What is an Ophthalmologist? 

An ophthalmologist 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.

When it is time to get your eyes checked, make sure you are seeing the right eye doctor walk-in care professional for your needs. Each member of the local eye doctor team plays an important role in providing eye care, but many people confuse the different providers and their roles in maintaining eye health. The levels of training and expertise—and what they can do for you—are the major difference between the types of eye care providers.

Ophthalmologists are eye physicians with advanced medical and surgical training

Ophthalmologists complete 12 to 13 years of training and education and are licensed to practice medicine and surgery. This advanced training allows ophthalmologists to diagnose and treat a wider range of conditions than optometrists and opticians. Typical training includes a four-year college degree followed by at least eight years of additional medical training.

An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats all eye diseases perform eye surgery and prescribe and fit 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. Because they are medical doctors, ophthalmologists can sometimes recognize other health problems that are not directly related to the eye and refer those patients to the right medical doctors for treatment.

Some ophthalmologists have specialized expertise in specific eye conditions

While ophthalmologists are trained to care for all eye problems and conditions, some ophthalmologists specialize further 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, Paediatrics, Neurology, Oculo-Plastic Surgery, or others. This added training and knowledge prepares an ophthalmologist to take care of more complex or specific conditions in certain areas of the eye or certain groups of patients.

Optometrists provide vision tests, prescribe lenses, and treat certain eye conditions

Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care ranging from vision 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 2 to 4 years of college-level education, followed by four years of optometry school. 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. Many ophthalmologists and optometrists work together in the same offices, as a team. In the United States, what optometrists are licensed to do for patients can vary from state to state.