Difference Between An Ophthalmologist

Difference between an
Ophthalmologist, Optometrist and

Optician
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Your sight depends on seeing the right eye doctor at the right time.
When it's time to "get your eyes checked," make sure you are seeing the right eye care professional
for your needs. Ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians each play an important role in
providing eye care to consumers. But the levels of training and expertise are quite different for each
type of provider. Here's a quick look at the three types of eye care providers:
Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist — Eye M.D. — is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and
vision care. Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists and opticians in their levels of training and in
what they can diagnose and treat. 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.
An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, performs eye surgery and prescribes and
fits eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems. Many ophthalmologists are also
involved in scientific research on the causes and cures for eye diseases and vision disorders.
SUBSPECIALISTS: ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING FOR SPECIFIC EYE NEEDS
While ophthalmologists are trained to care for all eye problems and conditions, some Eye M.D.s
specialize in a specific area of medical or surgical eye care. This person is called a subspecialist. He
or she usually completes one or two years of additional, more in-depth training called a fellowship in
one of the main subspecialty areas such as glaucoma, retina, cornea, pediatrics, neurology and
plastic surgery, as well as others. This added training and knowledge prepares an ophthalmologist
take care of more complex or specific conditions in certain areas of the eye or in certain groups of
patients.
Optometrist
Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care ranging from sight testing
and correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes. An optometrist is not
a medical doctor. An optometrist receives a doctor of optometry (OD) degree after completing four
years of optometry school, preceded by three years or more years of college. They are licensed to
practice optometry, which primarily involves performing eye exams and vision tests, prescribing and
dispensing corrective lenses, detecting certain eye abnormalities, and prescribing medications for
certain eye diseases.
Optician
Opticians are technicians trained to design, verify and fit eyeglass lenses and frames, contact
lenses, and other devices to correct eyesight. They use prescriptions supplied by ophthalmologists
or optometrists, but do not test vision or write prescriptions for visual correction. Opticians are not
permitted to diagnose or treat eye diseases.
Safeguard your vision. See the right eye care professional

at the right time.
We all depend on our vision in more ways that we may realize. Without healthy vision, our ability to
work, play, drive or even recognize a face can be drastically affected. Many factors can affect our
eyesight, including other health problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Having a family
member with eye disease can make you more prone to having that condition as well. Sight-stealing
eye disease can appear at any time. Very often they are unnoticeable at first and are difficult to
detect.
That's why it is so important to see an ophthalmologist for a complete medical eye exam by age 40,
and then as often as prescribed by your Eye M.D.
Following are just some of the signs or risk factors for eye disease. If you have any of these, be sure
to visit an ophthalmologist. A complete, medical eye exam by an Eye M.D. could be the first step
toward saving your sight.
 Bulging of one or both eyes;

 Dark curtain or veil that blocks your vision;
 Decreased vision, even if temporary;
 Diabetes mellitus;
 Distorted vision;
 Double vision;
 Excess tearing;
 Eyelid abnormalities;
 Family history of eye disease;
 Halos (colored circles around lights);
 High blood pressure;
 HIV or AIDS;
 Injury to the eye;
 Loss of peripheral (side) vision;
 Misaligned eyes;
 New floaters (black "strings" or specks in the vision) and/or flashes of light;
 Pain in the eye;
 Thyroid disease-related eye problems (Graves' disease);
 Unusual red eye.

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Difference between an

Ophthalmologist, Optometrist and

Safeguard your vision. See the right eye care professional

 Bulging of one or both eyes;

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