An ophthalmologist is the only medical doctor who can take complete care of your eyes. They are trained and licensed to diagnose and treat all eye diseases and conditions. From basic eye exams to complex surgery, ophthalmologists provide everything you need for healthy vision
How are ophthalmologists different from optometrists and opticians?
Many people do not understand the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist and an optician. Each plays an important role in providing eye care. But they are quite different from each other, based on what they are trained to do.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D.) or a doctor of osteopathy (D.O.). They are trained and licensed to treat all eye diseases and conditions. They are the only eye care providers who can practice both medicine and surgery. They complete at least 12 years of training, including 4 years of college and at least 8 years of additional medical training. Many ophthalmologists specialize in a certain part of the eye or in treating specific diseases. Also, many ophthalmologists do scientific research to find causes and cures for eye diseases
An optometrist is a doctor of optometry (O.D.), trained and licensed to provide some aspects of eye care. They complete at least 3 years of college and 4 years of optometry training from a school of optometry. They are licensed to do eye exams and vision tests, prescribe and dispense corrective lenses, detect certain eye problems, and prescribe medicine for various eye diseases in some states. They cannot perform surgery and they can only prescribe certain medications.
An optician is not an eye doctor. They are professionals who prepare, measure and adjust the fit of eyeglass or contact prescriptions written by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. An optician has a minimum of a 2-year degree in opticianry or a 6,000-hour apprenticeship education and is licensed in their state.
