What is the Difference Between an Optometrist and Ophthalmologist?

Both optometrists and ophthalmologists provide a variety of eye care services. Although they are often associated with prescribing glasses and contact lenses, both professionals are qualified to diagnose and treat a range of eye diseases and disorders, such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, and macular degeneration. In fact, certain medical conditions can sometimes first be recognized by your optometrist or ophthalmologist during an examination, where they may detect diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Other tests may reveal tumors or signs of strokes.

What is an Optometrist?

An optometrist is an eye doctor who has earned a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. Optometrists examine eyes for both vision and health problems, and correct refractive errors (such as the need for glasses) by prescribing eyeglasses and/or contact lenses. Some optometrists also provide low vision care to individuals who cannot correct their vision through conventional means. Additionally, some optometrists offer vision therapy to correct certain vision problems and improve visual skills.

Optometrists are also licensed to prescribe medications to treat various eye problems and diseases. They may participate in your pre- and post-operative care if you have eye surgery performed by an ophthalmologist. With a few exceptions, optometrists in the U.S. are not trained or licensed to perform eye surgery.

An optometrist generally completes a four-year college degree in the sciences, followed by four years of post-graduate professional training in optometry school. In this regard, the educational requirements of an optometrist are similar to those of a dentist. Like ophthalmologists, optometrists are required to fulfill continuing education requirements on an ongoing basis to maintain their licensure and stay current with the latest standards of eye care.

What is an Ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye exams, diagnose and treat diseases, prescribe medications, and perform eye surgery. They also write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Ophthalmologists generally complete four years of college, four years of medical school, one year of internship, and a minimum of three years of hospital-based residency in ophthalmology. To extend the analogy with dentistry, whereas the education of an optometrist is similar to that of a general dentist, the education and training of an ophthalmologist are more akin to that of an oral surgeon.