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Looking For An Eye Doctor Near You?

There are three different kinds of professionals that could be considered “eye doctors”, but their work can vary considerably. They simply fall into the same category due to the fact that they all work to help you protect your vision, despite their work being quite different.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the roles of optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists - alongside what you should expect from an appointment with each of them. Finding an eye doctor in a nearby location is not easy and it is important to search for the best one in your neighborhood. Your search should include location, VSP coverage or other vision benefits providers, ease of contact doctors are very busy and getting a good contact where you can also make a purchase for most people is not easy in your coverage area.

According to the CDC, “approximately 12 million people 40 years and over in the United States have eye impairment”, though you can deal with vision complications at any stage in your life. As a result, it’s crucial that we take steps to better care for our visual health - for example, to find an eye doctor on a regular basis. New patients especially should search and contact an eye care professional on a regular basis.

There are three professions that often fall under the umbrella term of ‘eye doctor’:

  • Optometrist (OD)
  • Optician (LO)
  • Ophthalmologist (MD)

Each professional offers different services, though they all work toward the same aim of protecting and preserving your vision. They can often signpost you towards others should your care surpass their expertise or require more in-depth attention.

Various studies recommend that you see the Optician or Optometrist at least every two years - though you should attend more frequently if you have already been diagnosed with an eye condition, or if you notice any sudden changes to your vision. Despite this, of the 93 million adults in the US who are considered at risk of serious vision loss, only 50% have had eye exams in the past year (CDC).

Regular eye check-ups are not only essential for diagnosing vision problems but also play a critical role in detecting early signs of other serious health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer. Since many eye diseases progress slowly and painlessly, individuals may not notice symptoms until significant damage has occurred. By scheduling routine exams with a qualified eye care professional, you can ensure early detection, timely intervention, and better overall health outcomes. Eye health is a window to your general well-being—making regular visits to an eye doctor an important part of your healthcare routine.

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Why is taking care of your sight important?

There are many reasons why taking care of your vision is important. For example

  • Taking care of your eyes reduces the chances of you developing eye diseases or conditions that could impact your eyes and overall health.
  • Taking care of your eyes means you have a better understanding of your visual health, meaning you’ll notice any complications or changes to your eyes much quicker than you would otherwise.
  • Loss of sight has a significant impact on your life, and can often lead to a range of mental and physical health problems.
  • Loss of vision could be linked to other health conditions, indicating that you need to seek further medical help or support.

Optometrist (OD)

What does an Optometrist do?

These are professionals who have typically completed a four-year optometry degree, alongside passing the National Board of Examiners Optometry test. Their work is very similar to ophthalmologists, but they do not have a specific medical degree, such as an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) qualification. They are referred to as OD, or Doctor of Optometry.

Their role is to conduct eye exams that assess your visual health and identify any signs or indicators of larger problems such as glaucoma, or other ocular diseases. They can provide solutions for any minor issues they encounter but will pass over any surgical work to an MD.

They will also carry out eye tests that assess your overall vision. After these sessions, they will put together a prescription that you can use to purchase glasses and contact lenses. To put it simply, they offer primary care and support - both to those who are experiencing eye problems, and those who simply want to conduct an annual check on their eye health. They typically work independently or alongside opticians.

What should I expect from an optometry appointment?

During an appointment, they will conduct a series of tests that assess your eye health. Typically, your doctor will subject you to three tests and log the results:

  • Eye Muscle Tests.
  • Refraction test.
  • Visual Acuity Test.
Eye muscle

Eye Muscle Test

During an eye muscle test, an optometrist will log a series of small tests that will assess the strength and capabilities of the subject muscles that control eye movements. These muscles are known as rectus and oblique muscles, and their weakness could lead to a variety of complications, such as double vision and eye strain. To test these muscles, you’ll be asked to follow the path of a moving object with your eye.

Refraction tests

Refraction tests are carried out by specialist machines, which help them determine what prescription you will need for your glasses or contacts. This information is calculated by figuring out how light rays move through your eye.

