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What are the different types of eye doctors?

Opticians can assist you in correctly selecting and fitting your prescription eyeglasses. They can help you choose frames, lenses, and lens coatings. Opticians spend lots of time working with patients to ensure they go away comfortable and organized to use whatever lenses they get correctly. They are technicians who alter the eyewear for the client and update or repair damaged eyeglass frames. An optician educates clients on eyewear, such as proper cleansing or contact care.

Optometrists (doctors of optometry) are trained specialists. A certified optometrist can prescribe medications, offer vision therapy, treat eye conditions, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, make health assessments, perform eye examinations and vision checks, and detect harm and vision defects symptoms. Ophthalmologists are medically trained professionals who can perform eye surgeries. They are qualified to treat all eye-related disorders. Patients may visit ophthalmologists to treat eye infections, glaucoma, cataract surgery, corneal transplants, retinal problems, etc. Optometrists attend four years of optometry school, and unlike ophthalmologists, they do not need to complete medical school.

Qualifications of eye doctors in the U.S.

The educational backgrounds of different types of eye doctors in the U.S. differ significantly. To become a licensed optician in the U.S., one must complete a 1-2 year certificate, degree, or diploma course. All optometrists go through a four-year course to obtain a doctor of optometry. Fellowships in several optometry specialties are also available; these provide additional clinical training and experience in specific fields.

On the other hand, Ophthalmologists study for at least 12 years to legally practice in the U.S. Becoming an ophthalmologist in the U.S. includes

• Four years of undergraduate study.
• Four years of medical school.
• One year of internship.
• Three years of residency in ophthalmology.

Several ophthalmologists pursue additional fellowships, which take another one to two years to complete. Ophthalmology specialty fellowship programs are available in cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, corneal transplantation, ophthalmic plastic, refractive eye surgery, and reconstructive surgery.

Some easy ways to maintain your eye health 

While it is essential to make frequent visits to an eye doctor near you for routine scans and check-ups, it is even more beneficial to take care of your eye and ensure that you maintain optimum eye health on your own. You can care for your eyes by teaching a few simple habits in your routine. Here are some ways to maintain your eye health - 

• Eating healthy—What you eat is vital to your eye health. Ensure you eat a lot of nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits, especially leafy green vegetables, to help you maintain healthy eyesight. Adding seafood, like salmon, tuna, and halibut, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can be extremely helpful for your eyes.  
• Exercising regularly - Keeping yourself physically healthy prevents or controls high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. These diseases can also lead to eye problems, so it is vital to regulate your physical health. Having diabetes puts you at a considerably higher risk of getting diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma. Regular exercise can reduce the likelihood of developing diseases and decrease the risk of experiencing eye and vision-related issues. 
• Wearing protective eye gear—Losing vision or damaging eyesight is very easy when working in accident-prone environments. Working in factories, construction sites, and on repairs can be dangerous, and it is best to take safety precautions and wear protective eye gear while performing such tasks. 
• Wearing sunglasses—The sun's harmful rays can damage our eyes and increase our risk of contracting macular degeneration or cataracts. You must protect your eyes by blocking out the UV-A and UV-B radiation and wearing sunglasses whenever you go out in the sun. 
• Avoid smoking - Smoking can be highly harmful to your eyesight. Smoking can harm your optic nerve and significantly increase your risk of developing age-related eye problems like macular degeneration and cataracts.  
• Making frequent visits to the doctor - Visiting an eye doctor near you for regular check-ups can help you identify any potential risks so you can treat them preemptively. It can also help prevent any severe eyesight issues from creeping up. 

What should you consider before choosing an eye specialist?

Choosing an eye specialist is contingent on your requirements.

• Exams and medications - Optometrists or ophthalmologists can perform eye exams. Both can prescribe contact lenses or spectacles.
• Unique contact lens fits—An optometrist is typically preferable for contact lens wearers. Optometrists specialize in complex contact lens fittings and are often the best choice for that examination.
• Laser and other procedures—An ophthalmologist is the best choice if you are considering laser surgery or need different approaches.
• Serious eye problems—Consult a specialist if you have a significant issue, such as severe macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.

Types of eye issues and when to seek help

Optometrists can precisely diagnose your eye infection using specialized technology and provide advice if the results show indicators of any eye diseases or problems. Suppose your symptoms point to an eye disease or a chronic infection. In that case, your optometrist may recommend you to an ophthalmologist specializing in eye surgery and disease treatment.

You can visit an eye doctor near you for several reasons, such as:

• Conjunctivitis bacterial (pink eye): Bacteria attack the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering your eyeball, causing this frequent eye infection. It might manifest itself in one or both eyes. Burning, itchy eyes and a thick yellow pus-like discharge are signs of bacterial pink eye.

