Eye Care Associates, P.A., was formed in 1995 when several of the most respected and established eye care practices in the Twin Cities merged. Our practice has deep roots dating back more than 35 years in downtown and northeast Minneapolis. Our doctors are among the founders of the Phillips Eye Institute, one of the leading ophthalmic specialty care hospitals in the country and the location where many of our surgeries are performed. Our doctors are board certified and have completed years of rigorous surgical and medical training. We currently have eight ophthalmologists and two optometrists, as well as a staff of nearly 50 highly skilled technicians, opticians, and certified ophthalmic personnel.

What's the Difference Between an Ophthalmologist and an Optometrist? An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has completed graduate medical school and an internship, and who then went on to receive more specialized training in the area of surgical and medical treatment of eye diseases. An ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., is qualified to provide services for the full range of eye care needs, from routine exams to advanced surgical procedures.

In addition to passing medical boards for licensure, ophthalmologists must also complete board certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology, the oldest specialty board in North America. An optometrist is a doctor who has completed a graduate program of optometry following college. Optometrists can provide many eye care services, including routine exams and the fitting of contact lenses, but cannot perform surgery. Optometrists must pass a certification evaluation to become board certified by the American Optometric Association. Ophthalmic Technologists, Technicians, and Assistants Ophthalmic technologists have attended training programs approved by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology such as the one at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. They are required to pass oral and written board exams to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. Ophthalmic technicians complete comprehensive training in the precise, complex skills necessary to assist ophthalmologists in surgery and during examinations. Assistants complete training courses and are then required to pass rigorous certification exams. Opticians Opticians fit and assist with spectacles and must pass a challenging optics test to receive certification. Given the sophistication of today's spectacle lenses, having the expertise of a certified optician is a tremendous advantage to our patients.