Vision Institute of Michigan

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor with four years of undergraduate training, four years of medical school, a one-year internship, followed by three years of specialized surgical training in eye care. An ophthalmologist provides you with comprehensive care for your eyes which includes optical care as well as medical and surgical care.

An optometrist attends four years of undergraduate training and four years of certified optometry training but does not complete a medical residency or train in surgical procedures. While an optometrist may diagnose conditions with the eye, they are not trained to perform eye surgery.

While an optometrist is qualified to assess your vision and may diagnose certain disorders of the eye, only an ophthalmologist is qualified to give you a full range of health care diagnoses and procedures to correct vision or treat eye conditions and diseases. When you choose to see an ophthalmologist in Detroit, you are choosing a medical doctor who can provide you and your family with comprehensive care for your eyes.

While it is important for all children to see an ophthalmologist, there are some children who require specialized care. If your child experienced premature birth, is prone to squinting, blinking, or winking, strains or twists his head to see, has a family history of certain diseases, has type 1 diabetes, eyes which are not straight, or has eyes that are constantly tearing it is important to have your child’s eyes closely monitored by an ophthalmologist.

If your eyes are healthy, an optometrist can perform eye exams and update your prescription for corrective lenses whenever you need. If you have experienced rapid changes in your vision or have certain health conditions, an ophthalmologist can perform all of the tasks of an optometrist but is also qualified to treat a variety of medical conditions of the eye and to perform corrective surgeries. You should plan to see an ophthalmologist if:

• You have lost or are losing vision in one or both of your eyes
• You are experiencing “flashes” of light
• There are lines or streaks of light in your field of vision
• You are experiencing halos or double vision
• There are spots in your field of vision
• Your ability to perceive color has changed
• You have an eye condition or disease

There are many eye conditions or medical conditions which affect the eyes which are not obvious through symptoms until the disease has advanced. It is important to catch conditions like diabetes or glaucoma in the early stages, so they are treated quickly and appropriately. There are many conditions which can only be identified through routine eye exams by an ophthalmologist. When you have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist, you can be sure that any underlying or “silent” medical conditions which affect your eyes can be seen and treated quickly.

It is recommended by both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Ophthalmology that a brief eye exam be conducted before a newborn leaves the hospital. In your child’s early years, your pediatrician will monitor his or her vision and the function of his or her eyes at two, four, and six months. If there are any abnormalities detected, your pediatrician will refer you to an ophthalmologist for further screening. When your child is three years of age, he or she will be tested for conditions such as amblyopia, and refractive and alignment screenings will begin.

If you have an eye emergency or injury, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist or visit the nearest emergency room. Avoid rubbing or applying pressure to the affected eye and try to protect it with a clean, sterile covering until you receive professional evaluation and treatment.