What is the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist and an optician?

An ophthalmologist (MD ) is a licensed physician, with 12 years of post-high school training, having completed 4 years of medical school, at least 1 year of post-graduate internship in general medicine or surgery, and 3 years additional residency training in medicine and surgery of the eye. He/she is licensed to practice medicine, diagnose and treat all eye disease, prescribe and fit contact lenses and glasses and perform traditional and laser ocular surgery. Some ophthalmologists have spent an additional 1-2 years sub-specializing in a particular area such as retinal disease, corneal disease, glaucoma, muscle problems, neural disorders, tumors, inflammation, pathology or plastic surgery. An optometrist (OD) is a licensed professional with 8 years of post-high school training, the last four of which concentrate on the visual system. They diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system as regulated by state law. Some optometrists specialize in comp ... more

• An ophthalmologist (MD) has a medical degree and is licensed to practice medicine and perform eye surgery. • An ophthalmologist has had at least 12 years of education and training beyond high school and is qualified to diagnose and treat all eye diseases; perform surgery; prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses. • An optometrist (OD) has a degree in optometry and is licensed to practice optometry. An optometrist has had at least eight (8) years of education beyond high school and is qualified to determine the need for glasses, contact lenses, and prescribe optical correction. In addition, an optometrist is responsible for determining the health of the eye and treating anterior segment eye diseases of the eye. Our doctors have all had hospital based residency training beyong the eight years of high school and offer the most up to date skills of diagnosis and management of eye disease. • An optician usually has a combination of college (or two years of opticianry school) and on-th ... more

• An Ophthalmologist (MD) has a medical degree and is licensed to practice medicine and perform eye surgery. • An ophthalmologist has had at least 12 years of education and training beyond high school and is qualified to diagnose and treat all eye diseases; perform surgery; prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses. • An Optometrist (OD) has a degree in optometry and is licensed to practice optometry. An optometrist has had at least six years of education and training beyond high school and is qualified to determine the need for glasses and contact lenses; prescribe optical correction; and screen for some eye conditions. • An Optician usually has a combination of college (or two years of opticianry school) and on-the-job training. An optician is trained to fit and dispense eyeglasses or contact lenses based upon a prescription from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist. ... more