Ogden Utah Eye Doctors Questions and Answers
The eye doctors at ABC Vision Clinic are proud to provide excellent optometry services to residents of Nicetown, CA . Call us today for more information or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Nicetown CA , Washington Terrace UT, Uintah UT, Harrisville UT, South Nicetown CA and Roy UT.
Whether you need to update your prescription, require treatment for an eye condition or injury, or would like some new eyeglasses, eye doctors can perform a litany of different services! At ABC Vision Clinic, our optometrists and opticians would be happy to provide any of those services to you and your family.
What does an eye doctor do?
Eye doctors are medical professionals who provide primary health care to the eye through a wide range of services. These services vary according to the eye doctor’s specialty, that is, whether they are an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. While optometrists and ophthalmologists provide many of the same services, such as eye exams, vision tests, and treatment for various eye conditions, the main difference between the two is that ophthalmologists are qualified to perform any surgery, while optometrists are more limited in the surgical procedures they are trained to perform. With that in mind, an eye doctor can provide the following services:
- Diagnosis and treatment of various eye conditions, including cataracts, crossed eyes (strabismus), glaucoma, as well as eye conditions associated with diabetes or other diseases
- Eye exams and vision tests
- Prescribing and fitting contact lenses and eyeglasses
- Treatment of conditions such as astigmatisms, farsightedness, and near-sightedness
- Vision therapy or aids for low vision
Do I choose an optometrist or an ophthalmologist?
The only time you need an ophthalmologist over an optometrist is if you require certain eye surgeries or advanced treatment for an eye condition. For most other eye care services, an optometrist can provide excellent care. If your condition ends up requiring the care of an ophthalmologist, an optometrist can refer you to one. Moreover, many optometrists co-manage surgical procedures with ophthalmologists, such as our optometrists at ABC Vision Clinic. As such, choosing between an optometrist or an ophthalmologist is often a matter of personal preference or convenience.
What can a pediatric optometrist treat?
Pediatric optometrists can treat a broad range of eye conditions affecting infants, children, and adolescents up to the age of 21. Some of these eye conditions include the following:
- Allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Blocked tear ducts (nasolacrimal duct obstruction)
- Corneal abrasions
- Crossed eyes (strabismus)
- Eyelid cysts (chalazion)
- Eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
- Glaucoma (congenital glaucoma)
- Lazy eye (amblyopia)
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
- And more!
What can Optometrists diagnose?
Optometrists can diagnose most eye conditions, including those that affect adults and children alike. In addition to eye conditions, optometrists can also uncover conditions affecting other parts of the body, including diabetes and certain types of cancer. Some examples of the eye conditions that optometrists commonly diagnose include the following:
- Astigmatisms
- Cataracts
- Certain types of cancer, including leukemia and skin cancer
- Crossed eyes (strabismus)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Diabetes
- Farsightedness or nearsightedness
- Glaucoma, including primary angle open glaucoma, primary angle closure glaucoma, developmental glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma
- Hypertension
- Lazy eyes (amblyopia)
- Macular degeneration
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, such as Graves’ disease
Can an optometrist treat eye injuries?
Depending on the type and severity of the eye injury, optometrists can provide excellent treatment for most eye injuries. That said, eye injuries that involve puncture wounds or heavy bleeding should be treated at the emergency room. Some examples of injuries that optometrists can safely treat include the following:
- Chemical burns, depending on the substance
- Corneal abrasion, or scratched eye
- Eye swelling, including swollen eyelids or a black eye
- Subconjunctival hemorrhages
- Traumatic iritis
What is the difference between a routine eye exam and a medical eye exam?
You may be confused about the difference between a routine eye exam and a medical eye exam, whether for insurance purposes or curiosity’s sake. In general, you can distinguish a routine eye exam from a medical eye exam based on the reason for the exam. As such, if you are seeing an optometrist or ophthalmologist for blurry or decreased vision, the exam would likely be considered routine. However, if you are seeing the optometrist or ophthalmologist for pink eye or corneal abrasion treatment, it would be viewed as a medical eye exam.
