Eye Health What Is the Difference Between an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist? By Elizabeth Yuko, PhD twitter linkedin Elizabeth Yuko, PhD, is a bioethicist and journalist, as well as an adjunct professor of ethics at Dublin City University. She has written for publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, and more. Learn about our editorial process Elizabeth Yuko, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Ami A. Shah, MD on January 25, 2021 Ami A. Shah, MD, is board-certified in ophthalmology. She works for Kaiser Permanente and is the owner and founder of one of the Bay Area’s first mobile aesthetic practices. Learn about our Medical Review Board Ami A. Shah, MD Published on January 25, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Optometrists Ophthalmologists Choosing the Right Eye Doctor Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both eye doctors, but they have different levels of training and areas of expertise. If you have a problem with your vision or overall eye health, it's important to make sure that you consult the right doctor for the job. Westend61 / Getty Optometrist Vision tests Complete eye examinations Diagnosis of some eye conditions Prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses Minor surgical procedures Opthalmologist Everything optometrists can do Medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases Rehabilitation following eye surgery Optometrists Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. Unlike ophthalmologists, an optometrist doesn't have a medical degree (M.D.), but rather a doctor of optometry (D.O.). To earn this qualification, optometrists first obtain a pre-professional undergraduate degree, followed by four years of professional education at a college of optometry, with an optional residency in order to specialize in a particular area. Conditions Optometrists Treat Though optometrists are probably best known for completing routine vision tests to help patients address any vision problems and get a prescription for eyeglasses or contacts, they do much more than that. While optometrists certainly have the ability to perform routine vision tests, they typically provide a comprehensive eye exam, which involves more than having you read random letters on a poster across the room. These exams are also crucial for assessing the health of a patient's eyes and eye tissue, as well as screening for a variety of conditions, like glaucoma. Additionally, the screenings optometrists perform during a comprehensive exam may help identify previously undiagnosed conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. Or, if an optometrist knows that a patient has diabetes, for example, they can keep a closer eye out for how the condition might impact the person's eye health. Optometrists can also assess a person's eye injury—though in more serious cases, they may refer the patient to an ophthalmologist for the treatment required. Treatments Offered by Optometrists While all optometrists are able to prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids, beyond that, much of the scope of their practice is determined by state law. For example, some states allow optometrists to write prescriptions for medications, while others don't. Similarly, optometrists perform some minor surgical procedures to correct or treat visual or eye health issues, which are also determined by state law. Optometrists also provide nonsurgical treatments, like vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation. Another part of the job is offering pre- and postoperative care to patients undergoing eye surgery, like giving them an eye exam the day after their procedure to make sure everything looks the way it should. If a patient has more serious eye conditions or requires surgery or more intervention, an optometrist will refer them to an ophthalmologist for further assessment and/or treatment. Equipment Used by Optometrists Given the wide range of tasks optometrists perform and treatments they offer, they require several different types of equipment. Much of it is also used by ophthalmologists, who are qualified to provide any of the examinations and treatments an optometrist can, in addition to others (which we'll discuss below). Optometrists' equipment includes: Exam chairRetinal cameraPhoropter (an instrument used to measure refractive error and determine eyeglass prescriptions)Binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (an instrument used to examine the interior structures of the eye, worn on the optometrist's head)Manual keratometer (used to determine how flat or steep the cornea is)Autorefractor (the machine used to measure a person's refractive error and determine their prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses)Slit lamp (a microscope with a light attached used to examine the cornea, iris, and lens)Tonometer (used to measure the pressure of the eye)Lenosmeter (used to measure the power of an existing lens)Retinoscope (used to shine light into a patient's eye so the doctor can observe the reflection off the retina)Direct ophthalmoscope (used to examine the interior structures of the eye) Visit an Optometrist if You Need... A vision screening or testA comprehensive eye examAn assessment on an eye injuryFollow-up care after eye surgery Ophthalmologists Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (M.D) who diagnose and treat all eye diseases, perform eye surgery, and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. In