what're the differences between optometrists, ophthalmologists, and mds?

Question

What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

Answer 1

Several: Ophthalmologists attende medical school and receive an md or do degree and then do a residency in ophthalmology. Optometrist do 4 years at an optometry school and receive an od degree.

Answer 2

An opthomologist: Is an md, that is an eye doctor. Most, perform eye surguries. An optometrist is not a medical doctor, does not perform surguries. In some states, dilating the eye can not be done by an optometrist. One often finds optometrists working in eye glass stores.

Answer 3

Medical School: Ophthalmologists (eyemds) are doctors of medicine or osteopathy who complete 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, an internship, and a 3 year residency in ophthalmology. They can deliver complete medical and surgical eyecare. Optometrists are trained to diagnose and treat vision conditions, identify cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal disease, and to use some medications. They are not mds.

Answer 4

Ophthalmologist: Ophthalmologist goes to medical school -- they treat diseases of the entire body-- then they receive special training on all eye disorders, eye surgery, glasses, contacts. An optometrist makes glasses and fits contact lenses-- they are not medical doctors.

Answer 5

Physician or not: An ophthalmologist is a physician (M.D. Or D.O.) who specializes in treating diseases of the eye. They can do all the same basic stuff as an optometrist but can also prescribe drugs (like any doc) and perform surgery, etc. They go to med school just like family docs and pediatricians. Optometrists go to a different school to learn their craft and perform eye exams and prescribe lenses.

Answer 6

Medical school: Optometrists go to optometry school and some have "residencies" but the confusion probably comes from terms like dr and optometric physician. Ophthalmologists go to medical school, residency, and possibly fellowship and the main differences right now have to do with surgical training / experience by the time of graduation but there is a constant battle over scope of practice.

Answer 7

Eye docs: Optometrists are trained to fit lenses and have a smattering of knowledge of eye disease. They have legislative privileges to do more than their qualifications. An ophthalmologists is to an optometrist as a lawyer is to a legal assistant. Ophthalmologists are mds, take a board exam and are continually retested. Optoms have no board, no retesting, cannot do surgery, etc. Big difference.

Answer 8

If it is just for : New glasses, you can see an optometrist. For most any other eye problem see the ophthamologist. An ophthamologist is an M.D. And can perform surgical procedures, such as for cataracts and more.

Answer 9

Medical doctor: An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor first prior to specializing in the eye. He has to be educated in the entire field of medicine prior to then being trained to diagnose and treat eye problems. In this fashion, an ophthalmologist, unlike an optometrist who is not a medical doctor, can identify systemic diseases when he examines a patient's eyes and deal with it or refer the patient properly.

Answer 10

Medical doctor ophth: An ophthalmologist is a medical docotor and surgeon with the extensive medical and surgical training who unerstands the whole body issues and optics(glasses and contact lenses). An optometrist is train to do a general basic eye exam and optics. Most of the time optometrists refer more advance and complex cases to the ophthalmologist for the care.

Answer 11

MD: Hi: ophthalmologist is a md who is surgically trained. Optometrist are trained to examined and dispense glasses and contacts. Best regards: dr. Mark reed placentia-linda foot & ankle group drs. Mark and melanie reed 1275 rose drive, suite 136 placentia, ca 92870 fax: (714) 528-0739 office: (714) 528-2252 www.Footpain.Org [email protected]

Answer 12

See below : An opthamologist is an md who does study & surgery of the eyes .An optometrist does 4 years of optometry school in study of the eyes.

Answer 13

Not for optometrists: A person who might need glasses or contact lenses for nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia (needs reading glasses), but otherwise has no eye symptoms, can see an optometrist (a non-medical doctor). Healthtap in 2011 has only medical doctors as experts, so has ophthalmologists (medical eye doctors who do eye surgery, treat eye diseases, prescribe medications, etc...).

Answer 14

None: You best bet for an eye examination is to find an ophthalmologist who is trained in all aspects of eye disease. Optoms do not do surgery, have limited training, and do not even have board certification. An md is your better bet.

Answer 15

Optometrists: Visual acuity and recommending eyeglasses or lenses, basically vision exam.

Answer 16

Not in depth: Optometrists study eyeglass correction and contact lense fitting. They get a smattering of eye disease and think they know a lot. But only ophthalmologists study these things in depth with approximately 8 more years of study than optometrists. It is best, if you have an eye problem to get an ophthalmologists opinion and evaluation first.

Answer 17

Either: Both can help you with this. Optometrists tend to specialize more often in complex fitting of contact lenses, but some ophthalmologists also do this.

Answer 18

Why should they?: Why can't optometrists and ophthalmologists choose their focus of practice? We are not a communist country, y'know.

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