Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Rehoboth Eye Services FAQ section.
Here, you’ll find clear answers to common questions about our eye care services, appointments, treatments, and what to expect during your visit. Our goal is to help you feel informed, comfortable, and confident about your eye health every step of the way.
What Is the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist and an optician?
- An Ophthalmologist (MD)is first trained as a medical doctor, and then goes on to have another six years of specialist training to be licensed to practice medicine and perform eye surgery. An ophthalmologist will have at least 12 years of education and training after high school and is qualified to diagnose and treat all eye diseases; perform surgery; prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses.
- An Optometrist (OD) has a degree in optometry and is licensed to practice optometry. An optometrist has had at least six years of education and training beyond high school and is qualified to determine the need for glasses and contact lenses; prescribe optical correction; and screen for some eye conditions.
- An Optician usually has a combination of college (or two years of opticianry school) and on-the-job training. An optician is trained to fit and dispense eyeglasses or contact lenses based upon a prescription from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist.
- Other members of the eye health team include:
Ophthalmic nurse who after her training as RN or BSN obtains additional year or two training in ophthalmic nursing to care for patients who need medical attention for eye injuries or diseases. An ophthalmic nurse assists in the assessment, treatment and care for patients with a variety of eye diseases or injurie
Community eye health assistant is a community health worker or volunteer within that community trained to provide basic eye care, conduct screenings, promote eye health awareness, and refer individuals to specialized care, bridging the gap between communities and professional eye services, especially in underserved areas.
Just how often should I get my eyes checked?
This depends on your age, your eye health, your overall health and your family history of eye health amongst others.
For babies, early screenings detect conditions like Retinopathy of prematurity which can lead to visual loss and strabismus which can cause serious visual impairment
- First 4-6 weeks examination should be done especially for premature babies and low birth weight babies. These babies are often referred by their doctor(neonatologist) to the ophthalmologist for detailed examination
- Infants(6months) first comprehensive eye exam
- Toddlers(3years) follow-up examination
- Pre-school(5-6years) vision screening
- School age(6-18years) annual exam
Adult examinations of the eyes should be performed on a regular basis.
- 20 – 3 years recommended to have their eyes examined every three-five years.
- 40 – 64 years recommended to have their eyes examined every two-four years.
- Over 65 years of age should have their eyes examined every one-two years.
High risk adults need more frequent examination and your ophthalmologist will tell you. These include:
- People with diabetes
- People with glaucoma
- Strong family history of glaucoma
- People with AIDS/HIV
- Pathological myopia
What causes red eye
In children red eye is most often caused by conjunctivitis (pink eye), which can be viral, bacterial, or allergic. Other causes include allergens like dust or pollen, irritants from smoke or pollutants, foreign body in the eye, or eye injury.
Causes in adults are similar but in addition, other causes include dry eye syndrome and contact lens complications, blepharitis or even sight threatening conditions like acute angle closure glaucoma, acute anterior uveitis or even corneal ulcers.
Red eye with intense eye pains, reduction in vision, vomiting should be seen as an emergency and an ophthalmologist contacted immediately
Why do my eyes itch?
This could be as a result of allergies, environmental pollutants, dry eyes, eye strain and some conditions affecting the eye
Which member of the eye health team should I see if I have an eye problem?
Who to see first depends on your problem and location. If you have a problem that affects your distant or near vision or some other minor problem, see an optometrist. For detailed eye examination more serious problems that will require medical or/and surgical care, you must see an ophthalmologist. If you are far from where any of these is available, see an ophthalmic nurse or community eye health worker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Rehoboth Eye Services FAQ section.
Here, you’ll find clear answers to common questions about our eye care services, appointments, treatments, and what to expect during your visit. Our goal is to help you feel informed, comfortable, and confident about your eye health every step of the way.
What Is the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist and an optician?
- An Ophthalmologist (MD)is first trained as a medical doctor, and then goes on to have another six years of specialist training to be licensed to practice medicine and perform eye surgery. An ophthalmologist will have at least 12 years of education and training after high school and is qualified to diagnose and treat all eye diseases; perform surgery; prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses.
- An Optometrist (OD) has a degree in optometry and is licensed to practice optometry. An optometrist has had at least six years of education and training beyond high school and is qualified to determine the need for glasses and contact lenses; prescribe optical correction; and screen for some eye conditions.
- An Optician usually has a combination of college (or two years of opticianry school) and on-the-job training. An optician is trained to fit and dispense eyeglasses or contact lenses based upon a prescription from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist.
- Other members of the eye health team include:
Ophthalmic nurse who after her training as RN or BSN obtains additional year or two training in ophthalmic nursing to care for patients who need medical attention for eye injuries or diseases. An ophthalmic nurse assists in the assessment, treatment and care for patients with a variety of eye diseases or injurie
Community eye health assistant is a community health worker or volunteer within that community trained to provide basic eye care, conduct screenings, promote eye health awareness, and refer individuals to specialized care, bridging the gap between communities and professional eye services, especially in underserved areas.
Just how often should I get my eyes checked?
This depends on your age, your eye health, your overall health and your family history of eye health amongst others.
For babies, early screenings detect conditions like Retinopathy of prematurity which can lead to visual loss and strabismus which can cause serious visual impairment
- First 4-6 weeks examination should be done especially for premature babies and low birth weight babies. These babies are often referred by their doctor(neonatologist) to the ophthalmologist for detailed examination
- Infants(6months) first comprehensive eye exam
- Toddlers(3years) follow-up examination
- Pre-school(5-6years) vision screening
- School age(6-18years) annual exam
Adult examinations of the eyes should be performed on a regular basis.
- 20 – 39 years recommended to have their eyes examined every three-five years.
- 40 – 64 years recommended to have their eyes examined every two-four years.
- Over 65 years of age should have their eyes examined every one-two years.
High risk adults need more frequent examination and your ophthalmologist will tell you. These include:
- People with diabetes
- People with glaucoma
- Strong family history of glaucoma
- People with AIDS/HIV
- Pathological myopia
What causes red eye
In children red eye is most often caused by conjunctivitis (pink eye), which can be viral, bacterial, or allergic. Other causes include allergens like dust or pollen, irritants from smoke or pollutants, foreign body in the eye, or eye injury.
Causes in adults are similar but in addition, other causes include dry eye syndrome and contact lens complications, blepharitis or even sight threatening conditions like acute angle closure glaucoma, acute anterior uveitis or even corneal ulcers.
Red eye with intense eye pains, reduction in vision, vomiting should be seen as an emergency and an ophthalmologist contacted immediately
Why do my eyes itch?
This could be as a result of allergies, environmental pollutants, dry eyes, eye strain and some conditions affecting the eye
Which member of the eye health team should I see if I have an eye problem?
Who to see first depends on your problem and location. If you have a problem that affects your distant or near vision or some other minor problem, see an optometrist. For detailed eye examination more serious problems that will require medical or/and surgical care, you must see an ophthalmologist. If you are far from where any of these is available, see an ophthalmic nurse or community eye health worker.
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