At Illinois Eye Center in Peoria, you’ll find a wide variety of eye care professionals and specialists – so many that you may not be able to tell who does what. If you’ve ever been confused about who performs optical surgeries and who customizes prescription lenses, you’re in luck. This blog post will cover the several different types of eye care professionals working at Illinois Eye Center, so you’ll know exactly who you’ll be seeing during your next appointment.
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) who specializes in eye and vision care. As medical doctors, they are licensed to diagnose and treat all eye diseases, perform eye surgery and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. Many ophthalmologists take part in scientific research to learn more about the causes and cures for various eye diseases and disorders.
Some ophthalmologists receive specialized training in a particular area of medical or surgical eye care. They are referred to as subspecialists, having completed one to two years of additional in-depth training, known as a fellowship. Subspecialty areas at Illinois Eye Center include glaucoma, retina, cornea, pediatrics, refractive surgery and oculoplastics.
Optometrist
Optometrists have a doctor of optometry (OD) degree after completing four years of optometry school, proceeded by three or more years of college. Optometrists are not medical doctors; they are licensed to practice optometry. They are healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care ranging from sight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment and management of vision changes. Optometrists prescribe and dispense corrective lenses, detect certain eye abnormalities, and prescribe medications for certain eye diseases.
Optician
Opticians use prescriptions provided by ophthalmologists and optometrists to design and fit eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses and other devices intended to improve and correct eyesight. They are not permitted to diagnose or treat eye diseases. Opticians typically receive a one or two-year degree or certification.
Orthoptist
Orthoptists can help treat your vision problems and help you achieve your highest quality of vision. Illinois Eye Center’s own Orthoptist, Rex Brown, C.O., the only Orthoptist in Central Illinois, is highly experienced in the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of amblyopia, convergence insufficiency, non-surgical treatment of strabismus, and diplopia.
The goal of Orthoptic treatment is to relieve symptoms and improve vision. While Orthoptists specialize in treating eye muscle disorders, they also assist in caring for patients before and after surgery, specifically those who undergo strabismus surgery.
Who will you see?
When you have an appointment at our ophthalmology practice, you’ll likely see one or more of these professionals. Who you see depends on your needs. For most day-to-day eye and vision care needs, you’ll most likely see an optometrist. If your optometrist finds more serious eye conditions, they’ll refer you to an ophthalmologist for a more detailed examination.
For more information on eye health and vision care, check out our website today at illinoiseyecenter.com.
