Ophthalmologist: Qualifications and Ophthalmologist salary

When caring for your vision it’s important to know the difference between an ophthalmologist, optometrist, and optician.

Ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist is a medical physician and surgeon MD or the one who has specialized to diagnose and treat all diseases of the eye as well as performs surgery of the eye.

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors specializing in eye and vision care they’re qualified and licensed to perform all services related to eye and vision problems including eye exams and prescribing glasses. 

Optometrist

An optometrist is a doctor of Optometry or OD who is state-licensed to examine the eyes to determine the presence of refractive problems, correct refractive problems with glasses or contact lenses and detect and manage some medical eye diseases although an optometrist is not a medical doctor they can counsel their patients about eye disease prevention and management and visual needs they can also, discuss surgical and non-surgical treatment options and refer patients to an MD as medically necessary.

Optometrists can certainly diagnose many vision problems like glaucoma cataracts and retinal diseases can also diagnose and treat visual conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Optometrists are not doctors that they can prescribe glasses and contact lenses some states allow optometrists to prescribe eye drops to treat certain eye problems and diseases.

Optician

An optician fit adjusts and dispenses eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other optical devices on written prescriptions of a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist.

So keep these definitions in mind when you’re looking for someone to do an eye exam if you’re currently experiencing some eye problems or vision changes.