46,035* in Maryland. This condition develops at an early age and is commonly caused by either one eye having stronger vision than the other, strabismus (cross-eye or wall-eye), or blockage of an eye due to trauma or lid droop. Treatment for amblyopia is done by strengthening the weaker eye with medicated drops or an eye patch. Children age 7-17 are likely to benefit most from the treatment, with a much lower success rate in adults.

Strabismus
Strabismus, also known as cross-eyed or wall-eyed, is a disorder that causes one eye to be misaligned with the other when focusing. Due to a lack of coordination, the eyes look in different directions and do not focus at the same time on a single point. Approximately 18,747* visits are made to optometrists in Maryland concerning strabismus. Treatments for strabismus include glasses, medication, eye exercises, or surgery if non surgical means are unsuccessful. When left untreated, 30-50% of children with strabismus develop secondary vision loss in the form of lazy eye.

* This data has been compiled from multiple government and commercial sources. Figures shown for Maryland Optometrist and Optometry are estimates based upon general statistical analysis and averages amongst the American population.

Optometrist Training
In the United States, in order to become an Optometrist, one must complete four years of college, and a 4-year program at an accredited optometry school. Applicants for an Optometry license must have a Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited optometry school and must pass both a written National Board examination and clinical board examination. All States require that optometrists be licensed, and many also require applicants to pass an examination on relevant State laws. 17 colleges in the US offer programs accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association.

Disclaimer – Frederickoptomertrist.wordpress.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site. This data has been compiled from multiple government and commercial sources. Figures shown for Maryland Optometrist and Optometry are based upon general statistic analysis and averages amongst the American population.

Choosing The Perfect Eyeglasses Frederick MD

below is an informative article on opticians (which are NOT optometrists, many people confuse the two)
Brought to you by Frederick Eye Exams by Nita Gala O.D.

Choosing the perfect eyeglasses is very important for a number of reasons. First of all, the frame must fit your face properly. Everyone’s face is different in shape and size, so the eyeglasses have to cover the eyes properly. Here you will find out things you should know before buying eyeglasses in Frederick.

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Choosing The Perfect Eyeglasses Frederick MD
Choosing the perfect eyeglasses is very important for a number of reasons. First of all, the frame must fit your face properly. Everyone’s face is different in shape and size, so the eyeglasses have to cover the eyes properly. Here you will find out things you should know before buying eyeglasses in Frederick.

Choosing the perfect eyeglasses is very important for a number of reasons. First of all, the frame must fit your face properly. Everyone’s face is different in shape and size, so the eyeglasses have to cover the eyes properly. If not, a person’s eyesight can be compromised. The lenses do not fit around the eyes in the best way they can. Second, the eyeglasses do not look right if their color and their shape are not correct, making them look odd on a person’s face.

Another reason to have eyeglasses that are perfect is because glasses are not really so dreadful to wear nowadays. They have become smaller, but individuals do adapt to their small size in a short period of time. Glasses are seen as a way to make a person look intelligent and have actually become a fashion statement in many sectors.

How to choose the perfect eyeglasses

Choosing eyeglasses is not something to make a rash decision on. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect eyeglasses:

Look at the features of your face Glasses accentuate certain features, so you don’t want to accentuate the wrong ones. If you have nice features that are not very loud, then you can choose eyeglasses that will bring out those features. If you have features you want to make a little more subtle, then your glasses should only bring out those things that you want them to bring out.

Pay attention to your colors Individuals have different hair color, eye color, and skin color. It is important that the glasses go with your coloring. If you have red hair and freckles, you may not want to invest in bright red glasses. Those with dark skin should go with a lighter pair of glasses. Those with lighter skin should go a bit darker. Think of it as a scale from lightest to darkest and then classify the colors of glasses in the same way while examining the glasses that you like.

Branded vs. unbranded It is true that branded eyeglasses are of a better quality. As for what brand you buy is going to depend on how much money is in your wallet. Don’t buy a pair of eyeglasses just because they are a brand. Make sure that you’re buying a pair of glasses that looks good on your face.

Selecting the lenses Selecting the lenses can actually be difficult. This is because there are many options when it comes to lenses. Those options include: the option to have thick lenses thinned out, anti glare coatings, tinting, and so much more. The establishment you’re buying from will review all of your options with you. However, only purchase those options that you feel you need because the lenses can become more expensive than the glasses if too many unnecessary options are chosen.

These are the most common and most important things to consider when choosing your glasses. In terms of having lenses thinned out, this can be very important in your decision as to what frame to choose. This is because the thickness of a lens can severely compromise the appearance of the frame. If you have a high prescription that result in very thick lenses, this is an option you may want to consider in order to make your glasses look better on your face.

Be careful

Being that many individuals are committed to wearing the same pair of glasses for a year to two years, it is important to be careful about what frame is chosen. Make sure no rash decisions are made, that you’re not heavily influenced by the person who is selling you the frames unless seeking their opinion about styling, and that the glasses fit.

