subject: Understanding What An Optometrist Is [print this page] For the benefit of people who are not familiar with what optometry is about, it literally means the measurement of vision. The person who has a title of optometrist is licensed to perform eye examinations, prescription of contact lenses and glasses and diagnose and plan treatment for eye diseases. There will be various vision therapies conducted in order to treat abnormalities as well as medication prescription.
However, when delicate surgery is needed or when the disease has completely took a wrong turn, patients will be referred to an ophthalmologist who is the eye medical doctor. A lot of people often think that it is better to consult an ophthalmologist for routine eye examinations instead of going to an optometrist perhaps because of the name signature of M.D. There is really nothing wrong with consulting an ophthalmologist.
In fact, you could use his or her expertise to broaden your knowledge about certain eye diseases that have gotten complicated that it will need more delicate approach namely surgery. Most ophthalmologists are skilled and trained in order to perform delicate procedures to the eye while an optometrist is skilled and trained to perform routine examinations and non-invasive therapy or treatment for certain eye diseases.
Usually, optometrists in Indianapolis will not directly suggest surgery as a means of treatment because they tend to exhaust other means of therapies first. An ophthalmologist on the other hand will likely have higher professional fees and possibly suggest that you undergo surgery if the case arises. Unless the problem is already in itself complicated, visiting an optometrist will be your most cost-effective choice.
Most optometrists Indianapolis has have first-hand experience and skill with routine examination because it is the field where they were specifically trained. Most of them underwent 4-year school training in optometry after graduating at least 3 years of higher education in an accredited college or university. After completing the 4-year training, they will take licensure examinations both clinical and written.
Sometimes optometrists Indianapolis IN has would specialize further in a 1-year residency program that might include areas such as family practice, vision therapy, pediatric optometry or ocular disease.
