Questions and Answers

Q: What is the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist and an optician?
An ophthalmologist has a medical degree, is licensed to practice medicine and is able to perform eye surgery as well as diagnose and treat all eye diseases. They are also able to prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses.

An optometrist has a specific degree in optometry. They are qualified to determine the need for glasses and contact lenses, prescribe optical correction and screen and treat various eye conditions.

An optician is trained to fit and dispense eyeglasses or contact lenses based upon the prescription from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Q: How often should I have my eyes examined?
The frequency of your scheduled eye exams may depend on a number of factors, such as age, past history of vision problems and medical conditions such as diabetes that can increase one’s risk for complications. Generally, it is recommended that adults who wear correctional eyeglasses or contact lenses receive an annual eye exam in order to ensure healthy vision.  Adults under the age of forty who do not currently experience vision problems should still see an ophthalmologist every two to three years.

Q: Do I still need regular eye exams even if I do not need eyeglasses or contact lenses?
Yes. Eye exams are not just necessary for people with current problems with their vision. They are also vital for the detection of future problems. Many eye diseases do not have obvious early symptoms. Early detection of these conditions can be essential to limiting future vision loss.

Q: What is visual impairment?
Visual impairment occurs when neither of your eyes can see better than 20/60 without improvement from glasses or contacts. In addition, poor night vision, limited side vision, double vision and loss of vision of one eye are also considered visual impairments.

Q: What steps can I take to prevent vision problems?
A healthy lifestyle is imperative to maintaining healthy eyes and good vision. Today’s world can be very visually demanding. Many jobs require staring at computer screens for long periods of time, causing visual stress. Adults can help prevent vision problems by:

• Eat Healthily - Include five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Food such as leafy, green vegetables and fish are high in the antioxidants that are important to healthy vision.
• Don’t Smoke - Smoking is not only bad for your lungs, but also exposes the eyes to high levels of chemicals. Smoking can increase the risk for developing age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Exercise Regularly - Regular exercise improves circulation, increasing blood flow and oxygen to the eyes.
• Use Proper Lighting - Overhead lights can be harsh and often brighter than necessary. When possible, consider turning some lights off and using desk lamps to provide a more comfortable lighting environment.
• Wear Sunglasses - Sunglasses are important to protecting the eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays when outdoors. Choose sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection.

Q: My work requires me to work with a computer for long periods of time. What can I do to prevent eye strain?
There are a couple of things you can do at work to prevent eye strain. Position the top of your computer monitor just below eye level to reduce strain on the eyes. Adjust screen brightness and avoid screen glare to also reduce stress on the eyes. In addition, when staring at a computer screen for a long period of time, remember to periodically give your eyes a chance to rest. Make sure you look away from the screen for a couple minutes every hour to allow your eyes to readjust.

Q: Can I use my eyeglass prescription to buy contact lenses?
No. An eyeglass prescription does not provide specific information about lens diameter, thickness, and base curve. For this reason, your eyeglass prescription and contact lens prescriptions are not interchangeable.

Q: What do I do if I have other questions?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any one of our University Eye Specialists locations.