order to become an ophthalmologist—and licensed to practice medicine and surgery—a person must complete a four-year undergraduate degree, four-year medical school degree, followed by a mandatory one-year internship, and three-year clinical surgery residency with an additional one to two years or more of fellowship. Conditions Ophthalmologists Treat Ophthalmologists are trained and qualified to treat any condition or injury involving the eye, including: CataractsGlaucomaFarsightednessNearsightednessAstigmatismStrabismus (crossed eyes)Optic nerve diseaseSystemic neurological diseases with visual manifestationsRetinal detachmentsDiabetic retinopathySystemic or inflammatory diseases involving the retina and vitreousPediatric eye conditions Treatments and Equipment In addition to being able to write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses, ophthalmologists also have the authority to prescribe any relevant medications to patients. And while cataract surgery and basic glaucoma surgery are the two most common procedures ophthalmologists perform, they also perform surgery required for all the conditions listed above. Similarly, ophthalmologists use the same pieces of equipment as optometrists (described above), with the addition to any surgical instruments or tools required for eye surgery. Subspecialties for Ophthalmologists Some ophthalmologists opt to complete an additional year or two of training in order to specialize in one particular aspect of eye health. These subspecialties include: Glaucoma: Uses medicine, laser, and surgery to manage eye pressure.Retina: Diagnoses and manages retinal diseases, including macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease; surgically repairs torn and detached retinas and treats problems with the vitreous.Cornea: Diagnoses and manages corneal eye disease, including Fuchs’ dystrophy and keratoconus; performs refractive surgery (such as LASIK) and corneal transplants; treats corneal trauma; handles complicated contact lens fittings.Pediatrics: Diagnoses and treats misalignment of the eyes, uncorrected refractive errors and vision differences between the two eyes, and other childhood eye diseases and conditions.Neurology: Diagnoses and treats vision problems related to how the eyes interact with the brain, nerves, and muscles. Oculo-Plastic Surgery: repairs damage to or problems with the eyelids, bones, and other structures around the eyeball, and in the tear drainage system. Visit an Ophthalmologist if You Need... Medical and surgical treatment of eye diseasesRehabilitation or follow-up care after eye surgeryVision and eye health examsEye medicationsAn assessment of an eye injury Choosing the Right Eye Doctor After reading about what optometrists and ophthalmologists do, you may be unsure of which practitioner to see for your needs. If you are having difficulties with your vision—and think you may need glasses or contact lenses—an optometrist is a good choice. Make sure to get a comprehensive eye exam while you're there. If anything comes up that is a concern to the optometrist, they will refer you to an ophthalmologist for further assessment and/or treatment. If you are dealing with an eye issue that requires surgery, have an eye condition, or have another health issue that also impacts the eyes, it's a good idea to see an ophthalmologist. Also, if you have not had a comprehensive dilated eye exam by the time you're 40 years of age, then it is time to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist, as part of your routine health maintenance screenings—even if you don't think you have any problems with your eyes or vision. When seeing either an optometrist or ophthalmologist, you can expect the standard type of customer service as you'd receive with any other medical doctor or practitioner. And like any type of healthcare, the costs of seeing an optometrist and ophthalmologist depend on factors like your health insurance, and what a particular practice or medical facility charges. Both types of eye doctors will let you know if you need to return for follow-up appointments or require any treatments. What Does an Optician Do? Opticians are trained to:Design, verify and fit eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses, and other devices to correct eyesight. Opticians are not required to have any higher education or training, and are not permitted to:Write prescriptionsTest visionDiagnose or treat eye diseases A Word From Verywell There is so much more to eye health than getting a vision test and a prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses if needed. Of course, that part is really important because many people need aids in order to have functional vision. But when it comes to more serious issues involving eye health—or anything requiring surgery—an ophthalmologist is your best bet. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Optometric Association. What’s a doctor of optometry? U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Optometrists : occupational outlook handbook. Updated September 1, 2020. American Optometric Association. Comprehensive eye and vision examination. American Academy of Ophthalmology. What is an ophthalmologist? Updated January 18, 2019. American College of Surgeons. Ophthalmology. American College of Surgeons. Ophthalmology. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology subspecialists. Updated June 6, 2016. American Academy of Ophthalmology. What is an ophthalmologist? Updated January 18, 2019.