Should I see an Ophthalmologist or an Optometrist?

Question

I have a fairly high degree of near-sightedness and also have been seeing somewhat of a spot of light when I look over too quickly, and also some floaters. Would an Ophthalmologist do a better job in finding anything (if there is anything)? Would they do a more accurate job with my prescription, too?

Also, are they more expensive to go to? (no insurance)

so many great answers! thank you!

Answer 1

optometrist optometrist optometrist.

an ophthalmologist is a SURGEON. do you need surgery? probably not.

yes, an optometrist is just as good at "finding" whatever you have as an ophthalmologist is.

only go to an ophthalmologist if you need surgery. this may or may not be a surgical case (although reading the description i would be willing to bet heavily on NON-SURGICAL)

edit: rich z is wrong. thumbs down for that.
edit: greta...

wow where are all these people coming from? i am disagreeing with lots of people today. oh well, thats just who i am lol

i dont care who you "work for". no ophthalmologist is better than an optometrist at finding anything, even possible retinal problems from "flashes". you only need an ophthalmologist if you need SURGERY. not all flashes are the same. a flash that ONLY occurs when you look in a certain direction is almost NEVER a serious retinal problem like a hole or tear or detachment. yes, quote me on that. flashes that ONLY occur when you "look too quickly" are almost always "pressure phosphenes" and are totally benign. probably need an exam just in case...from an optometrist, not a surgeon.

Answer 2

Optometrist Or Ophthalmologist

Answer 3

Optometrist Or Opthamologist

Answer 4

You should always start with your Optometrist. They ARE licensed and are well equipped to handle your general eyecare needs. They also provide more accurate prescriptions.

I work for a group of ophthalmologists...and we send our patients back to their local OPTOMETRISTS for their glasses prescriptions AND we also refer them BACK to their OPTOMETRISTS for their general eye care.

Ophthalmologists are specialists and surgeons.

If you had abdominal pain, you would not go straight to a gastroenterologist...you would go to your general practitioner or family doctor since abdominal pain could be caused by several different things.

It is NO different by going to your optometrist first. Yes, there is an additional expense incurred if the optometrist does find something wrong and you need a specialist...but they KNOW who to send you to by the symptoms and their findings...rather than getting passed around from specialist to specialist when you go as a "self referral" to an ophthalmologist...Believe me...I have seen this happen with patients who come in thinking they have a retinal problem when it is actually a corneal problem...or even simply dry eyes. If these patients would see their optometrist first, then they would not be 'passed' around and getting frustrated by all of the copays or out of pocket expenses.

An optometrist can diagnose, prescribe medications, and treat controllable conditions, like mild diabetic eye problems, mild glaucoma, dry eye, eye allergies as well as refract your prescription.

Usually the specialists ARE more expensive to go to. Our typical initial visits run about $100...my personal optometrist charges $45.

I was born with a high degree of nearsightedness...and only once was referred to an ophthalmologist...for sudden vision loss that was diagnosed as a possible amaurosis fugax that never happened again....but I was referred from my optometrist, and finally the retinal specialist.

Answer 5

I work for an Ophthalmologist. They are usually better equipped at taking care of the health of your eye than an Optometrist. Ophthalmologists can also write out eyeglass prescriptions, they just don't normally have an optical shop in with them like an Optometrist might.

While my doctor specializes in glaucoma and cataract surgeries, Ophthalmologists are concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases of the eyes with medications, lenses and/or surgery.

Flashes of light and floaters can be signs of a problem. Find a reputable Ophthalmologist in your area. Hard to say what you'll be charged, but check with the billing dept. or office manager. Most are nice enough to work out a payment plan with you. Good luck!

To Princeidoc-
ouch. I am only suggesting from experience...besides, most of our referrals come from Optometrists who want us to take another look at a patient for evaluation. Which equals more money for the patient to spend.

Answer 6

I would see an opthamologist. It sounds like you have some serious problems developing there. Sometimes people see a flash of light when they have a retinal tear, and that can lead to blindness. An optometrist is fine if all you need is vision correction, but they cannot treat eye disease.

Cost wise, there's not much difference in the private practices. I pay just as much for my optometrist as I did when I went to an opthamologist. As far as accuracy, I've never had an opthamologist get a script wrong, but I have had an optometrist screw one up.

Answer 7

No. go to an optometrist. An ophthalmologist is a surgeon. If you think you need surgery go to an ophthalmologist. Optometrists are equally good if not better at treating eye conditions. If you need surgery, they will refer you.

Answer 8

What you need to understand in order to make a good decision on that question is the difference between the two. An Optometrist is like being the Physician's Assistant instead of the Physician. They are not doctors. They are just lisenced to check vision. They do not specialize in any field of eyesight nor do they do any surgeries. If you have a simple vision problem like you need a normal perscription for reading glasses, then they are fine and cheeper to go to but if something is wrong with your eyes, they also cannot diagnose it very well either. When I was a kid growing up, that is all my parents could afford to take me to and as a result, I ended up with worse eye problems than if they had paid for the specialists. Ophthalmologist are specialists and lisenced doctors. They have a degree in becoming a doctor and then have gone on to specialize in the eyes. If you believe that you have any problems with your eyes, they are much better equipped at finding out if that is true. Usually fLoaters, if that is what you truly have, are nothing to be concerned about and there is no cure for them. They can be in the form of small black spots, wiggles, flashing lights, or cloudy looking forms. They are caused because the vitreous humor, which is a jelly part of the eye, starts to shrink with age and clumps instead of being jelly like. They are a sign of age and nothing serious unless you feel like you have one that seems to be getting bigger or seems to be stationary (not moving). Then you could have a serious problem with something else going on. I have been going to an ophthalmologist for quite some time now and I see better now than I have ever seen with any perscription I got from any optometrist.

Answer 9

Ophthalmologists always do a better job because they are looking for problems (unfortunately they are usually more expensive).

Optometrists mainly just measure what your eyeglass prescription should be (although careful ones look for other issues too).

I think one trip to ophthalmologist would be worth the expense.

Answer 10

melanie -- Either one would do and be adequate. The optometrist will do a more accurate job with the prescription since they have more experience in the refractions and are specialists in glasses and contacts. Ophthalmologists specialize in surgery and more advanced stages of ocular diseases.

Sunnyside-up --> Provide references please as to how optometrists are "not doctors" and solid proof that the optometrist gave you "worse eye problems than if they had paid for the specialists". How are optometrists "just lisenced to check vision"??? references please. . . . below are mine.

To whomever is reading, take Jennifer's answer to heart. She hit it on the head.