It can be confusing when you are in the market for new eye doctors in Detroit, Michigan. Typically the first question you will be asked when you call into any practice or office is if you need to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Don’t worry if you don’t know the answer to that question as most people aren’t sure of just what the difference is between the two.
To understand if you need to utilize the services of an ophthalmologist or an optometrist or both starts with understanding what services each different specialization provides for their patients.
Optometrists
Generally if you are coming into see eye doctors in Detroit, Michigan for a general screening or an eye exam you will want to see an optometrist. This is a professional that has a four year degree followed by a specialization in an optometry degree and also residency work. They have a specialist certification through a state licensing board to examine, diagnose and treat diseases and conditions for the eyes as well as related systems in the body.
An optometrist has an O.D. as their professional designation and they complete routine eye tests as well as address issues with the structure of the eye, diseases that contribute to eye health problems, as well as address problems with vision.
If you need glasses, contact lenses or other types of vision correction optometrists are the eye doctors in Detroit, Michigan you need to see.
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor with a four year degree followed by 4 years of medical school and 4 more years of residency that focuses in on care and surgery of the eye.
Ophthalmologists are the eye doctors in Detroit, Michigan that complete all surgical procedures of the eye including the treatment of cataracts and specific diseases that have damaged the eye. In some cases they also perform surgical procedures to enhance the appearance of the exterior of the eye as well as the skin and tissue around the eye itself.
If you aren’t sure which eye doctors in Detroit, Michigan to book an appointment with just talk to the receptionists. She or he will be able to help you get in to see the right professional to address your vision concerns.