Visual Acuity Tests

Visual Acuity Tests are likely the kind of examination you are most familiar with. During this time, your doctor will ask you to read out a series of letters or numbers from a poster on the other side of the room, with the figures getting smaller and smaller as you proceed. This test measures the strength and quality of your vision.

Visual field tests

Visual field tests are designed to measure how much you can see from the corner of your eyes, without turning your head. This is often known as your peripheral vision, and impacts your ability to walk around without bumping into things, etc. During a visual field test, you’ll typically have to place your chin on a chin rest and look inside a large dome shaped device. Over a period of 5-10 minutes, a series of lights will flash throughout the dome, and you must press a button each time you see one. You complete the test with one eye covered at a time, and it helps to identify potential blind spots in vision.

Following these tests, they will then carry out a retinal examination. Using specialist equipment and cameras will enable them to identify problems or issues in your eyes. In some cases, they may apply eye drops ahead of time to facilitate their examination.

At the end of your session, your optometrist will discuss your health with you, alongside whether or not your prescription has changed. If your prescription has changed, they may give a reason as to why, such as if they believe you are dealing with a specific condition, or whether this is simply the product of your vision degenerating a little as you get older. If necessary, they will signpost you towards further support services.

Optometrists are often a VSP or EyeMed member, because VSP and EyeMed are leading providers of supplemental insurance and deals primarily with independent doctors. You can also check with the member services group at your employer or your health plan, to see what your specific vision care benefit is, and who are the individual providers near you, their street address, are they in-network and a full list of services provided. Eye care services are often provided near your current location, whether you want to go in network or out of network. Some vision care plans include contact lenses, and some do not include contact lenses. The eye care services provided by your VSP network doctor - even if you are going in network - will vary widely among independent doctors. The information provided on their own websites does not necessarily reflect the current services they offer, since their website may not be up to date.

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Eye muscle

Optician (LO)

What does an Optician do?

Opticians are professionals whose work revolved around filling the prescriptions written by optometrists. They work to fit visual aids such as glasses and contact lenses, and you’ll likely interact with them whenever you go to buy a new pair of glasses. They make adjustments to the eyeglasses fram to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible and may alter lens thickness. If you purchase glasses online, you’re unlikely to consult with an optician as their work is typically more ‘sales’ focused.

Opticians do not provide vision therapy or a contact lens fitting - these are provided by an optometrist.

Opticians do not have the same level of experience and qualifications as optometrists and are unable to diagnose or treat eye conditions. They typically receive on the job training for the work they carry out, as opposed to obtaining a formal degree. However, this does not mean that the advice they provide you is not useful.

In about 25 US states, opticians do not require a license. Other states require various levels of training, and then the opticians are granted the LO designation, which means Licensed Optician.

What should I expect from an optician's appointment?

You will likely meet with an optician, given that their primary purpose is filling prescriptions and fitting glasses and frames. They will spend some time with you discussing your options, especially if this is the first time you will be wearing glasses or contacts. They may be able to provide you with specific advice pertaining to which glasses are best suited to your prescription and will also take necessary measurements to ensure your glasses are a comfortable fit.

In many cases, an optician's work and methodologies are similar to that of a pharmacist, as they both work to fulfill prescriptions. As such, your transactions with an optician will be quite similar!

Ophthalmologist (MD)

What does an MD do?

Ophthalmologists are typically the most ‘highly trained’ form of eye specialist and often work at specialist eye clinics or hospitals, as opposed to independent or chain practices. They have completed a Medical Degree like any other doctor, followed by residency, alongside four years of postgraduate specialty training. This means that even the most newly-qualified MD has 8 years of studying under their belt.

What should I expect from an ophthalmologist appointment?

An MD appointment, for the most part, will be very similar to a typical appointment. Before your meeting, you’ll be asked to provide them with specific information related to your visual and physical health, alongside family history. They will then carry out a series of tests, such as:

  • Refraction tests.
  • Eye muscle tests.
  • Visual Acuity tests.
  • Peripheral eye tests.

If you are meeting your ophthalmologist to assess a pre-diagnosed condition, such as glaucoma, your appointment will be tailored around this. For example, you may attend a follow-up appointment to see if previously prescribed eye drops worked to reduce the pressure around your eyes, or if further interventions are necessary. If the condition has not cleared itself, they may begin exploring other options such as laser treatment or surgery.

