Best Ophthalmologist Cape Coral
Choosing an eye doctor is a personal choice, and you should find one that makes you feel comfortable. Dr. Trevor Elmquist of Elmquist Eye Group is one of the best ophthalmologists in the Cape Coral area and is well-known for his expertise and dedication, and for the personal interest he takes in every patient.
E. Trevor Elmquist, DO, is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Everyone from children to seniors in Southwest Florida have been coming to Dr. Elmquist since 1992 for first-class eye care, including cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye care evaluation and treatment since 1992.
What is an Ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is an eye doctor who has specialized experience in surgical and medical procedures. They typically have an MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathy) degree.
Although the training of ophthalmologists and optometrists today is very similar, especially in the areas of eye disease diagnosis and treatment, there are some distinct differences between the two. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform surgery, while optometrists are not. Ophthalmologists also have extra training in the diagnosis and treatment of more complex eye conditions.
To become an ophthalmologist, one must complete four years of college, four years of medical school, one-year of internship, and a three-year residency in ophthalmology, or at least 12 years of post- high school education.
Some individuals will also complete one or two years of fellowship training in a specific field of ophthalmology. For example, if a doctor wants to become a retina surgeon, he or she would obtain a fellowship in retina surgery. They must also pass painstaking examinations to become licensed by their state regulatory board.
Dr. Elmquist’s status as a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology is another indication of his commitment to ophthalmology and signifies that his education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation and met the high standards of the organization.
What Do Ophthalmologists Treat?
Ophthalmologists are trained to diagnose and treat eye diseases and disorders, prescribe medications, and perform all types of surgery to improve, or prevent the worsening of, eye and vision-related conditions. Many are also involved in scientific research into the causes of, and cures for, various eye diseases and vision problems.
They are also trained in vision services such as eye exams, refraction, vision correction and lens prescriptions, but not all ophthalmologists choose to practice vision correction as their primary service. It’s not unusual for optometrists to perform these services while both types of doctors work side-by-side to diagnose, treat and manage more complex conditions.
At Elmquist Eye Group, our skilled board-certified optometrists, Kate Wagner, OD, and Nina Burt, OD, are well-trained to treat most eye problems, such as eye pain, dry eyes, conjunctivitis, eye allergies, as well as some chronic eye diseases, including glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. Ophthalmologists like Dr. Elmquist are an excellent choice if you have a serious eye injury, a complex eye disease or complicated vision problems.
Dr. Trevor Elmquist has been selected as one of America’s Top Doctors in ophthalmology by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., which means he is one of the best ophthalmologists in Cape Coral and Fort Myers and among the top 1% of ophthalmologists in the nation. Get in touch with us at (239) 936-2020 to schedule an appointment and enjoy great eye health.