Best Ophthalmologists Near Me in Houston, TX | WebMD (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to go to an ophthalmologist or optometrist? ›

Visit your medical optometrist for primary medical eye care, including eye medication prescriptions, monitoring and managing eye diseases, or emergency eye care services. Visit an ophthalmologist for interventions like surgical treatments for serious eye diseases, advanced ocular problems, or refractive eye surgery.

You can visit an ophthalmologist for the same care as an optometrist, such as a routine eye exam or prescription refill. However, an ophthalmologist can also perform eye surgery for various diseases and conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and strabismus.

Screening for common eye diseases, as well as treatment for glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Surgically implanted lenses to restore vision after cataract surgery. Diagnosis of and treatment for conditions such as dry eye syndrome and macular degeneration.

Opticians are technicians who fit eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision-correcting devices. Optometrists examine, diagnose, and treat patients' eyes. Ophthalmologists are eye doctors who perform medical and surgical treatments for eye conditions.

An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic physician who specializes in eye and vision care.

Optometrists diagnose and treat eye diseases and vision problems. They perform eye exams to identify any problems in your vision. Optometrists can prescribe many of the most common treatments you'll need to correct your vision, including: Eyeglasses.

The most common eye diseases worldwide are: Cataracts. Refractive errors like astigmatism, farsightedness (hyperopia), nearsightedness (myopia), and age-related loss of up-close focusing (presbyopia). Glaucoma.

Nearsightedness, cataracts, keratoconus, and a lack of vitamin A all cause a type of night blindness that doctors can fix. Some people are born with this problem, or it might develop from a degenerative disease involving the retina, and that usually can't be treated.

OD means “right eye.” OD is the traditional abbreviation used for the right eye because it's short for oculus dexter, which means “right eye” in Latin. Sometimes, doctors will just use “RE” or “right” for the right eye.

Can an optometrist diagnose glaucoma? ›

Optometrists go through significant training to become experts on eyes and eye-related issues. They are trained and qualified to diagnose many eye conditions or diseases, glaucoma included. In addition to diagnosing, they can also treat many of these same diseases.

The Optician uses an ophthalmoscope or Volk lens to examine the retina at the back of the eye, including the blood vessels and the front of the optic nerve. This important test can detect changes which can indicate diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Essentially, people who have common eye care challenges, such as the need for eyeglasses, will only ever see an optometrist. Patients with more severe eye problems or complex eye conditions will require care beyond an optometrist's abilities. They require an ophthalmologist.

Ophthalmologists can spot eye disease early and take steps to protect your sight. Many eye conditions are silent: By the time you notice symptoms, your vision may be partially impaired. This is true for potentially blinding eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, ocular melanoma or glaucoma.

For minor issues such as dry eyes, redness, soreness, and vision problems, optometrists have the experience and training to provide solutions. Optometrists are also the preferred providers of annual vision check-ups.