Your eyes are among your body's most delicate and complex organs, requiring specialized care to maintain optimal vision and long-term health. However, the different types of specialists—optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists—can sometimes cause confusion about eye care.
At Kelly Vision, we believe that understanding your eye health is the first step toward achieving clear, lasting vision. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly an ophthalmologist does and when you should see one, this guide will provide the clarity you need.
What Is an Ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) specializing in eye and vision care. Here’s what you need to know:
- Optometrists focus on routine eye exams and vision correction
- Alternatively, ophthalmologists undergo extensive medical training and are licensed to diagnose and treat complex eye diseases, perform surgeries, and prescribe medications
- Their expertise extends beyond vision correction to include medical and surgical management of a wide range of eye conditions
Dr. James Kelly brings decades of experience and advanced technology to provide expert ophthalmologic care, ensuring patients receive the highest level of treatment tailored to their unique vision needs.
What Does an Ophthalmologist Treat?
Ophthalmologists manage everything from routine eye exams to highly specialized surgical procedures. Some of the most common conditions they diagnose and treat include:
- Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that can impair vision, often requiring surgical removal and lens replacement
- Refractive errors and conditions like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, which may be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgical procedures like LASIK or EVO ICL
- Glaucoma, a group of diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve, often due to increased eye pressure, leading to potential vision loss if untreated
- Macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in older adults affecting central vision
- Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that can damage the retina and lead to vision impairment
- Dry eye syndrome, a chronic condition that affects tear production and eye lubrication, causing discomfort and blurred vision
- Corneal conditions, including infections, keratoconus, and corneal dystrophies that may require medical management or corneal transplants
- Retinal disorders, such as retinal detachment, macular holes, and other conditions that require surgical intervention
Also, ophthalmologists treat eye injuries, infections, and inflammatory conditions affecting vision.
When Should You See an Ophthalmologist?
While routine eye exams are essential for maintaining good vision, certain symptoms may indicate the need for specialized care from an ophthalmologist. Consider scheduling an appointment if you experience:
- Sudden vision changes, such as blurriness, double vision, or blind spots
- Frequent headaches or eye strain
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Flashes of light, floaters, or a shadow over your vision
- Eye pain, redness, or swelling
- A family history of eye disease, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration
At Kelly Vision, we believe in proactive eye care. Whether you're seeking preventive screenings, advanced surgical solutions, or personalized treatment plans, Dr. Kelly provides expert guidance every step of the way.
Ophthalmologists vs. Optometrists vs. Opticians: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the distinctions between different eye care professionals can help you determine which specialist is right for your needs:
| Specialist | Education & Training | What They Do |
| Ophthalmologist (MD/DO) | Medical school + 4+ years of residency and fellowship training | Diagnoses and treats eye diseases, performs surgeries, and prescribes vision correction and medications |
| Optometrist (OD) | Doctor of Optometry (4 years of optometry school) | Conducts eye exams, prescribes glasses and contacts, and detects some eye conditions |
| Optician |
Certification or associate degree (varies by state) |
Fits and dispenses glasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists or optometrists |
If you need specialized treatment beyond routine vision correction, an ophthalmologist is the highest level of eye care provider equipped to address both medical and surgical eye concerns.
Experience Expert Eye Care at Kelly Vision
At Kelly Vision, your eyesight is in the hands of a trusted leader in ophthalmology and vision correction. Dr. James Kelly, a renowned eye surgeon with over 20 years of experience and 50,000+ successful procedures, brings an unmatched level of skill and precision to every patient he treats.
As the Director of Refractive Surgery Education at Northwell Health and The Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, Dr. Kelly is at the forefront of the latest advancements in eye care, making Kelly Vision a premier destination for those seeking exceptional vision correction.
Take the first step toward clearer vision today. Schedule a consultation with Kelly Vision and experience expert eye care designed around you. We proudly serve patients in NYC and Long Island with a commitment to excellence in ophthalmology.
