At Traverse City Eye, we’re excited to offer comprehensive eye care services with our dedicated team of eye care professionals. You might be wondering about the different types of eye doctors and who is best suited to meet your specific needs. We have both an Ophthalmologist and an Optometrist on staff, ensuring we can address a wide range of eye health concerns, from routine eye exams to advanced treatments like cataract surgery and dry eye management.
A common question we hear is about the distinctions between different eye care professionals. You may have encountered terms like MD, DO, and OD. Let’s clarify what these designations mean, particularly focusing on the role of an O.D. doctor, or Doctor of Optometry.
MD vs. DO: Similar Paths in Medical Eye Care
Both MD (Medical Doctor) and DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) are fully licensed physicians who practice medicine and surgery. The educational path for both is rigorous and quite similar:
- Undergraduate Degree: Four years of college to earn a Bachelor’s degree.
- Medical School: Four years of medical school, encompassing two years of classroom learning and two years of clinical rotations across various medical specialties.
- Internship: One year of general medicine internship.
- Residency: Three to four years of specialized residency training in a specific area, including focused surgical and medical training.
The curriculum in medical school and the qualifying exams for MDs and DOs are essentially the same. The primary difference lies in the philosophy of osteopathic medicine, which emphasizes a “whole person” approach to treatment and often incorporates osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT). In the context of eye care, both MDs and DOs can become Ophthalmologists, specializing in medical and surgical eye care.
The Expertise of an OD Doctor: Your Doctor of Optometry
Now, let’s turn our attention to OD doctors, or Doctors of Optometry. While the joke “Why do ODs live long lives? They di-late! :)” might be lighthearted, the profession is serious and vital for eye health. An OD doctor provides comprehensive eye care, and their education is specifically focused on the health of your eyes and visual system:
- Undergraduate Degree: Four years of college to obtain a Bachelor’s degree.
- Optometry School: Four years of specialized, competitive optometry school. This intensive training concentrates on all aspects of eye care, making them experts in eye examinations, contact lens fittings (including specialized lenses), eyeglasses prescriptions, and low vision services, among other areas.
Alt text: A close up of a female optometrist, an OD doctor, performing an eye exam on a male patient using a phoropter in a brightly lit clinic room.
Key Differences and When to See an OD Doctor vs. an Ophthalmologist (MD/DO)
Generally, you would see an Ophthalmologist (MD or DO) when your eye condition is related to a broader medical issue or requires surgical intervention. These visits are often billed medically because they address diagnosed medical conditions. Ophthalmologists are trained to handle complex eye diseases and perform surgeries.
An OD doctor, on the other hand, is your primary eye care provider. You should see an Optometrist for:
- Routine eye exams: Comprehensive check-ups to assess your vision and eye health.
- Vision correction: Prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct refractive errors.
- Contact lens fittings: Ensuring proper fit and comfort, especially for specialized contact lenses.
- Diagnosis and management of common eye conditions: Such as dry eye, glaucoma management (in collaboration with an Ophthalmologist), and macular degeneration monitoring.
- Pre- and post-operative care: For cataract and LASIK surgeries, often co-managed with an Ophthalmologist.
Understanding Your Visit and Vision Plan
It’s common to have follow-up appointments, especially when getting fitted for new contact lenses. Finding the perfect fit and ensuring your comfort may require multiple visits.
Your eye doctor will also routinely ask about your current glasses prescription and whether you’re satisfied with your vision. If you’re happy with your current prescription and don’t want an update, a refraction (the part of the exam that determines your prescription) won’t be performed, and you won’t be charged for it. However, if you do want to update your prescription, the refraction fee will be billed through your vision plan, if applicable.
At Traverse City Eye, we are here to answer all your questions and ensure you receive the best possible eye care. Whether you need a routine check-up with our OD doctor or require specialized medical or surgical eye care with our Ophthalmologist, we are equipped to meet your needs. We believe in providing clear information and quality service to all our patients.
Thank you for choosing Traverse City Eye for your vision care needs!
