How Are Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, and Opticians Different?

Ophthalmologists (Eye M.D.s) are different from optometrists and opticians in their training and in what they can diagnose and treat. As a medical doctor, an ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. He or she diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, performs eye surgery, and prescribes and fits glasses and contact lenses. After four years of college and eight additional years of medical education and training, an ophthalmologist must pass a rigorous examination given by the American Board of Ophthalmology. While all ophthalmologists can treat all conditions, some have a specialty in a specific are of ophthalmology, like glaucoma, cataracts, retina or cornea. An optometrist is a doctor of optometry, licensed to practice optometry. Optometrists determine the need for glasses and contact lenses, prescribe optical correction, and screen for abnormalities of the eye. They attend two to four years of college and four years of optometry school. In some states, ...  more

02/05/2008 [The information given here is presented only as a public service. No endorsement by the Indiana University Department of Ophthalmology is implied or intended.] Ophthalmologists (Eye M.D.s) are different from optometrists and opticians in their training and in what they can diagnose and treat. As a medical doctor, an ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. He or she diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, performs eye surgery, and prescribes and fits glasses and contact lenses. Ophthalmologists complete * four years of college; * four years of medical school; * one year of internship; and * at least three years of residency (hospital-based training) in the diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the eye. While all ophthalmologists specialize in eye problems and can treat all conditions, some decide to concentrate in a specific area of medical or surgical eye care. These ophthalmologists are called subspecialists. They usually ...