Want to know more? Listen to our interview on OFM.
Yolanda Maartens spoke to Dr. Niel Van Wyk, ophthalmologist, refractive surgeon, director and founder of Free State Eye and Laser Centre, to find out more about how they can help you. Listen here:
More info on Ophthalmology
What is Ophthalmology?
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eyeball and orbit. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye disease.
Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye exams, diagnose and treat disease, prescribe medications and perform eye surgery.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists and opticians in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and treat. As a medical doctor who has completed college and at least eight years of additional medical training, an ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine and surgery.
Which Eye Doctor Should I See: An Optometrist Or An Ophthalmologist?
If your eyes are healthy and don’t require specialized medical or surgical treatment, the type of eye doctor you choose for a routine eye exam is a matter of personal preference.
Optometrists and ophthalmologists both perform routine eye exams and both types of eye doctors are trained to detect, diagnose and manage eye diseases that require medical and non-medical treatment.