Eye muscle
Eye muscle

Eye Problems

Doctors look for a host of issue in a new patient and also in regular patients, which is why it is important to get a comprehensive eye exam every year for enhanced vision. Your vision care provider looks for common eye diseases like macular degeneration, nearsightedness, diabetic retinopathy, and even a brain tumor. Routine eye exams and optometry services can often spot an eye problem or vision problem, but comprehensive eye care services by eye care professionals could also include dry eye treatment for clear vision. When refractive surgery is recommended after comprehensive eye exams it can sometimes be covered by providing your insurance information.

Again, if you are having eye surgery, the process will vary depending upon the kind of surgery that is being carried out. However, your MD and their team will be on hand to answer any questions you have ahead of time, which will put your mind at ease. They’ll be able to explain the surgery, and its benefits, in simple terms so that you’re able to understand the process and your recovery.

Be sure to listen to all advice, and follow it as closely as possible, especially when it pertains to your recovery from a surgery. Ignoring advice, or trying to return to normality sooner than advised could lead to a range of complications - meaning it will actually slow down your overall recovery as opposed to speeding it up.

How often should I see an eye specialist?

As discussed above, it is recommended by various experts that you see an eye specialist at least once every two years as an adult. Children should visit annually until the age of 16. However, you may need to visit the doctor more frequently if:

  • You notice any sudden or abrupt changes to your vision. For example, you may find that you’re finding it hard to focus, or that your sight is slightly blurry.
  • You wear glasses/contact lenses/visual aids already and feel as though you have noticed a change in your prescription.
  • You have previously been diagnosed with an eye disease.
  • You are experiencing pain or discomfort around your eyes.

You may also need to attend appointments more regularly if you are genetically predisposed to certain eye conditions and complications - which is why knowing your family’s medical history is so important. If you don’t know if there are any genetic eye conditions in your family, the likelihood is that you have nothing to worry about- but it's always worth asking so that you remain informed. After all, according to a recent study, there are more than 350 hereditary eye diseases, including conditions such as:

  • Glaucoma
  • Albinism
  • Color Blindness
  • Corneal dystrophies
  • Keratoconus
  • Leber Genetic Amaurosis
  • Night blindness
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa
  • Retinoblastoma
  • Anidrida
Eye muscle
Eye muscle

What are the benefits of visiting the eye doctor?

Keeping up to date with routine visits to your doctor and regular audits of your eyes is quite simply, the most efficient method for protecting your sight for years to come. These eye care visits come with many benefits, for example:

  • Health conditions can be identified quickly. During a routine visit, your doctor will be able to detect any signs or indicators of health conditions that need further examination.
  • You can upgrade your prescription. As we age, it's only normal for our prescription to change somewhat. However, using corrective lenses that aren’t meeting your needs places further strain on your eyes. As a result, visiting your doctor regularly means that your prescription remains as accurate as possible. While subtle changes to your prescription may go unnoticed, you’ll realize how much clearer, sharper and more focused everything is once you grab your new pair of glasses. You may even find that your ability to focus at work or school increases considerably too as you are no longer squinting or straining your eyes when sitting behind your desk or trying to read.
  • You get better peace of mind. According to a recent study, around 53% of adults are concerned about sight loss. Regular appointments with your optometrist can help protect and preserve your vision, through interventive treatment methods and guidance. They can also provide you with the appropriate support and guidance if you are experiencing severe vision loss. It's important to remember that loss of sight can sometimes be inevitable, but with the right support systems in place, there are resources that you can rely on during this time - taking care of your health gives you access to these sooner, rather than later.
  • You get a better understanding of eye health. Another benefit associated with regular eye doctor appointments is that they provide you with better insight into your visual health, and the steps you can take to take better care of your vision moving forward. For example, they may provide you with useful tips that you can follow to reduce eye strain, such as limiting the amount of time you spend behind the screen, or wearing sunglasses in bright light.

Frequently Asked Questions

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