When do you visit your vision doctor?

The type of eye specialist you find may depend on the overall health of your eyes. You may need to visit an eye specialist for example if you have complicated eye diseases or vision problems. Other times it may be totally ok to visit an optician or optometrist for basic eye care. For example:An ophthalmologist (MD) is a medical doctor who specializes in the eye. They perform eye exams, treat disease, prescribe medication, and perform surgery. They may also write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses.Typically, vision loss takes place when a disease has already established a stronghold. A much better treatment approach to vision loss includes addressing symptoms before they occur, not after. Most people assume that lack of vision loss is equivalent to proper eye health, but this may or may not be true.A few tests are evergreen: the trusty eye chart, which gives a basic idea of what you can see; a refraction test, in which you look through a machine to determine your exact prescription needs; a cover test, using a paddle, which reveals how well your eye muscles work together; a test for glaucoma; and a "slit lamp" examination and retinal exam, which look for diseases inside your eye.Be sure to screen eye specialists to find an optometrist who will do the comprehensive testing you require and will be able to give the assistance you need to correct any eyesight problems.