Vision Problems

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Overview & Considerations

Loss of visual acuity, changes in vision, blurriness, or dimness of vision should always be urgently evaluated by a medical profesional. Changes may represent primary eye disease, aging, eye trauma, or a generalized (systemic) illness.

Whatever the cause, visual changes should never be ignored. Decreased vision is a significant threat to the quality of life. Professional help is always indicated, but which professional to see is often a question.

Here are some tips:

• An optician dispenses glasses and does not diagnose eye problems.
• An optometrist is a state-licensed health care professional who performs eye examinations and may diagnose and treat eye problems. They prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids, and vision therapy. In some states they are licensed to prescribe medicines in the form of eye drops to treat eye diseases.
• An ophthalmologist is a physician -- a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) -- who specializes in the diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of diseases of the eye and systemic diseases which involve the eyes. They may also provide routine vision care services, such as prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• Sometimes an eye problem is part of a general health problem. In these situations, your primary care provider should also be involved.