Due to the crust buildup, it can be challenging to open your eyes when this discharge hardens overnight. Antibiotic eye drops, ointments, and oral treatments can help with bacterial pink eye. Your eye doctor will recommend treatment for at least five days, and your symptoms should improve within a few days of finishing it.

• Styes: Styes are sensitive red bumps on your upper eyelid. A clogged oil gland on the eyelash line causes inflammation and the tell-tale red spot in this bacterial eye infection. Styes affect one eye but are contagious and can spread to the other if not treated quickly. Other symptoms include redness, eye pain, swelling, etc. While styes go away independently in 3 to 5 days, several therapies can help speed healing.
• Infections with viruses: Viral illnesses are highly contagious. The most common form of viral disease is viral pink eye.
• Herpes ocular: Herpes simplex virus causes ocular herpes. The infection can remain dormant in the nerves for a lifetime, but sometimes, outbreaks occur. Some symptoms of ocular herpes include puffiness around the eyes, tearing, irritation, eyesores, etc. If it's ocular herpes, consult your eye doctor to diagnose the virus and prescribe an antiviral medicine.
• Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a common eye problem. It occurs when your cornea or lens has a different shape than usual, which can cause blurry or distorted vision. Other symptoms of this condition include eye strain, headaches, and trouble seeing at night. An eye exam is the only way to determine if you have astigmatism, and eyeglasses or contact lenses can help manage its symptoms.
• Amblyopia: Amblyopia (lazy eye) causes poor vision. It occurs due to a breakdown in how your brain and eyes work together, resulting in your brain not recognizing the sight from one of your eyes and relying more on the other eye over time. Amblyopia starts in childhood and is more common in children who were born early and/or smaller than average at birth, have a family history of eye problems, or have developmental disabilities.
• Dry eyes: Dry eye happens when your eyes do not produce enough tears or when your tears do not function well enough to keep your eyes wet. This can make your eyes feel uncomfortable and, in some cases, cause vision problems. Symptoms of dry eyes include red eyes, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and stinging or burning sensations in your eye. You can manage dry eyes easily with the help of over-the-counter eye drops, prescription medicines, and lifestyle changes like drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day and getting adequate sleep. Your eye doctor can also recommend tear duct plugs or surgery in more severe cases.

How to find a top-rated eye doctor near you in Baltimore, Maryland?

Knowing and acknowledging your eye symptoms is the first step toward recovery. The next is to find an eye doctor qualified to diagnose and treat your condition.

Zocdoc can help you search for top-rated eye doctors in your neighborhood in Baltimore. With the Zocdoc platform, you can easily find a high-quality eye doctor in Baltimore in just a few clicks. You can also easily find eye doctors in your vicinity and those in your insurance network.

Using Zocdoc’s insurance detector, you can quickly identify in-network providers near you. When booking an appointment on Zocdoc, the website prompts you to share details about your insurance or to acknowledge that you are paying out-of-pocket. Some healthcare providers need you to provide insurance information to schedule appointments. If you do not have insurance or do not want to use insurance for your appointment, you can always find another suitable eye doctor near you on Zocdoc. For more insurance-related queries, check Zocdoc's patient help center.

Most providers on the platform feature verified reviews and ratings from their older patients, thus empowering you to make a well-rounded, informed choice. Zocdoc allows you to book and manage your appointments with your providers for free. All bookings are safe and secure on the forum.

Eye-related statistics in Baltimore

According to the "Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics" report published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2021, around 630 optometrists, 140 ophthalmologists, and 1,240 opticians were legally practicing in Maryland.

The Vision Health Initiative (VHI) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) publishes reports on the impact of vision impairment in the states in the U.S. According to the Maryland State Profile, close to 108,000 people in the state are entirely blind or experience extreme difficulty seeing even with glasses. Around 21% of people with diabetes, 35% with arthritis, and 40% having mobility issues also had severe vision impairment. During the same year, almost 36% of people over 65 had a fall because of a lack of vision.

Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS) is a part of the VHI of the CDC. VEHSS brings annual prevalence rates for vision loss and significant eye disorders for all the states in the U.S. According to their report from 2018, in Maryland, the yearly prevalence of age-related macular degeneration was approximately 18.34%, while for cataracts, it was around 46.03%. During the same year, the prevalence of diagnosed glaucoma was about 22.73%, and infectious and inflammatory diseases of the eyes accounted for somewhere close to 57.21%. Cancers and other neoplasms of the eye had a prevalence rate of around 2.77%. In comparison, almost 0.24% of the people were blind or had extremely low vision.

Sources

Eye Care Plus

Cleveland Clinic

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

WebMD

American College of Surgeons

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System

Medline Plus

National Eye Institute[1]

National Eye Institute[2]

National Eye Institute[3]

National Eye Institute[4]

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.