There are two main types of eye doctors, and the difference between "optometrist" and "ophthalmologist" is more than just
their different spellings. It’s not surprising that many people aren’t sure which is which. Read on to find out
what each of these eye health professionals does and the differences between them.
Ophthalmologist: Total Eye Care
Ophthalmologists are physicians – doctors of medicine (MDs) or doctors of osteopathy (DOs). MDs and
DOs complete four or more years of college premedical education, four years of medical school, and one year of internship
to get their doctorate degrees.
After they become licensed physicians, they undergo a residency of three or more years. This consists of medical
and surgical specialty training specifically in eye care.
Ophthalmologists provide complete eye care services. These include:
·
Vision services, including eye exams
·
Medical eye care – for glaucoma, iritis, chemical
burns, orbital cellulites, etc.
·
Surgical eye care – for trauma, crossed eyes, cataracts,
glaucoma, tumors, etc.
·
Diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions related to other
diseases, like diabetes (diabetic retinopathy), arthritis (iritis) or brain conditions (multiple sclerosis/optic neuritis)
·
Eye disease and injury preventive services
·
Plastic surgery – some ophthalmologists offer this
service for drooping eyelids or skin tumors, or for smoothing wrinkles and improving skin tone around the eyes
Optometrist (OD): Vision Care and Eye Care Services
Optometrists are trained to diagnose and treat vision conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and
astigmatism. They are trained in prescribing eyeglasses, contact lenses, eye exercises, low vision aids, and vision therapy.
They are also trained to identify cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal disease, and to use some medications to
treat eye disease.
Optometrists do not attend medical school. Most complete an undergraduate degree before beginning four years
of training for an optometry (OD) degree.
Some complete a postgraduate one-year clinical residency to gain specialist certification.
The services optometrists provide include:
·
Vision services such as eye examinations, and treatment
of conditions such as amblyopia and strabismus
·
Diagnosing eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration,
diabetic retinopathy, and conjunctivitis
·
Prescribing medications for certain eye conditions (in
some states)
·
Eye disease and injury-prevention services
·
Prescribing and fitting glasses and contact lenses
Optometrists may also take part in pre- and postoperative care for patients having eye surgery.
Optometrists and ophthalmologists sometimes work in the same office and co-manage patients.
From WebMD.Com
