San Diego optometrists and ophthalmologists are both well qualified to help you care for your eyes, and they each have a different level of training and specialize in different extensions of vision care. There are some differences between the two professions that everyone should be aware of, and that way patients can always be sure that they are getting the proper care and are getting the care that they need. There are opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists that all work to improve the eyesight of their patients.
San Diego optometrists hold a doctorate degree in optometry. However, they are not classified as medical doctors. They are specialists in vision and the eyes, and it is vision and the eyes ONLY that is their specialty. Even though they cannot perform surgery, however, optometrists and ophthalmologists do sometimes work together in the same office setting. Many people who do not have special needs for their eyes will schedule their appointments with an optometrist, because they are usually easier to get an appointment with. Not only that, but also if there is anything out of the ordinary that the optometrist sees, he or she will refer the patient to a specialist if needed.
The optician is one who can fill prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses. They do not prescribe any type of corrective eyewear, but they do help choose frames and make sure that any glasses or contacts that you do get fit correctly and are a good prescription for you. While some opticians do actually mill the lenses for glasses, they may also measure your eyes for fitting you with contact lenses. In some eyeglass labs, however, there may be other people that do the milling.
As opposed to San Diego optometrists, an ophthalmologist is an actual medical doctor that specializes in the eyes, but they understand the bodys systems and how the eye relates to and affects the body as a whole system. They go to medical school just like any other medical doctor. They are qualified to perform surgeries and can assess the overall health of their patients. There are actually many health problems, like diabetes, that have a direct relationship with the eyes and the health of those eyes. Those with special vision problems or risks will usually maintain a regular appointment schedule with their ophthalmologist, and it may or may not be only after they began seeing San Diego optometrists first for a referral.
If you only need a general exam for your eyesight, you may want to try making an appointment first with San Diego optometrists because they can examine your eyes thoroughly without you having to wait months for an appointment.