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Office FAQs


What is the difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist?

The distinction between an Ophthalmologist, an Optometrist, and an Optician is a source of confusion for many people. While all are concerned with eye care, there are extreme differences between them. Understanding of these differences, including education, training, and scope of patient care performed is critical when choosing an eye care provider for you or your family.

What is an Ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D.) who specializes in all aspects of eye care including diagnosis, management, and surgery of ocular diseases and disorders. They provide primary eye care services including eye exams and prescribe medications and perform surgical procedures, such as laser surgery and lens replacement. Using both surgical and non-invasive techniques, ophthalmologists diagnose and manage eye diseases, conditions, and disorders, and treat and repair eye injuries.

An ophthalmologist receives a minimum of 12 years of education, including 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 1 or more years of general clinical training, and 3 or more years in a hospital-based ophthalmic residency program, often followed by 1 or more years of subspecialty fellowship. They must then pass a licensing examination.

Though most ophthalmologists practice what is known as”general” or”comprehensive” ophthalmology, some choose to specialize in a particular part of the eye (such as the retina or the muscles around the eye) or type of condition or disease (such as glaucoma). If the ophthalmologist wishes to specialize, he or she must complete a fellowship of an additional year or more.

A common misconception about ophthalmologists is that they are not primary eye care providers. That is simply not true. Ophthalmologists provide total eye care, from performing a check-up to managing a complicated disease. In fact, although there are almost twice as many practicing optometrists as ophthalmologists, about 25% of the nation’s refractions and eye examinations are performed by ophthalmologists.

As medical doctors, ophthalmologists are regulated by state medical boards.

What is an Optometrist?

Optometrists provide routine vision care. The practice of optometry traditionally involves examining the eye for the purpose of prescribing and dispensing corrective lenses and vision screening to detect certain eye abnormalities. An optometrist receives a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and is licensed to practice optometry, not medicine. An optometrist may have only 6 years of post-high school training, consisting of 2-4 years of college and 4 years in an optometric college.

Beyond refractive abnormalities, an optometrist’s training includes limited exposure to patients with eye disorders or health problems. Didactic training in medical, pharmaceutical and ocular subjects averages approximately 1 year.

What is an Optician?

An optician fits, adjusts and dispenses eyeglasses or corrective lenses that are prescribed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. An optician cannot examine the eyes for disorders or prescribe contact lenses, glasses, or medication.

Q: My eyes burn all the time and my vision blurs sometimes with it, what do I do?

A: Burning and foreign body sensation can usually mean you have a disorder of the eyelids and interferes with the production of a good tear film called Blepharitis. Blepharitis is a localized inflammation of the eyelids sometimes due to bacteria in and around the eyelids and there are different forms. Sometimes warm compresses applied to the eyes twice daily along with lid scrubs (Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo diluted with warm water applied to a wash cloth and used to scrub your eyelids) and artificial tears usually makes the eyes feel better.

Q: How often should I have an eye exam?







Q: Is LASIK safe?





Q: Is LASIK right for me?




Q: My child wears glasses. Is he/she eligible for LASIK surgery?

A: Throughout childhood and the teens, a person’s vision often does not remain stable. The body is constantly developing and changing. LASIK is a permanent procedure. For this reason, LASIK may not be performed on minors. Once your child is 18 or older, and his or her glasses or contacts prescription has been stable for at least a year or two, he or she may wish to consider LASIK corrective eye surgery.

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Takle Eye Group
646 S 8th Street
Griffin, GA 30224

Phone: 770-228-3836
Fax: 770-412-1733

8:00AM - 5:00PM Monday through Friday

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