If you have any problems with your eyesight, you are required to see an eye doctor. You may come across many technical terms for eye doctors, which might get you confused. This article aims to help clarify these terms and also let you know how each eye doctor can help you. You may come across the term ophthalmologist, optometrist and optician.

1. Optometrist

This is the eye doctor that is usually visited first by many people with eye problems. They can be considered as the first eye doctor you should visit. An optometrist is responsible for conducting different tests to help diagnose your eye condition and then treat you or refer you to another specialist. When you visit the optometrist, they may require your medical history and you to give him or her more details about your eye condition. Try not to leave out anything even if you think it is minor. Every detail is important in helping your optometrist come up with an accurate diagnosis.

The next step is conducting the tests, which may include a refractive error test (which finds out whether you are long or short-sighted) or an inspection of your eye using a piece of equipment that helps the optometrist see inside your eye. Don't be afraid; there is no injection; the piece of equipment uses lenses to help the optometrist see inside your eye.

2. Optician

After your eye tests, the optometrist may find that you have a refractive error. This is usually corrected using prescription glasses or contact lenses. The optometrist finds out which lens corrects your refractive error and refers you to an optician who is responsible for fitting and designing prescription glasses. You are required to present the prescription glasses form given by your optometrist to your optician.

3. Ophthalmologist

If the optometrist finds that you have an eye condition that requires advanced treatment, which may include eye surgery, you are referred to an ophthalmologist. They are only eye doctor who is qualified and licensed to carry out eye surgery. Therefore, what sets ophthalmologists apart from other eye doctors is the ability to perform eye surgery. Eye surgery entails unblocking blood vessels in your retina, removing scars that may be tagging at your retina, controlling leaks in your retina, changing out your eye lens for an artificial one, etc.

Depending on the eye surgery being performed or your general health, you can either be put to sleep or have your eye numbed and be awake throughout the entire procedure.