Ophthalmologist vs Optometrist

I've gone to eye doctors most of my life not realizing the different types. I had one to remove my cataracts, one examine my eyes after surgery, one examine eyes yearly, one for my retina, and one for my cornea. Needless to say I just can't drop into a Lenscrafters to have my eyes examined. Below is an explanation of how they are different.

Ophthalmologist vs Optometrist

One of the most common mistakes many patients make is to consider an optometrist and ophthalmologist as the same position, however there is a huge difference between the two. Optometrists are usually the primary health provider for normal vision problems and yearly checkups. The position requires a Doctor of Optometry degree and a license, and allows the diagnosing for common vision acuity problems like farsightednesster and nearsightedness, prescribing corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses, dispensing and prescription of certain medication, plus testintases and conditions. Optometrists can handle all this, usually in their own office or for a firm.

Ophthalmologists can perform the same functions as optometrists, but are considered a higher position as they actually are medical doctors with Doctors of Medicine or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine degrees who specialize in the eyes and vision care. This means an ophthalmologist can diagnose and treat highly complicated eyes issues, can perform surgeries like Lasik and repair retinal damage, and can handle more area specific cases in vision care. The main difference between the two eye-related careers is that an ophthalmologist can handle surgeries and other issues that require more training on the medical side.

FLYING AGAIN

Over the past four years I have traveled by plane more than I have in the first 46 years of my life. My most common destination in Memphis, Tennessee to visit family in Oxford, Mississippi. I have flown so much in the past few years I recognize the staff and they recognize me. It has been such an easy adjustment flying alone even thou I have vision problems. The first time I was ever on a plane was in 1972 when my parents took me to Johns' Hopkins in Baltimoe, Maryland for cataract surgery. My sister was able to go with us and I really appreciate it since she cut her college classes to be with me. My family has always be there for me when I had anything major like eye surgery.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

While I was in Mississippi visiting my parents my nieces threw me a surprise birthday party. Thank you girls.

MY FIRST CATARACT SURGERY

This is my second birthday picture. Thanks to my brother Dave who just put all our slides on CD. I'm happy he has too much time on his hands. At 6 months my parents realized I couldn't see and took me to the eye doctor. I was then sent to Oxford Mississippi to Dr. Rodgers a cataract surgeon. At two I had my first surgery of many. I had an operation every two years. Just in case you couldn't tell my birthday is Valentines Day February 14th 1962.

HOSPITAL LIFE

I know many of us with vision problems have had many surgeries and feel like they have lived in the hospital. At Thanksgiving my mother fainted and cracked the back of her head. She was in the hospital for almost a week recovering. December 23, 2011 she suffered a stoke and has been in the hospital since. I've been here for in town for nine days and have slept at the hospital for the past seven night. She just got moved to a rehab unit and is doing much better. As I have mentioned in a past post she is in the same hospital that I had my cataract surgeries in the 1960's. The staff has been very caring and kind. Below is a picture my brother found.


In March 1962 Mama Sara provided comfort for my sister Frances Marie. This week Frances Marie is providing comfort to Mama Sara as she recovers from very serious surgery in Oxford, MS.