Ophthalmologist (MD) has a medical degree and is licensed to practice medicine and perform eye surgery. 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. Optometrist (OD) has a degree in optometry and is licensed to practice optometry.

An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor with specialty training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. An ophthalmologist's training consists of college, 4 years of medical school, and 3 to 4 years in a residency program specializing in medical and surgical eye care. Optometrist prescribes glasses and contact lenses, but is not a medical doctor, and does not treat all eye diseases nor do eye surgery. An Optician is a specialist in the fitting and production of glasses.

The optometrist generally serves as a primary care clinician who evaluates and treats a variety of visual performance and eye health conditions. Patients with complicated eye diseases are referred to ophthalmologists, neurologists, internists or whatever combination of care is appropriate. The ophthalmologist is the physician specializing in the medical and surgical treatment of eye disease. The optician is trained in the production and application of spectacles and contact lenses.

By the BabyCenter editorial staff, from: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babydevelopment/1437477.html Ophthalmologists and optometrists both do eye examinations, diagnose and treat vision problems and eye diseases, and prescribe eye glasses and contact lenses. The difference is in their training and the scope of their practice: Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eyes.

Doctors of optometry (i.e. OD's) are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat (if TPA certified) and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures. Optometrists are highly educated and trained to diagnose disease and pathological conditions manifested in the human eye, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. An ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye diseases.

An optometrist is a licensed doctor trained to diagnose and treat vision disorders. They can also diagnose and treat many conditions such as eye infections (pink eye, as an example), remove foreign bodies, and glaucoma. For conditions they do not treat, they will refer you to the appropriate specialist. An ophthalmologist's training is mostly medical. They usually treat eye disease, do surgery, and have less training for vision.

Both are eye doctors that diagnose and treat many of the same eye conditions. The American Optometric Association defines Doctors of Optometry as: primary health care professionals who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions. They prescribe glasses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy and medications as well as perform certain surgical procedures.

The term 'optometrist' came into use in 1987 to replace 'ophthalmic optician' in the same way that 'pharmacist' replaced 'chemist'. An optician can be ophthalmic, dispensing or manufacturing; it is the optometrist who is qualified to test your eyes. Some dispensing opticians have extra qualifications that enable them to fit contact lenses and carry out certain clinical tests.

Ophthalmologists are sometimes known as eye surgeons or eye specialists as they concentrate on diagnosing and treating eye diseases. They are essentially medical doctors that specialize in eyes and may perform surgery and prescribe medication as they see fit. Some also undertake the prescription of spectacles, contact lenses and recommend eye exercises, although this is quite rare. Optometrists will screen the eyes for diseases and refer to ophthalmologists if necessary.

There are three different kinds of professionals involved with the care of the eyes, so it may not come as a surprise to you that there is some confusion over who does what. Optometrists are defined as healthcare professionals trained and licensed to provide primary eyecare services.

ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D.) who has attended four years of college, four years of medical school, one year of internship in medicine, and 3 - 4 years of specialty training in treating diseases and surgery of the eye.