What is an ophthalmologist? A Simple Guide for People With Myopia and Parents

If you or your child is nearsighted, you’ve probably wondered: what is an ophthalmologist, and do we need to see one? An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who specializes in eye and vision care. They diagnose and treat eye diseases, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and perform eye surgery. For people with myopia (short-sightedness), an ophthalmologist can play a key role in preventing complications and slowing progression, especially in children.

Ophthalmologist vs optometrist vs optician: what’s the difference?

Ophthalmologist: A medical doctor who provides full medical and surgical eye care, prescribes glasses/contacts, treats eye diseases, and performs procedures (like cataract or retinal surgery).

Optometrist: A doctor of optometry (OD) who provides eye exams, prescribes glasses/contacts, and manages many eye conditions. They refer to ophthalmologists for surgery or complex disease.

Optician: A trained professional who fits and dispenses glasses and sometimes contact lenses based on a prescription.

Many people with myopia see an optometrist regularly and an ophthalmologist when medical or surgical care is needed. The two often work together as a team.

How an ophthalmologist helps with myopia

Myopia is common and usually starts in childhood. An ophthalmologist can:

• Provide comprehensive eye exams, including dilated exams to check the retina.

• Prescribe glasses or contact lenses and monitor changes in prescription and eye growth (axial length).

• Offer myopia control strategies for children and teens, such as low-dose atropine eye drops, orthokeratology (night lenses), or myopia-control soft contacts.

• Advise on lifestyle steps that may help slow progression, like increased outdoor time and balanced near-work habits.

• Screen for and treat complications that are more likely in moderate to high myopia, including retinal tears or detachment, myopic macular changes, glaucoma, and earlier cataracts.

• Discuss vision correction surgery options for adults when prescriptions are stable, such as LASIK, PRK, or implantable collamer lenses (ICL), and determine candidacy safely.

When should someone with myopia see an ophthalmologist?

Consider an appointment if you or your child has:

• Rapidly worsening prescription or high myopia

• Eye pain, light sensitivity, or frequent headaches with vision tasks

• New floaters, flashes of light, or a “curtain” in vision (possible retinal emergency)

• Distorted or wavy central vision

• A turned eye (strabismus), lazy eye (amblyopia), or failed school vision screening

• A family history of serious eye disease (retinal detachment, glaucoma, keratoconus)

• Other health conditions that affect the eyes (diabetes, autoimmune disease, prematurity)

What to expect at the visit

A myopia-focused exam with an ophthalmologist is thorough. It may include:

• Vision and refraction testing to update your prescription

• Eye alignment and focusing tests

• Dilated eye exam to inspect the retina and optic nerve

• Imaging, such as retinal photos or OCT (optical coherence tomography), to assess retinal health

• Axial length measurement to track eye growth in children

• A personalized plan for myopia correction, myopia control (for kids), and follow-up timing

Children and myopia: why early care matters

Myopia often progresses fastest between ages 6 and 14. Early guidance can help slow this. Your ophthalmologist may recommend:

• More outdoor time (aim for 1.5–2 hours daily when possible)

• Regular breaks from near work (the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds)

• Evidence-based treatments like low-dose atropine, orthokeratology, or myopia-control contact lenses

• Monitoring every 6–12 months, or more often if progression is rapid

Do you always need an ophthalmologist?

For routine vision checks and basic glasses updates, an optometrist is a great place to start. If medical issues arise, progression is fast, or surgery is being considered, an ophthalmologist provides the next level of care. Many families alternate or co-manage between the two.

What is an ophthalmologist? A medical eye doctor who can manage everything from glasses to surgery.

For myopia, especially in children, ophthalmologists offer strategies to slow progression and prevent complications.

Seek urgent care for sudden floaters, flashes, a vision curtain, or painful red eyes.

If you’re concerned about myopia—your own or your child’s—schedule a comprehensive eye exam. The right plan today can protect vision for years to come.