Family Eye Care
If you are looking for first-class quality eye care for your family, consider Elmquist Eye Group in Cape Coral and Fort Myers. We have been proudly serving the Southwest Florida region for over 22 years.
Trevor Elmquist, DO, and his associates, Kate Wagner, OD and Nina Burt, OD, provide a wide variety of eye care services, from routine eye exams for glasses to bladeless laser-assisted cataract surgery and glaucoma laser surgery.
Dr. Trevor Elmquist is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He specializes in general ophthalmology and cataract surgery. He has been selected as one of America’s Top Doctors in ophthalmology by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. Dr. Wagner and Dr. Burt are board certified optometrists.
Elmquist Eye Group combines the knowledge and expertise of opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists in order to provide families with better eye care than each type of eye doctor could provide on his or her own.
Types of Eye Doctors
Ophthalmologist – Ophthalmologists, like Dr. Elmquist, are medical doctors and have earned a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (OD) degree. This requires at least four years of college, four years of medical school, one year of internship, and three to six years of residency training.
After ophthalmology residency, some doctors receive additional fellowship training in sub-specialties such as glaucoma, corneal disease and retinal disease. The majority of ophthalmologists complete a surgical residency to hone their surgical skills.
To earn their licenses, ophthalmologists must pass rigorous national exams and board exams. To maintain their licenses, they are required to meet continuing medical education requirements.
Ophthalmologists are trained and licensed to diagnose and treat complex eye conditions, perform surgery, such as LASIK laser vision correction, cataract removal, retinal detachment surgery, and surgery related to eye trauma, and can prescribe a broader range of prescription medications than optometrists.
Optometrist – Optometrists, like Dr. Wagner and Dr. Burt, have earned a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. This requires four years of college (just like medical doctors) plus another four years of optometry school. During the last two years of optometry school, they examine patients in eye clinics and hospitals, work with eye surgeons and specialists, and do ophthalmic research.
Optometrists are required to pass rigorous exams to earn their licenses, and must meet continuing education requirements to maintain them. Some optometrists also have additional training in specialty areas, such as retinal disease and glaucoma. For example, Dr. Wagner has additional training in Refractive Surgery Management.
Optometrists can prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses, prescribe some medications, and perform minor surgical procedures. They perform vision tests, diagnose and treat many eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal diseases, and are trained to detect systemic diseases that may manifest in the eyes, such as diabetes. They also perform the majority of comprehensive eye exams in the U.S.
Optician – Opticians are not eye doctors but are an important component of your vision care. They are trained to use a prescription provided by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to design and fit corrective lenses and frames. In general, they receive a one- or two-year degree or certification and are not qualified to diagnose or treat vision problems or eye diseases.
The knowledgeable opticians in our Optical Boutique have over 35 years of experience and can assist you in selecting just the right frame and lenses to fit your unique lifestyle and personality.
Choosing Elmquist Eye Group for your family eye care gives you access to a complete range of eye doctors with different training, expertise, and unique strengths. Our dedicated staff and doctors are always happy to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have about your eyes. Get in touch with us today at (239) 936-2020 to schedule an appointment.