You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Optometrists are primary health care professionals trained in primary eye care and disease treatment. ", Prevent Blindness America: "Who's Who in Eyecare?". They fill the prescription your eye doctor gives you. and M.D. An ophthalmologist is an eye surgeon and consultant who is specially trained in eye care. ", Cleveland Clinic: "Eye Care Specialists. Ophthalmologist vs Optometrist vs Optician: Understanding the 3 O’s of Eye Care. Optometrists will have an OD after their names. ", All About Vision: "Find an Eye Doctor - Optometrist or M.D. Eye Care; Ophthalmologist vs Optometrist vs Optician: Understanding the 3 O’s of Eye Care ... Next, an optometrist is a doctor of optometry (OD) who specializes in the primary and medical care of your eyes and visual system. ", Vision Channel: "What Is an Optometrist? Optometrists take care of primary health care for the eye. Step one of understanding the prescription from your eye doctor is knowing OD and OS. This primer will help you decide. After college, they spent 4 years in a professional program and got a doctor of optometry degree. See an optometrist if you need an eye exam, need to update your prescription, or are unsure about the status of your eye health. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Serious eye conditions. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. or a D.O. They get a 1- or 2-year degree, certificate, or diploma. An optometrist is an eye doctor who has earned the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and specializes in eye and vision care. If you’re considering laser surgery or need other surgeries, an ophthalmologist is the right choice. Policy. They have, however, completed a four year degree, are extensively trained and fully licensed to examine the eyes. Preventive – Eye diseases and injuries services. Yes, they both center around treating disorders of the eye, but they are 2 entirely different professions. Working with one of the most delicate parts of the body, optometrists and ophthalmologists help care for a person’s eyes. An ophthalmologist is required to go through years of pre-medical education and medical school with medical practitioners. What they are qualified to do: Perform comprehensive eye exams; Provide eye health education Optometrists are family eye doctors who earn an OD … When you need an eye exam or have an eye injury or other vision problem, is it best to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist? Optometrists (OD): Specializing in Eye Care and Services . There are two main types of eye doctors: ophthalmologists and optometrists. Policy. An optometrist is an eye doctor that can examine, diagnose, and treat your eyes. Cleveland Clinic © 1995-2021. When you are looking for an eye doctor, you may get confused about the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist. “Optometrists often specialize in difficult contact lens fittings, and are often best for that type of examination,” Dr. Wagenberg says. Optometrist (OD): Vision Care and Eye Care Services Optometrists take care of primary health care for the eye. The levels of training and expertise, and the core competencies, are different for each type of eye care provider. And either can prescribe glasses or contact lenses. Ophthalmologists are eye surgeons who complete medical school, earn an MD degree, and do a surgical residency. As a medical doctor who has completed college and at least eight years of additional medical training, an ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. Should You Wear Two Masks to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19? Optometrist. When Should Your Child Have a First Eye Exam? Whether the surgery be performed in a hospital setting, for instance cataract surgery, or an in office surgery, for instance laser surgery for an after cataract, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy, it is important to remember that only an ophthalmologist is qualified to perform surgery. Ophthalmologists who specialize in neurology are called neuro-ophthalmologists. Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and treat. Like all other doctors, an ophthalmologist is trained in more general terms (meaning the body as a whole) as an undergraduate and then a junior doctor, before specialising in one field. Special contact lens fittings. The difference between an optometrist and ophthalmologist is not trivial. Applicants are required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), which covers subjects including college-level mathematics, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, statistics, and physics. — is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. A more nuanced distinction would be on diagnoses and/or surgical treatments of the eye. Everything You Need to Know About Running in Cold Weather. Medical vs. surgical Another key … Advertising on our site helps support our mission. ), but rather a doctor of optometry (D.O. They also: One type isn’t automatically better than the other. That's sometimes followed by a 1 to 2 years fellowship. While they may provide routine eye care, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and prescribe medications, most ophthalmologists are surgeons that specialize in a particular part of the … They are also able to diagnose certain conditions and abnormalities of the eye. Difference Between OD and MD Eye Doctor. