There are two types of eye doctors, one is the ophthalmologist and the other one is the optometrist. With all the jargon and the lab gowns worn, actually, in general, both are doctors. But which is which and whom you can approach with a particular problem with your eyes? A Colorado eye doctor that you may consult with can be either of the two types.
Further, let us define each to understand more of what each can do to your eye problem. An ophthalmologist is an eye doctor that is licensed to perform eye examination, give diagnosis and performs standard eye surgeries and procedures. This type of eye doctor had completed pre-med studies, internship, with extensive 3-4 years of training and medical service. On the other hand, an optometrist is also an eye doctor who had graduated a 4-year optometry course but did not attend a medical school. This type of eye doctor can only perform standard eye examinations, prescribe reading eyeglasses as well as contact lenses to patients but are not licensed to perform eye surgeries. But do not confuse these two types of eye doctor with the optician. An eye doctor has an assistant who is called an optician. Though the optician can do certain eye assessments or examination but still under an eye doctor’s supervision. And the task of an optician is more on assisting patients with the prescribed contact lenses and eyeglasses like ordering and dealing with patients records and other paper works in the clinic.
So, who do you need, the ophthalmologist or the optometrist? It depends on the eye problem that you are experiencing. Before choosing where to go to and whom to go to, you need to determine what your complaints are about or what your eye problem is in particular. Once you had determined your eye condition that you would like to consult with a Colorado eye doctor, then it is easy to pinpoint whom to go. Determining your condition also gives you the benefit to anticipate what will happen during a visit to an eye doctor and what are the things and possible procedures that can be given you. Today, as we are already in the modern age, eye doctors do not only engage in standard exams, but also high tech eye surgery procedures and equipment for instance, the famous trend of laser eye surgery, artificial tears and lasik treatments.
Choosing an eye doctor for a particular eye condition is really simple and easy today. First off, you have the World Wide Web or the Internet to seek for these really good clinics and eye doctors in the placed. Second are from classified ads, referrals from friends and if you are in the mood, a search within your local area in Colorado is another. Therefore, your eye problem today can be easily solved.