Maybe you need to get some new contact lenses or eye glasses; maybe it’s time to research that cataract surgery you’ve been avoiding. Or, maybe you’re just looking for a basic eye exam to ensure those baby blues are healthy. Whatever the reason, it’s time to call the professionals at Medical Eye Center, in Columbia, MD, and make an appointment.

When it comes to finding an eye doctor, you have two options: an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. While both work in the eye care field and can prescribe eye glasses and contact lenses, they each have a different skill set. Here are the main differences between the two:

Ophthalmologist

This type of eye care professional is a medical doctor (MD) with a specialty in vision care. He or she can diagnose eye diseases, write prescriptions to treat them, and perform eye surgery and eye exams. An ophthalmologist spends a longer time in school than an optometrist and must finish four years of college, four years of medical school, an internship, and a three-year ophthalmology residency. 

Optometrist

This professional has earned the title “Doctor of Optometry,” (OD). He or she offers eye exams to look for vision problems and can prescribe eye glasses and contact lenses. However, the amount of medical care these eye doctors can provide is limited, depending on the requirements in different states. 

Which one should you choose? It depends on the level of eye care you need. Both can provide a basic eye exam for vision health and new contact lenses, but if you need a procedure, like cataract surgery, or help treating conditions like glaucoma or macular degeneration, contact the team at Medical Eye Center, Maryland’s best ophthalmologists. To make an appointment, call (410) 997-9900 or visit the website for a full list of vision care services.