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Optometry vs. Ophthalmology

At New York Ophthalmology, we offer eye care to everyone. We have 5 locations to serve patients in NYC, in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan. Our eye doctors and ophthalmologists in New York are available to provide high-quality eye care for people throughout New York. With a team of ophthalmologists and optometrists to perform eye exams, and provide glaucoma care, retina care, allergy eye care, and pediatric eye care, we are here to provide for all of your eye care needs.

According to the CDC’s Vision Health Initiative, approximately 93 million adults in the US are at a high risk of vision loss, but only half of them have sought eye care in the past 12 months. With an increase in chronic diseases like glaucoma and cataracts, dry eyes, and rising cases of diabetes, we at New York Ophthalmology realize the importance of eye care in our community.

We facilitate patients throughout New York, but most people don’t know which eye care provider to consult for troubling vision. General practitioners recommend optometrists or ophthalmologists for eye care, but who are they and how can they help?

Optometry

Optometrists are primary vision care providers who are trained to examine and diagnose vision impairments such as astigmatism, myopia, and amblyopia. They are healthcare professionals with 4 years of rigorous training to certify them as Doctors of Optometry (OD).

They conduct eye exams and detect vision impairments, and handle preoperative and postoperative care in many cases. Additionally, they can specialize in fields like contact lenses, vision therapy, and ocular disease, making them you’re go-to for primary eye care.

Ophthalmology

This is a branch of medicine concerning all aspects of the eye. A medical doctor with an MD must specialize in ophthalmology under a residency program and then apply for a physician’s license, or specialty license, depending on their State.

Ophthalmologists are full-spectrum eye-care specialists. Their education and training make them experts in medicine and surgery involved in detecting and treating various eye diseases and impairments. Additionally, ophthalmologists may further specialize and conduct research in a sub-field of eye care such as glaucoma, vitreoretinal disorders and surgery, cornea, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, or ocular oncology (eye cancer care).

Your primary care physician or optometrist may direct you towards an ophthalmologist given the severity of eye care required is out of their expertise or doesn’t fall under their scope of practice. Ophthalmologists are better equipped to handle cases that require immediate and extensive surgery. Sometimes you may experience rare ocular ailments that are difficult to diagnose and treat.

It is understandable that people get anxious when it comes to ailments regarding their vision, as it is the sense they most depend on. Here at New York Ophthalmology, we uphold their concerns. Our optometrists and ophthalmologists work side-by-side to give our patients the healthcare they deserve quickly and effectively.

If you need a routine eye exam or need a more advanced vision treatment, please contact us using the online form to request an appointment or call our office at (866) 599-8774.

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