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who is specialized in eye and vision care. “An optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist for any difficult medical conditions such as uncontrolled eye infections, medically unmanageable glaucoma, cataract surgery, corneal transplants or retinal problems,” he says. They focus on regular vision care and they: Optometrists and ophthalmologists often work together to take care of you. They went to medical school. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, The Eyes (Human Anatomy): Diagram, Function, Definition, and Eye Problems, Safely Taking Eye Prescription Medications, Eye Doctors: Optometrists and Ophthalmologists, Diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions related to other diseases, like, Monitor medically related eye conditions related to diseases like, Manage and treat conditions like Dry Eye and, Provide low-vision aids and vision therapy, Provide, adjust, and repair glasses, frames, and, Help decide which type of lenses and frames will work best, Order and check products, including contacts and, Recommended by your doctor, friends, or family, For primary eye care, you may wish to start with an Optometrist. A recent study showed that, of kids in Tennessee who did not need glasses by objective criteria, 35% who went to OD's got glasses anyway, compared to 11.7% who went to general ophthalmologists, and 1.8% who went to pediatric ophthalmologists. The answer depends on your needs and preferences. Feel Like Food Is Stuck in Your Throat? A simple distinction to make between the two fields would be in licensure: Ophthalmologists are licensed to practice medicine; optometrists are licensed to practice optometry. Education: Optometrists go to optometry school (a postgraduate program) for four years, followed by an additional year of school or residency, resulting in a doctor of optometry degree. An ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in ophthalmology. What is an Optometrist? In general, when thinking about using an Optometrist versus an Ophthalmologist or Optician, follow the below rule of thumb: Visit an ophthalmologist if you suspect you have a serious eye condition or may need surgery. Fitness, health and wellness tips sent to you weekly. An optometrist is often the better option for contact lens wearers. “They do not diagnose or treat eye problems at all,” Dr. Wagenberg says. All rights reserved. Doctors of Optometry (Optometrists) Confused about which is which and who does what? © 2005 - 2021 WebMD LLC. The best eye doctor for you should be: American Academy of Ophthalmology Medical Library (Medem): "Eye Care Facts and Myths: A Closer Look. Optometrists and ophthalmologists have similar job titles and duties, but there are several key differences between the two. Learn about causes, symptoms, and treatments. After that, they had a 1-year internship and a residency of 3 years. An ophthalmologist — Eye M.D. Medical school: All medical schools require a bachelor’s degree (except for combined 1 degree programs). ", Horizon BCBSNJ: "Making Healthcare Work: Glossary. Keep in mind that these professionals can work together and that a team approach can be the best option for eye care. If you want to hear all the options, go to an MD. He also offers examples of what services each may offer. The truth about these two positions is that both are eye doctors. Dr. Timothy Root is a practicing ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon in Daytona Beach, Florida. They can advise you on frames and certain types of lenses and lens coatings. Some optometrists get additional clinical training or complete a specialty fellowship after optometry school. Optometry school: Optometry schools do not uniformly require a bachelor’s degree for entry into optometry school. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. Is an optometrist or ophthalmologist best? Ultimately, what’s best for your eye health is that you have regular exams and take steps to protect your vision. Ophthalmology addresses all medical and surgical issues with the eyes, in addition to the services provided by optometrists. But they don’t give eye exams or write prescriptions themselves. Dr. Dean Bonsall answered Pediatric Ophthalmology 27 years experience MD vs OD: An ophthalmologist — eye M.D. When you have blurry vision, eye pain or “floaters,” it’s fine to see either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, Dr. Wagenberg says. Learn more about vaccine availability. And where do opticians fit in? Unlike ophthalmologists, an optometrist doesn't have a medical degree (M.D. Optometrist Unlike an ophthalmologist, an optometrist (or ophthalmic optician) is not a fully qualified doctor. Laser and other surgeries. (doctor of osteopathy) the degree is necessary following the completion of college. Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists and opticians in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and treat. Simple annoyance or the sign of a problem? First Aid Tips for 5 Eye Irritants + Injuries, Your Eye Won’t Stop Twitching? ", All Allied Health Schools: "Become an Optician: Optician Jobs, Optician Schools. All Rights Reserved. Exams and prescriptions. Ophthalmologist Scott Wagenberg, MD, helps answer your questions about what each type of eye doctor can do. Ophthalmology (/ ˌ ɒ f θ æ l ˈ m ɒ l ə dʒ i /) is a branch of medicine and surgery that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the eye. Optometrist Vs Ophthalmologist. Optometry vs. ophthalmology. They can practice surgical procedures on the eyes and identify disease and conditions such as strabismus. Plastic surgery – some ophthalmologists specialize in reversing or lessening the effects of skin tumors or drooping eyelids, for improving a patient’s skin tone and smoothing out wrinkles around their eyes. These are simply abbreviations for Latin terms: OD is an … Basically, if you want to be sold glasses, go to an OD. The right choice depends on your needs. If you don’t have any serious eye problems, the choice is really up to you. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. The difference between a doctor of optometry (optometrist), an ophthalmologist and an optician is a common question among both healthcare professionals and the general public. — is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologist vs. Optometrist Topic Guide Eye Care Provider Facts When you need to visit an eye-care professional, it is important to make sure that you see the person who is most qualified to take care of any concerns or problems that you may have regarding your eyes. In the most basic terms, optometry addresses primary eye health, such as performing eye exams and vision tests, detecting vision problems, and prescribing corrective treatments such as glasses, contact lenses, and medications. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Either optometrists or ophthalmologists may perform eye exams. Whether you’re scheduling your first routine eye exam, getting new glasses or having a problem with your vision, a quick search online for eye doctors may leave you scratching your head. Here’s What to Do. Optometrist vs. ophthalmologist The first step in your decision is to understand there are two types of eye doctors — optometrists and ophthalmologists — and to know the differences between the two. If you have a serious condition — severe macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, for instance — you’ll typically see a specialist (ophthalmologist). We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. This subspecialty deals with vision problems related to how the eye communicates with the … Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists in their levels of training … “Otherwise, a good optometrist can handle what a general ophthalmologist can,” he says. Here's a look at how they're different. Coronavirus: Now scheduling COVID-19 vaccine appointments. They diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.They can also be involved in scientific research into causes and cures for eye disease and vision problems.On the other hand, ophthalmologists ar… ", About.Com: "Finding the Right Eye Doctor. Do you ever find yourself wondering, “Optometrist vs Ophthalmologist vs Optician: Which Eye Care Professional do I need?” Here’s a quick breakdown of each profession to help you decide. Optometrist – OD… ", Prevent Blindness America: "Who's Who in Eye Care. ). An optometrist is an eye doctor who has earned the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. They earn a doctor of optometry degree. In order to become an ophthalmologist, the acquisition of an M.D. Opticians can help you select and fit your prescription eyeglasses properly. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. The abbreviations O.D. Beaver Dam Eye Clinic 240 Corporate Drive Beaver Dam, WI 53916 Phone # 920-887-1151 5 Ways to Maintain Good Vision and Healthy Eyes, Don’t Rub It! Optometrists provide comprehensive eye exams on a routine basis to the general public. An ophthalmologist is a fully trained and qualified doctor who specialises in the treatment of the eye. From there, they may refer you to an Ophthalmologist if needed, If you think you need eye surgery for cataracts, glaucoma or another eye disease, an ophthalmologist with the appropriate specialty would be a good place to start. What to Do and How to Find Relief, Skin Cancer Screening: What to Expect During a Full-Body Skin Exam. The credentials include a degree in medicine, followed by additional four to five years of residency training in ophthalmology. are used to refer to the two types of medical professionals who provide eye care: optometrists and ophthalmologists. Much of the care an ophthalmologist provides crosses over with the services of an optometrist. An ophthalmologist will have an MD (doctor of medicine) or a DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine) after his or her name. They work from orders written by optometrists or ophthalmologists. This video describes the differences between each profession involving eye & vision care; Ophthalmologist, Optometrists and Optician. While both types of doctors are specialists in … ", American Academy of Ophthalmology: "eyeSmart: Know Your Eyecare Team. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who can perform medical and surgical interventions for … A good eye doctor will help point you in the right direction if you need to see a different doctor or a specialist. An ophthalmologist is an eye doctor with Medical Doctor (MD) degree or Doctor of Osteopath (DO) degree. Optometrists. Opticians aren’t eye doctors and can’t give eye exams. One main difference between an ophthalmologist and optometrist is that an ophthalmologist is trained to perform eye surgery.