Eye health covers more than just your vision. Your eyes can reveal a lot about what’s going on in other parts of your body. Even if you don’t have a prescription right now, experts advise establishing care with an eye doctor who can diagnose and treat ocular problems.
While your primary care provider may be comfortable checking for and treating eye problems, eye doctors have more specialized knowledge, training and equipment. “Very few primary care physicians have the same tools and technology as an eye doctor’s office to ensure an accurate diagnosis,” says Dr. Nathaniel Simmons, an ophthalmologist at Southtowns Eye Center near Buffalo, New York.
Here’s what to know about when to see an eye doctor for check-ups and problems.
What kind of eye doctor should you see?
Optometrists and ophthalmologists both treat problems that affect the eyes.
The main difference between the two specialties is that ophthalmologists are medical doctors who diagnose and treat eye diseases and can perform surgery, says Dr. Yuna Rapoport, an ophthalmologist at Manhattan Eye in New York City. If you have an eye disease that requires certain medical procedures, like LASIK vision correction or cataract surgery, you’ll need an ophthalmologist.
Optometrists specialize in treating vision problems, and they commonly measure for prescriptions. They can also check for and manage simple eye problems, such as dry eye. An optometrist can detect eye conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration, along with damage to the eye from uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure.
Simmons says the two eye specialists often work together. If your optometrist catches signs of glaucoma at a routine eye exam, they might refer you to an ophthalmologist; if you have an eye disease and you need new glasses, then your ophthalmologist will recommend an optometrist.
How often should someone see an eye doctor for a check-up?
If you don’t already have eye or vision problems, it’s still a good idea to check in with an eye doctor from time to time. Certain eye problems, such as glaucoma and melanoma, can progress to permanent vision loss if they’re not caught early.
If you don’t have glasses or significant medical issues, Rapoport recommends seeing an eye doctor every five years for a dilated exam, which allows the clinician to see the retina at the back of your eyeball. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure or take medication for autoimmune diseases, your risk of eye issues is higher, and you should have a dilated eye exam yearly. Same goes if you’re older than 65, after which your risk of ocular problems is higher.
If you have known vision problems or a disease that affects your eyes, you’ll need to check in more regularly, but how often depends on the issue. People with well-controlled glaucoma usually go once a year, but for those with severe symptoms, such as swelling or bleeding in the back of the eye for macular degeneration, visits could be monthly. If you have a less serious condition, like dry eyes, then you may need to see your eye doctor every few months.
What symptoms definitely need treatment from an eye doctor?
Symptoms that manifest in your eyes can signal an eye problem or a systemic condition, so it’s always a good idea to seek medical care if you’re not sure.
If you’re noticing changes in vision or difficulty seeing at a distance or up close, check in with an optometrist whenever you can — you may need a new prescription.
Certain symptoms warrant a trip straight to a medical doctor. Rapoport suggests seeing an ophthalmologist ASAP if you experience sudden loss of vision, straight lines that are suddenly wavy or pain in your eye. “Sometimes subtle symptoms can be a sign of something developing, so it’s a good idea to come in early,” she says.
If you’re unsure which type of doctor to see, an optometrist or your primary care provider can always refer you to an ophthalmologist if necessary. “It’s certainly reasonable to start with your primary care doctor if your vision is overall relatively unchanged and your symptoms are mild,” Simmons says.