Ophthalmologist Fort Myers
Elmquist Eye Group has been serving residents of Fort Myers, Cape Coral and all of Southwest Florida for more than 20 years. Yasaira Rodriguez, MD, is an experienced ophthalmologist who offers extensive knowledge about the diseases and other conditions that may affect your vision, some of which have no obvious symptoms.
Ophthalmologist or Optometrist?
An ophthalmologist is a physician who has earned an MD (Medical Doctor) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) degree and who specializes in all aspects of eye and vision care, including diagnosis, management, and surgery as well as prescribing corrective lenses. Ophthalmologists have typically spent four years in college, four years in medical school, and a minimum of three years of residency studying surgery and diseases of the eye.
An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry (OD) who has been trained to perform eye exams and vision tests, prescribe and dispense corrective lenses, detect certain eye abnormalities, and prescribe medications for certain eye diseases. Optometrists do not attend medical school, but have completed four years of college and another four years of education from a college of optometry. Except in three states (Oklahoma, Kentucky and Louisiana), optometrists are not licensed to perform eye surgery.
Why Board Certification Matters
When you want the highest quality of care, it is advisable to seek a board certified ophthalmologist, such as Dr. Rodriguez, to be sure your eyesight is in the hands of a skilled physician who meets nationally recognized standards for education, knowledge and experience.
To earn board certification, a physician must spend several years after medical school in supervised training. He or she must then pass a written (and sometimes oral) exam to evaluate his or her medical knowledge and clinical judgment. Board certification has to be maintained with ongoing education and renewed on a regular basis.
Any physician can claim to be board certified, but you should verify it by visiting the Certification Matters website. The site provides up-to-date information on physicians who have met the certification requirements of one of the 24 individual specialty boards managed by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). You can also reach the ABMS by phone at (866) 275-2267.
If an ophthalmologist is not board certified, it could mean that he or she never applied for certification or did not meet the minimum requirements of the specialty board.
It’s important to choose the right eye care professional at the right time. When you need a highly qualified ophthalmologist in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, or elsewhere in Lee County, consider Dr. Yasaira Rodriguez for outstanding care. Call us today at (239) 936-2020 to schedule an appointment.