Choosing the right ophthalmologist｜What even a doctor doesn’t know? When most people have an eye problem, they go straight to the hospital, register for an ophthalmologist, and leave the rest to the doctor? I guess many people don’t consider whether the doctor you are seeing is an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. Some of you may be asking, “Do you need to consider this too? Is there a difference? Let Zhen answer you: there is a big difference! In fact, in Europe and the United States, both ophthalmologists and optometrists have prescriptive authority, and many patients are confused about the differences between the two. In fact, in Europe and the United States, both ophthalmologists and optometrists have prescriptive authority, and many patients are confused about the differences between the two. Ophthalmologists vs. optometrists A. The difference between the concepts Ophthalmologist (Medical Doctor), referred to as MD in the industry, mainly diagnoses and treats diseases that occur in the eyes. Optometrists (Doctor of Optometry), referred to as OD in the industry, mainly improve and train the visual function of the eye. Differences in experience Ophthalmologists must go through clinical medical school and receive several years of professional eye care and surgical training before becoming qualified ophthalmologists. Optometrists, on the other hand, undergo professional training at optometric colleges, which includes problem solving, eyeglass and contact lens fitting, as well as basic eye examinations, initial diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, complex eye refraction and treatment of binocular vision problems, before they can obtain an optometrist degree. Differences in skills In foreign countries, ophthalmologists and optometrists each have their own strengths, but also intersect with each other. If you do not know enough about optometrists, the following are some frequently asked questions to help you understand more about the big difference in binocular prescriptions There are many patients in China with big differences in binocular prescriptions (patients with more than 250 degrees of binocular prescriptions are called refractive error); however, in general optical stores with frames, you often cannot get a comfortable fit because of the big difference in binocular prescriptions and the big difference in image size, which can produce double vision The reason is that the difference between the prescription of both eyes and the size of the image is large, which will produce double vision, double vision, and severe visual fatigue. Therefore, it is necessary to find a professional optometrist to fit glasses for refractive error eyes. Under the special fitting principles, the optometrist will suggest different prescription solutions for each patient’s situation and needs. Poor night vision Some people often complain that their vision is good during the day, but when they drive at night, they have blurred vision or reduced vision. Poor night vision is more often caused by refractive problems (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism) than by eye diseases (e.g. macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa), as ruled out by ophthalmologists. Especially at night, the pupils become larger and the ability to focus light is particularly poor, and blurred vision and double vision are aggravated compared to daytime. For night vision loss caused by refractive problems, the optometrist will give professional optometric advice through a special night vision examination and standard medical optometry. For patients with fundus diseases (e.g., macular degeneration, retinal detachment), the refractive power of the eye may change. After the ophthalmologist determines that the condition has stabilized, the optometrist will perform another medical optometry for these patients.