What IS the difference between an Optometrist and an Optician?

Wikianswers says this:

Optometrists examine people’s eyes to diagnose vision problems, eye diseases, and other conditions.

The optician makes and fits glasses according to the optometrist’s prescription

From Yahoo answers:

an optitian is a person who can give somebody glasses or contact lenses. an optometrist is the person that gives you the test and they assess your eyes, they can give you lasses and contacts too though.

an optometrist has a three year doctrate, but they are not a fully licensed phsyician like someone with an MD or a DO. They are not allowed to do surgery and are limited in their practice. They do eye exams and can prescribe corrective lenses.
Opticians just fit people for glasses, they don’t do any exams.

And USAeyes.org says:

Optometrist

Doctors of optometry are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions.

They examine the internal and external structure of the eyes to diagnose eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disorders; systemic diseases like hypertension and diabetes; and vision conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Optometrists also do testing to determine the patient’s ability to focus and coordinate the eyes, and to judge depth and see colors accurately.

They prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, low vision aids, vision therapy and medicines to treat eye diseases.

As primary eye care providers, optometrists are an integral part of the health care team and an entry point into the health care system. They are skilled in the co-management of care that affects the eye health and vision of their patients and an excellent source of referral to other health care professionals.

Optician

Opticians adjust and fit optical products such as glasses. Some employers hire individuals with no background in opticianry. Training may be informal, on-the-job or formal apprenticeship. Others seek people with college level training in opticianry.

Formal opticianry training is offered in community colleges and a few colleges and universities. In 1993, there were about 40 programs. Of these, 23 were accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation and awarded 2-year associate degrees in ophthalmic dispensing or optometric technology. There are also shorter programs, including some less than 1 year. Some states that license dispensing opticians allow graduates to take the licensure exam immediately upon graduation; others require a few months to a year of experience.

Dispensing opticians may also gain credentials through voluntary certification or registration by the American Board of Opticianry and by the National Contact Lens Examiners. Certification must be renewed every 3 years through continuing education.

Optometrists do much more than prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. Optometrists provide primary eye care as well as unique vision care services, such as vision therapy, visual rehabilitation, non-surgical solutions, surgical consultations, and preventative care.

Optometrists help many patients with challenging visual problems. Explore our network to learn about optometric care, such as vision therapy or visual rehabilitation for special needs, lazy eye, crossed eyes, learning related vision problems, computer vision syndrome, head trauma, and much much more

An O.D., which is a Doctor of Optometry are independent primary health care providers who specialize in the examination, diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures.

Optometrists are uniquely qualified to deal with functional vision disorders and/or problems in visual processing which affect reading, computer use, and other aspects of learning, development and behavior. They also work with the visual rehabilitation of people with head trauma, brain injuries, etc.

Optometrists in Maryland, Vision and Eye Care (MD Optometry)

Optometrists (OD) are health care professionals who examine, diagnose, and treat diseases and disorders of the eye. In Maryland there are 619 or more actively practicing. Regular responsibilities of an Optometrist include:

Performing eye exams for vision and health problems

Prescribing and fitting corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses

Prescribing eye medications

Call 301 682-7140 for an Eye Exam Now

Nita Gala, O.D. in Frederick Maryland (located inside Sams Club Vision Center)

Accepts the following vision insurance:

Spectra

United Healthcare

Optimum Choice

MAMSI

M.D. IPA

Allianace PPO

based upon verification and eligibility

Professional Services Include:

Comprehensive eye exams

Contact lens fitting (bifocal, toric, monovision, specialty)

Treatment of most eye infections via pharmacy prescription medications

Laser Vision correction co-management (TLC affiliate)

Call 301 682-7140 for an Eye Exam Now

Optometrist vs Ophthalmologist, Do You Know The Difference?

An Optometrist is a health care professional who is licensed to provide primary eye care services:

• to examine and diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal diseases and, in certain states in the U.S., to treat them;

• to diagnose related systemic (bodywide) conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that may affect the eyes;
• to examine, diagnose and treat visual conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia; and
• to prescribe glasses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation and medications as well as perform minor surgical procedures such as the removal of foreign bodies.

An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry, an O.D. (not to be confused with a Doctor of Medicine, an M.D.). To become an optometrist, one must complete pre-professional undergraduate college education followed by 4 years of professional education in a college of optometry. Some optometrists also do a residency.

An Ophthalmologist is an eye M.D., a medical doctor who is specialized in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are trained to provide the full spectrum of eye care, from prescribing glasses and contact lenses to complex and delicate eye surgery. They may also be involved in eye research.

