What is the difference between optometrist and ophthalmologist?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.