Understanding the Roles of Eye Care Providers
For individuals who are DeafBlind, eye care can play a critical role in maintaining access, independence, and quality of life. Understanding the different roles of eye care providers can help you better navigate appointments, ask informed questions, and identify the supports that best meet your needs. Each provider brings a different area of expertise and knowing who does what, can make it easier to get the right care at the right time.
This resource provides an overview of the various eye care professionals you may work with, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, low vision specialists, and opticians, and how each can support different aspects of your vision needs.
Ophthalmologist:
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has specializations in medical and surgical treatment of the eyes and prevention of eye disease. Ophthalmologists are qualified to diagnose and treat all conditions that affect a person’s eyes or their vision including performing complex and delicate surgery on your eye. They treat and prescribe medication to improve or prevent further complications from vision related conditions. They can also prescribe eyeglasses and contacts. The ophthalmologist must complete four years of medical school, a one-year internship and three years of residency training in ophthalmology. They are licensed by state regulatory boards and are required to fulfill continuing education requirements.
Optometrist:
An optometrist is another professional who is an expert in providing eye care. Optometrists conduct eye examinations, prescribe corrective contact lenses and glasses and diagnose and treat eye diseases and disorders. Many states have passed legislation that permits optometrists to perform procedures such as laser treatments and injections for macular degeneration. Optometrists must have a bachelor’s degree before completing four years of optometry school and some do further training in a specialization. Optometrists are licensed by their state regulatory board and must complete continuing education requirements.
Low Vision Specialist:
A low vision specialist can be a board-certified optometrist, ophthalmologist or a person trained in low vision rehabilitation. These providers have additional credentials or specialization in low vision testing, diagnosis and treatment and can also conduct low vision eye examinations and prescribe special low vision optical and non-optical devices.
You may want to ask the optometrist or doctor you are working with if they have this specialization or can refer you to someone who does. A Low vision specialist can help you determine what devices, services and or accommodations could help maximize your residual vision, independence and quality of life.
If you’re experiencing significant vision loss, a low vision specialist can determine whether special optical and non-optical devices, improved lighting, or other types of specialized services and equipment can help make the best use of your remaining vision.
Optician:
An optician is an eye care professional who is trained to prepare and dispense eyeglasses, contact lenses and prosthetic eyes). Some opticians also supply low vision optical devices. A number of colleges and technical schools offer an associate’s degree in opticianry. Other colleges offer a one-year certificate.
Resource: Tips for Talking with Eye Care Providers
Because individuals with combined hearing and vision loss often face unique communication and access challenges, being prepared for appointments is especially important. For more specific guidance on what to ask, how to explain your access needs, and key topics to discuss with your provider, please refer to HKNC’s resource Tips for Talking with Eye Care Providers, which offers practical considerations tailored to the DeafBlind experience.
