Note: Queens optometry specialists at Medex located in Forest Hills, Queens, NY, are accepting all major insurances including Medicare, Medicaid, HIP, Emblemhealth, GHI, MetroPlus, Fidelis. Our top-rated doctors providing a full range of medical procedures and are among the best family optometrists in the region.
Looking for expert optometrists in Queens? Visit Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, NY, where we offer comprehensive optometry services to ensure your vision and eye health are at their best. Optometry deals with the health and function of your eyes. At your annual visit with our doctor, we check to see if your vision has changed. If it has, you get a new prescription for either eyeglasses or contact lenses. The advantage of seeing an optometrist is the presence of in-house medical specialists, including ophthalmologists. Call Medex today to schedule your next eye exam.
What Is Optometry?
Optometry is a branch of health care that focuses primarily on eye examinations and vision tests. An optometrist is a medical professional who has earned the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree after four years of study in optometry school. An optometrist is not a medical doctor (MD). As a field of eye care, optometry involves:
- Prescribing and dispensing corrective lenses and frames
- Detecting certain eye abnormalities, such as ocular disease or macular degeneration
- Prescribing medications for certain eye diseases
If you have a problem with your vision, your first stop should be to an optometrist. Regular eye exams are a vital part of preventive eye care. At the multi-specialty Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Centerin Queens, NY, you have access to a qualified optometry team for diagnostic eye tests and preventive care. Medex also houses an ophthalmology department in-house, which works closely with your optometry team.
Best Optometrists in Forest Hills, Queens, NY
Olga Likhtman, OD Optometrist 718.275.8900 Forest Hills, NY
Patient Experience
“Medex in Forest Hills, N.Y. has excellent service. The Dr.’s and Staff are very welcoming and accommodating to find your needs and scheduling. I would highly recommend anyone to come here.” – Jane
111-29 Queens Blvd
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Phone: (718) 275-8900
4.0
100+ reviews
Olga Likhtman, OD, Optometrist Queens,NY
What’s the Difference Between Optometry and Ophthalmology?
Both optometry and ophthalmology deal with eye care, but there are major differences between the two fields of medicine. The distinctions between these two branches of eye care include:
- Optometry deals with primary vision care.
- Optometrists specialize in sight testing and diagnosing eye vision issues.
- Optometrists mainly prescribe visual aids, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses, to correct eye vision problems.
- Optometrists are not medical doctors. They provide primary care for eye problems and may refer you to an ophthalmologist for additional or more complex care.
- Ophthalmology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
- Ophthalmologists have earned a degree in medicine, so they’re medical doctors.
- Ophthalmologists are qualified to perform medical and surgical interventions for eye conditions.
Optometrists are your first-line health care providers. You schedule an annual appointment with your optometrist to check your vision and general eye health. During these exams, you get answers to all your questions and have a comprehensive review of any eye issues. You may end up with a new prescription. Many optometrists have eyeglass frames and contact lenses in the office for you to purchase.
What Does Optometry Involve?
When you have a problem with your sight, a specialist in optometry provides the diagnostic care you need. Your optometrist supplies services that include:
- Annual or routine eye exams and vision testing
- Specific eye exams to investigate a particular complaint
- The diagnosis, treatment and management of vision changes
- Low-vision rehabilitation and vision therapy
- Monitoring any related medical conditions, such as diabetes
- Visual aid prescriptions, including eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Management and treatment of some eye conditions, including glaucoma and dry eye
- Minor medical procedures to correct or treat visual or eye health issues
- Counseling services about available surgical and non-surgical options
- Pre- and post-operative care, for example for cataract surgery
- A referral to other healthcare providers, as needed
At this state-of-the-art diagnostics and prevention center in Queens, your optometry team uses latest medical technology in eye care for effective diagnostics. Your optometrist offers personalized attention, listening to your eye complaints and vision issues before deciding on a treatment plan or vision test to complete.
What Can I Expect in an Optometry Exam?
An optometry visit involves a thorough eye test to determine the level of your vision loss and to check for diseases or damage within your eye. Regular eye doctor visits help you maintain proper eye care and sharp vision. Untreated eye problems worsen over time, causing a decrease in your sight. Your vision changes year-to-year, especially as you get older, which is another reason to get your vision tested every year. At your optometrist’s office, you can expect:
- A review of your medical history and your medications
- A check on the visual aids you currently use
- An examination of your eyes, using various tests, such as a:
- Basic vision test
- Refraction test
- A slit lamp exam to detect glaucoma
- Ocular motility test
- Depth perception test
- Cover test
- Follow-up tests, in case an eye exam reveals symptoms of glaucoma, diabetes or high blood pressure
Early diagnosis of eye diseases is the best place to start treatment. So you must maintain your annual visits to your optometrist at the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center, where you not only get your vision checked, but also have access to many other medical specialists. Contact the practice to schedule an appointment with a highly trained team of optometrists.
We can help you find a doctor. Call (718) 275-8900
Licensed by the state of New York, Medex is an Article 28 diagnostic and treatment center. Our physicians provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages in the Forest Hills, Queens area, for over 15 years. Start receiving expert care now by calling or scheduling an appointment online with one of the skilled specialists.
FAQ
1. What is an eye doctor called?
An eye doctor can refer to either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Optometrists provide routine vision care, including eye exams and prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who can diagnose and treat eye diseases and perform surgeries.
2. What’s the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
An optometrist (OD) is a healthcare professional who performs vision tests, prescribes corrective lenses, and diagnoses some eye conditions. An ophthalmologist (MD or DO) is a medical doctor who can diagnose and treat eye diseases, prescribe medications, and perform eye surgery.
3. Should I go to the doctor for pink eye?
Yes, if you suspect you have pink eye (conjunctivitis)—especially if it’s painful, accompanied by discharge, or affecting your vision—you should see an eye doctor. They can determine whether it’s viral, bacterial, or allergic and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
4. How often should you get an eye exam?
Adults should get a comprehensive eye exam every 1 to 2 years, depending on age, vision needs, and risk factors. Children and those with existing eye conditions may need more frequent checkups.
5. What is a refraction fee at the eye doctor?
A refraction fee is a charge for the portion of the eye exam that determines your eyeglass or contact lens prescription. Insurance may not always cover this fee, as it’s considered a vision service, not a medical one.
6. When should children have their first eye exam?
Children should have their first eye exam at 6 months, again at age 3, and before starting school. Early exams can detect conditions like lazy eye or crossed eyes.
7. What are signs you need to see an eye doctor?
Common signs include blurry vision, eye strain, frequent headaches, difficulty seeing at night, or sudden changes in vision. If you experience any of these, schedule an eye exam.
8. Can an optometrist diagnose eye diseases?
Yes, optometrists can detect many eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. However, they may refer you to an ophthalmologist for advanced treatment or surgery.
9. Can I wear contact lenses if I have dry eyes?
Yes, but it depends on the severity of your dry eyes. Your optometrist may recommend special contact lenses or treat the dry eye condition before fitting you for lenses.
10. Do I need an eye exam if I have perfect vision?
Yes. Even if you see clearly, regular eye exams are important for detecting silent eye diseases like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy that can develop without noticeable symptoms.