Understanding the Different Roles in Your Eye Care

If you need eye care, you may wonder whether you should see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. It is a common question—and one that can create unnecessary confusion about the important roles both providers play in protecting your vision.

Optometrists and ophthalmologists are highly trained eye-care professionals. Optometrists provide comprehensive eye care, diagnose and manage many eye conditions, and often serve as the provider who first identifies changes in a patient's eye health. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who also specialize in eye disease and have additional training to perform eye surgery.

One is not simply "better" than the other. The appropriate provider depends on your eyes, your diagnosis, and the type of care you need.

At North Texas Ophthalmology Associates, our optometrist and ophthalmologists work alongside community optometrists throughout North Texas and Southern Oklahoma to help patients receive the right care at the right time.

Learn more about our providers here: https://www.ntoaeye.com/our-doctors.html

What Does an Optometrist Do?

An optometrist, or Doctor of Optometry (OD), is a highly trained eye-care professional who plays an important role in both vision care and the diagnosis and management of eye disease.

Depending on the practice and the patient's needs, optometrists may provide:

•  Comprehensive eye examinations

•  Diagnosis and management of many eye diseases and conditions

•  Monitoring of cataracts, glaucoma, dry eye, and other changes in eye health

•  Glasses and contact lens prescriptions

•  Specialty contact lens care

•  Pre- and postoperative care in coordination with an ophthalmologist

•  Referral for surgical or additional specialized treatment when appropriate

In fact, many patients first learn they have cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disease, or another eye condition during an examination with their optometrist.

Optometrists also frequently provide long-term monitoring and management of eye disease. A referral to an ophthalmologist does not mean that the optometrist was unable to care for the patient. It often means the patient's condition has reached a point where a surgical evaluation or another type of treatment should be considered.

What Does an Ophthalmologist Do?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in medical and surgical care of the eyes.

Like optometrists, ophthalmologists diagnose and treat eye disease. The primary distinction is that ophthalmologists are physicians and surgeons and can perform eye surgery.

At North Texas Ophthalmology Associates, our ophthalmologists provide specialized medical and surgical care for conditions including:

•  Cataracts and cataract surgery

•  Glaucoma, including laser and surgical treatment

•  Corneal disease and keratoconus

•  Corneal procedures such as cross-linking

•  LASIK, PRK, and other refractive procedures

•  Other conditions requiring specialized medical or surgical treatment

Learn more about the services available at North Texas Ophthalmology Associates: https://www.ntoaeye.com/eyecare-services.html

So, When Should You See an Ophthalmologist?

You do not necessarily need to see an ophthalmologist simply because you have an eye condition.

Many eye conditions can be diagnosed, treated, and monitored by an optometrist. An ophthalmologist may become involved when surgery, laser treatment, or additional medical or surgical evaluation is appropriate.

Some common reasons include:

•  Your optometrist recommends an ophthalmology consultation. If your optometrist identifies a condition that may benefit from surgical or specialized treatment, they may refer you to an ophthalmologist while remaining involved in your ongoing care.

•  Cataracts are interfering with your daily life. Your optometrist can identify and monitor cataracts. When cataracts begin significantly affecting vision and surgery is being considered, an ophthalmologist performs the surgical evaluation and procedure.

•  Your glaucoma may require laser or surgical treatment. Optometrists can diagnose and manage glaucoma. When additional pressure control or a surgical option is being considered, an ophthalmologist may become part of the care team.

•  You have a corneal condition that may require a procedure. Optometrists can identify and manage many corneal conditions and may refer patients for procedures such as corneal cross-linking when appropriate.

•  You are considering vision correction surgery. An ophthalmologist performs surgical evaluations and procedures such as LASIK and PRK.

•  Your condition requires a surgical opinion. Sometimes the purpose of seeing an ophthalmologist is simply to determine whether surgery is appropriate. Surgery is not automatically recommended simply because you have been referred to a surgeon.

The goal is to have the provider whose training and services best match what your eyes need at that point in your care.

Your Optometrist May Still Be an Important Part of Your Care

Being referred to an ophthalmologist does not necessarily mean leaving your optometrist.

Optometrists and ophthalmologists frequently work together through a process sometimes called co-management.

For example, your optometrist may diagnose a cataract and monitor it for several years. When the cataract begins affecting your daily activities, your optometrist may refer you to an ophthalmologist for cataract surgery. Following surgery, both providers may have roles in your postoperative and long-term eye care.

The same collaborative approach can occur with glaucoma, corneal disease, and other eye conditions.

At North Texas Ophthalmology Associates, we value our relationships with optometrists throughout North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. These providers often know their patients' eyes extremely well and are an important part of maintaining their long-term vision and eye health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Optometrists and Ophthalmologists

Is an ophthalmologist better than an optometrist?

They have different training and roles in eye care, so one is simply not better than the other.

Optometrists are trained to examine the eyes, diagnose and manage many eye conditions, prescribe vision correction, and provide ongoing eye care. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who can also perform eye surgery.

Which provider you need depends on your individual eye health and the type of treatment you require.

Can an optometrist diagnose cataracts or glaucoma?

Yes. Optometrists can diagnose and monitor conditions including cataracts and glaucoma and manage many patients over time.

When surgery, laser treatment, or additional specialized treatment becomes appropriate, an optometrist may refer the patient to an ophthalmologist.

If my optometrist refers me to an ophthalmologist, will I still see my optometrist?

Often, yes.

A referral to an ophthalmologist may be for a specific evaluation, procedure, or surgery. Depending on your condition, your optometrist may continue providing ongoing care before or after treatment.

Should I see an optometrist or ophthalmologist for cataracts?

Both may play a role.

An optometrist can diagnose and monitor cataracts. When cataracts begin interfering with everyday activities and surgery is being considered, an ophthalmologist performs the surgical evaluation and cataract surgery.

Learn more about cataract surgery: https://www.ntoaeye.com/cataract-surgery.html

When should I see an ophthalmologist for glaucoma?

Many patients with glaucoma can receive ongoing care from an optometrist. An ophthalmologist may become involved when additional medical evaluation, laser treatment, or glaucoma surgery is being considered.

Learn more about glaucoma surgery: https://www.ntoaeye.com/glaucoma-surgery.html

Do ophthalmologists perform LASIK and other vision correction surgeries?

Yes. Ophthalmologists with training in refractive surgery can perform procedures such as LASIK and PRK for appropriate candidates.

Learn more about laser vision correction: https://www.ntoaeye.com/laser-vision-correction.html

Eye Care in Wichita Falls, North Texas, and Southern Oklahoma

Good eye care is often a team effort.

North Texas Ophthalmology Associates works with optometrists throughout Wichita Falls, North Texas, and Southern Oklahoma to provide medical and surgical eye care when patients need additional treatment or surgery.

Our own optometrist also provides specialized eye care within our practice, including management of dry eye disease and specialty contact lens needs.

Whether your care begins with an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, the goal is the same: protecting your vision and making sure you receive the appropriate care for your individual needs.

Learn more about our providers: https://www.ntoaeye.com/our-doctors.html

Schedule an Evaluation

If your optometrist has referred you for specialized care, you have been diagnosed with an eye condition that may require treatment, or you are considering eye surgery, our team can help determine the appropriate next step.

Schedule an appointment with North Texas Ophthalmology Associates: https://www.ntoaeye.com/contact-us.html or call (940) 240-8400.

Medically Reviewed By

This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Devin West, ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon at North Texas Ophthalmology Associates, before publication.

Dr. West provides medical and surgical eye care, including cataract and glaucoma treatment, and works closely with optometrists to help patients receive the appropriate level of care based on their individual eye health needs.