The difference between an Ophthalmologist and an Optometrist in Lorton VA
Optometrist Training: 4 yrs of Optometry School after 4+ yr degree from a College/University to acquire doctorate degree (Doctor of Optometry).Optional 1 yr Residency in a Specialty (eg. Vision Therapy, Low Vision, Ocular Disease, Specialty Contacts, Pediatrics, Primary Care).
Services:
- Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams.
- Perform Refraction to determine eyeglasses and contact lens prescription and fit both eyewear to maximize quality of vision.
- Treatment of conditions like strabismus and amblyopia through glasses, prescribed medication or vision therapy.
- Prescribe eye or oral medications for certain eye conditions due to infection, allergy or eye related injury. (e.g conjunctivitis – pink eye, swollen lids)
- In most states optometrists can remove foreign bodies from a patient’s eye or under eyelid. (e.g Virginia)
- In some states optometrists can treat glaucoma (e.g Virginia)
- Vision Therapy services for binocular vision issues that can affect schoolwork
- Low Vision Services for patients with advanced vision loss but still have some vision left. (e.g use of magnifiers, telescopes)
- Pre and Post operative care for cataracts and Lasik/PRK refractive surgery patients.
- Dry Eye treatment (oral meds, oral supplements, prescription eye drops or punctal plugs).
- Infant and Pediatric Eye Exam.
1 year internship to acquire doctorate degree (Medical Doctor).
3+ years Ophthalmology Residency in surgical and medical training in eye care. The more specialized, the more years of training (e.g. Retina Specialist, Corneal Specialist, Oculoplastic Surgeon vs General Ophthalmologist)
Services:
- Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exams
- May have an Optometrist working in their practice to perform refraction to prescribe eyeglasses.
- Surgical treatment of advanced strabismus.
- Often use medical treatment of amblyopia (lazy eye).
- Removal of Foreign bodies from the eye.
- Treat more advanced or complex eye disorders or disease.
- Surgical treatment of injured eyes or retinal detachment.
- Surgically remove cataracts and replace with artificial intraocular lenses.
- Perform Lasik, PRK or other refractive surgeries.
- Cosmetic Surgery of eyelids.
- Treatment of Advanced Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Cornea disease or Retinal Disease.
- Can prescribe a full scope of oral and eye medications for conditions beyond eye disease.
- Dry Eye treatment and in some cases surgical intervention to protect the dry eye.
Not all optometrists offer all of the above services. It is not unusual for optometrists to refer to other optometrists who specialize in areas like Vision therapy or Low Vision to assist beyond average binocular vision issues or patients who are legally blind.
Optometrists are often the “front-line” eye specialist who can diagnose eye diseases and spot an underlying systemic disease, like diabetes, or lupus. In some cases, patients have been found to have a tumor in the eye.
Optometrists will refer to general or specialized ophthalmologists, for example a retina specialist or cornea specialist, appropriately in cases where patients need ocular surgery or more advanced medical cases.
At Clearfinity Eyecare Optometrist, all services are offered for all ages except for in-office vision therapy and low vision treatment. However, patients will be evaluated for the need of these services during their thorough comprehensive vision and eye health examination and referred to an appropriate specialist in those areas. Patients found to have any advanced ocular disease or injury or neurological eye problems that require more extensive medical or surgical treatment will be referred to a local ophthalmologist.
Since Dr. Laura Frederick is always keeping abreast of new technology and treatment options she will expand her services based on the needs for the local demographic and will update accordingly.
Call Now to Learn More
Want to learn more about Clearfinity Eyecare Optometrist, your local Lorton VA optometrist? Give us a call at (703) 293-5222 or use our convenient online form to contact us today.