How do ophthalmology and optometry differ?

Te difference is: The mount of training, : ophthalmologist are medical doctors, having been to medical school and the residency to specialize- this is the main difference , in that ophthalmologist do surgery, however this is a big push by the optometric societies to start doing surgeries.

Allowed capabilities: Optometry is a very specialized field in medicine just as dentistry is. Because optometrists graduate from optometry school rather than medical school, they are not "medical doctors" and therefore cannot alter tissue, ie. Remove chalazions, perform lasik, cataract surgeries, etc. Some states have allowed optometrists to prescribe oral meds for treatment, but the range and types are limited.

Dr Fowler and another doctor agreed

Optometry: The main difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist is that an optometrist is not a physician while an ophthalmologist is a qualified medical physician dos or mds. Optometry is a healthcare profession that deals with the eyes and its related structures, vision, visual system, and vision information processing in humans.

MD's vs. OD's: Ophthalmologists are eye MD's, or physicians, trained to diagnose and treat eye diseases, and perform eye surgeries if necessary. Optometrists are OD's, where they attend an optometry school to prescribe glasses, contact lens, and also diagnose and treat eye diseases. OD's are not allowed to perform surgery.