Opticians, Optometrists, and Ophthalmologists ... What do they do?

(Remedy Below)

Opticians are medical technicians specializing in creating eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Optometrists are eye care professionals (not medical doctors). They receive a doctor of optometry (OD) degree. They provide primary vision care ranging from sight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment and management of vision changes.

Ophthalmologist are medical doctors who specialize in eye and vision care, diagnoses and treat all eye diseases, perform eye surgery and prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems.

I have had 20/20 vision most of my life. Even now at age 67, I have 20/25 vision and only use glasses for reading. BUT... I have had issues and problems for YEARS!! I kept going to opticians and optometrists complaining of light sensitivity, telescoping vision (my eyes feeling like a robot zooming in/out on objects), irritated/itchy eyes, dry eyes, double vision, and probably more I don't even remember. After many years I did find one optometrist that prescribed slight prisms for the double vision; but all the other symptoms persisted. They had me believing I was being a hypochondriac and complaining too much. After all I had 20/20-ish vision; what else could I want? The last year or so, my eyes were so itchy and sensitive to light that I was actually feeling old; I thought it was an age thing.

Finally, I remembered my mom telling me (as a young child) about the difference in seeing an ophthalmologist. I found one this year. He is/was GREAT!! He let me know that I had been having eye-migraines. I had high pressure in both eyes and also needed to gently scrub my eyelashes daily to remove dead cells etc. ... all still having 20/25 vision. After a few minor procedures, my eyes feel great!! I have gone back to using my glasses the way I did ten years ago...

If you are having persistent eye complaints, give yourself a treat— see an Ophthalmologist....