From eye exams to Lasik surgery to corneal scratches there are many reasons that one may be looking for an eye doctor and getting an expert is a fundamental health care decision. In any case, one will be trusting the individual to protect his precious sense of sight and assist him to maintain a life of good vision. As such, it is good to find a doctor with qualifications that matches one needs. While embarking on the search for the best eye doctor Encino presidents must know that there are two types of eye doctors, an ophthalmologist and an optometrist.

Ophthalmologists are medical or osteopathic doctors who focus on eye and vision care. These experts are trained to perform eye exams, make a diagnosis and treat disease, advocate medications and effect eye surgery. They also write prescriptions when in need of contact lenses as well as eyeglasses. These professionals have completed medical school, internship as well as residency.

An optometrist, on the other hand, has completed four years of specialized training following an undergraduate study. The expert might offer many basic eye care services like eye exams as well as diagnosis of some eye related diseases. Optometrists may participate in pre- and post-operative care if one has eye surgery done by an ophthalmologist.

You should also note that there is another group, which is the opticians. These however are not experts but are important to the eye care team. Opticians use prescriptions given by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist to fit and offer contact lenses, eyeglasses including other eye wear. A lot of people mistake them to be professionals in eye problems and once they visit them they forget about seeking more help.

In some states, opticians must be licensed and have finished an opticianry training course. However, some states do not make it a must for these care providers to have licensure or formal training. Some countries even allow opticians to fit contact lenses, usually after completing a certification program. However, you can get names of good eye care experts from opticians to obtain the right treatment.

You should be able to determine the type of eye care expert you need before you visit any of them. You may be having a serious problem and you decide to go to an optician who will only prescribe some eye drop. This will not help solve the problem but make it worse. Make sure that the person you seek help from is familiar with the type of problem you have to get the right medical treatment.

Researching the doctor's credentials is important to be sure that you are leaving an important part of your body in the right hands. One should also try to find out which schools the expert went to, where he did his residency, area of expertise and if he is certified by the relevant body. Knowing all these will provide one with peace of mind.

Once one has determined that the person meets his eye care needs, is passably experienced for the type of care he needs and is well recommended, it is good to determine if he is located close to the office or his home. Time is key, and one ought not to spend a lot of it to acquire quality eye care.