After 4 years of medical school and a year of internship, every ophthalmologist spends a minimum of 3 years of residency (hospital-based training) in ophthalmology. During residency, the eye M.D. receives special training in all aspects of eye care, including prevention, diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of eye conditions and diseases. An ophthalmologist may spend an additional year or two in training in a subspecialty, that is, a specific area of eye care such as:

• Cornea and External Disease: The diagnosis and management of diseases of the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva and eyelids, including corneal dystrophies, microbial infections, conjunctival and corneal tumors, inflammatory processes and anterior ocular manifestations of systemic diseases. Training frequently includes corneal transplant surgery and corneal surgery to correct refractive errors.

• Glaucoma: The treatment of glaucoma and other disorders that may cause optic nerve damage by increasing intraocular pressure. This involves the medical and surgical treatment of both pediatric and adult patients.
• Neuro-ophthalmology: The relationship between neurologic and ophthalmic diseases, neuro-ophthalmology also deals with local pathology affecting the optic nerve and visual pathways. Over 50% of all intracranial lesions involve the visual or oculomotor pathways.
• Ophthalmic Pathology: Training in both ophthalmology and pathology. Because of the unique combination of skills involved in this subspecialty, it is usually the ophthalmic pathologist, rather than the general pathologist, who examines tissue specimens from the eye and adnexa (related structures).
• Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery: Includes orbital surgery, lid and upper facial reconstructive procedures following trauma and tumors and cosmetic lid surgery. Oculoplastic surgeons combine ophthalmic surgery with plastic surgery and are trained in the use of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and chemosurgery to treat ocular and orbital disease.
• Pediatric Ophthalmology: The medical and surgical management of strabismus, amblyopia, genetic and developmental abnormalities and a wide range of inflammatory, traumatic and neoplastic conditions occurring in the first two decades of life.

Source: Medicine.net

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Optician vs. Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist

A patient that requires contact lenses or glasses will seek the help of an optician. An optician fills lens prescriptions for contact lenses and glasses, written by the optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Opticians are not responsible, nor trained, for eye examinations or treatment solutions for eye disorders. They help you pick our your frames and adjust them to fit comfortably.

Optometrists are doctors who perform annual examinations to treat any vision problems and detect signs of disease and abnormal conditions. Examinations may also include testing for glaucoma, color perception, depth, and the ability to focus and coordinate the eyes. Optometrists must be licensed, have a Doctor of Optometry degree, and pass a state board examination.

Ophthalmologists must acquire a Doctor of Medicine degree, a broad knowledge of general medicine, and clinical training. If a person requires medical or surgical care for an eye disease or an eye injury, he or she will seek the assistance of an ophthalmologist. Your refractive laser surgeon MUST be an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists must acquire a Doctor of Medicine degree, a broad knowledge of general medicine, and clinical training. This provides them with enough experience to diagnose and treat all types of eye disorders.

Ophthalmologists are the only eye care professionals certified to perform surgery on the eye. A subspecialist has undergone additional years of medical training exclusively in their chosen area of expertise, for example, retinal diseases, glaucoma, cornea or pediatrics.

Source: Laser Surgury For Eyes

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Optometry

The term “optometry” comes from the Greek word optos, meaning eye or vision, and metria, meaning measurement.

The eye, including its structure and mechanism, has fascinated scientists and the public in general since ancient times. Many of the expressions in the English language that mean to understand are equivalent vision terms. “I see”, to mean I understand.

Many patients when told that they may have an eye problem will be more concerned about diseases that affect vision than other, more lethal diseases. Being deprived of sight can have a devastating effect on the psyche, as well as economic and social effects, as many blind individuals require significant assistance with activities of daily living and are often unable to continue gainful employment previously held while seeing[citation needed].

The maintenance of ocular health and correction of eye problems that decrease vision contribute greatly to the ability to appreciate the longer lifespan that all of medicine continues to allow. Given the importance of vision to quality of life, many optometrists consider their job to be rewarding, as they are often able to restore or improve a patient’s sight.

Behavioural optometry is a related area of non-strabismus vision therapy that some optometrists practice. Generally Ophthalmologists and Orthoptists do not practice this.

In the United States, optometrist have tried to obtain from state legislatures, the right to treat more eye conditions and to perform certain laser surgeries. Optometrists have been successful in getting the right to use some types of medication, depending on if the medication is given as pills, eye drops, or injections. In Oklahoma, optometrists are allowed by the state legislature to do certain kinds of surgery.

Optometry is a health care profession concerned with eyes and related structures, as well as vision, visual systems, and vision information processing in humans.

Like most health professions, optometry education, certification, and practice is regulated in most countries. Optometrists and optometry-related organizations interact with governmental agencies, other health care professionals, and the community to deliver eye and vision care. Optometry is one of three eye care professions, the others being Ophthalmology (which is a branch of medicine) and Orthoptics (a sub-specialty of ophthalmology primarily dealing with strabismus).

source wikipedia

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