If you want to know about Optometrist and Ophthalmologist, we will help you understand the topic in detail with the difference between them.

The main difference between Optometrist and Ophthalmologist is that Optometrist is not a physician while an Ophthalmologist is a qualified medical physician.

Optometrists are primary health care practitioners, trained in primary eye care and disease treatment while Ophthalmologist is specialists trained in eye surgery.

Now let’s understand both the terms Optometrist and Ophthalmologist in detail and individually.

Optometrist

Optometrists are healthcare Professionals who provide primary eye care ranging from eyesight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes.They are not a medical doctor or physician. An optometrist is an eye doctor who has earned the Doctor of Optometry degree.

The optometrist can also participate in pre and post-operative eye care if you have an operation by an Ophthalmologist. They examine eyes for both vision and health problems and correct refractive errors by prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Ophthalmologist

An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathic medicine who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye exams, diagnose, treat disease and do surgeries. Ophthalmologists have to complete four years of college, four years of medical school, one year of internship, and a minimum of three years of hospital-based residency in ophthalmology.

Many Ophthalmologists are also involved in scientific research on the causes and cures of eye problems and diseases. They are secondary level healthcare providers and patients usually obtain the appointment for medical or surgical treatment such as cataract surgery and many more.

Now, let’s explore the difference between Optometrist and Ophthalmologist for better understanding.

Practitioners

Optometrists are primary health care practitioners, trained in primary eye care and disease treatment while Ophthalmologists are secondary eye care practitioners or specialists trained in eye surgery.

Work

Optometrists provide eye care ranging from eyesight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes while Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye exams, diagnose, treat disease and do surgeries.

Medical doctor

An optometrist is not a physician while an Ophthalmologist is a qualified medical physician.