When you are looking for an eye doctor, visiting an optometrist will almost always do the job. While optometrists provide services for vision testing and treating most medical eye conditions, they are limited to medical, non-surgical treatment of the eye. If you develop cataracts or desire lens surgery, you will then want to seek out an ophthalmologist in Palm Beach, Sunrise, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Weston, or the surrounding areas. The best ophthalmologist that you will find is at SightTrust Eye Institute.
Why Go to SightTrust Eye Institute?
So why should you go to SightTrust Eye Institute? Many people would say that it’s the team that works there that makes it the best. They all have a passion to help patients see better. Others would say that it is the cataract surgeon, Dr. Andrew Shatz, who has years of experience and has performed thousands of successful surgeries. In truth, it is all of the above that work in harmony and provides their patients with an outstanding range of options and better eyesight.
What Is the Difference Between an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist?
An optometrist does not have a medical degree. They have, however, completed a doctor of optometry degree, and use OD after their names to signify this education level. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, do have a medical degree and have either MD or DO after their names to indicate this (MD is a doctor of medicine and DO being a doctor of osteopathic medicine).
The other big difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist is performing surgery. Optometrists can essentially do nearly everything that an ophthalmologist can do, but the optometrist cannot perform surgery. Optometrists can prescribe medications and treat eye diseases, but if surgery is something that you need, only an ophthalmologist is qualified to do so for you.
As long as you don’t have any complicated medical issues with your eyes, an optometrist is fully capable of providing the care that you need. But when it comes to cataract surgery, clear lens replacement surgery, or phakic IOL surgery, as well as other conditions or issues that require surgery of any kind, you will need an ophthalmologist to provide the care you need.
