Eye Care Professionals
Optometrist
An optometrist is an eye care professional who provides primary vision care. They are not medical doctors but are licensed to practice optometry. They primarily perform eye exams and vision tests, prescribe and dispense corrective lenses, detect certain eye abnormalities, and prescribe medications for certain eye diseases.
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 disease, prescribe medications and perform eye surgery. They also write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Optometrist | Ophthalmologist |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Doctor of Optometry (OD) | Medical Doctor (MD/DO) |
| Vision Care | Yes (Exams, Glasses, Contacts) | Yes (Exams, Glasses, Contacts) |
| Diagnosis & Treatment | Common eye conditions | All eye diseases & conditions |
| Surgery | No (or very limited) | Yes (Complex surgeries) |