The Differences Between an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist

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(Newswire.net — November 18, 2019) — Many people are confused by the differences between optometrists and ophthalmologists. They may seem to be similar eye care professionals who offer similar services. However, they are different in a number of different ways. They offer different services, although both types can take care of your vision correction needs. Also, optometrists and ophthalmologists undergo very different training before being licensed. Read on to learn more about the differences between optometrists and ophthalmologists.

An Optometrist Is Not A Medical Doctor

Possibly the most important difference that patients need to keep in mind is that an optometrist is not a medical doctor. Medical doctors are required to have M.D. or D.O. degrees. Optometrists are required to have a doctorate, but this is not an M.D. or D.O. degree. Optometrists actually can prescribe certain medications and use medical devices for certain eye conditions. This is an exception to the general rule that healthcare professionals have to be physicians in order to prescribe medication. However, there are certain types of treatment that optometrists are not allowed to offer. For example, optometrists are not allowed to perform surgical procedures like Lasik. Patients that need eye surgery of any kind have to go to an ophthalmologist. Optometrists are primarily focused on vision correction with contact lenses or glasses, although they do treat certain diseases.

Ophthalmologists Are Medical Doctors

Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors. They can prescribe a much wider variety of medications for a larger range of conditions. Also, they can perform eye surgeries. The surgeries that ophthalmologists regularly perform range from simple Lasik procedures to more complicated procedures that may include removing cancerous tumors from the eye.

It should be noted that there is some overlap between ophthalmologists and optometrists. For example, both optometrists and ophthalmologists can provide vision correction services. Patients more commonly go to optometrists for glasses and contacts and ophthalmologists for more serious eye conditions, but this does not necessarily need to be the case.

Differences In Training For Optometrists & Ophthalmologists

As previously mentioned, optometrists and ophthalmologists have to undergo very different training before they can become licensed in their respective fields. However, the training for both fields is quite rigorous. Both types of eye care professionals must complete from seven to eight years of schooling before they can even begin their professional training. Ophthalmologists often have to complete more professional training than optometrists. This is especially true if they want to go into a specialty, like pediatric eye care. 

Choosing The Right Eye Care Professional

Choosing the right eye care professional for your needs may seem complicated, but it is actually fairly straightforward. If you need glasses or contact lenses, you can go to either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. If you need treatment for a minor eye disease, you can also visit either type of eye care professional. However, if you have a serious eye condition or you need surgery of any type, you need to go to an ophthalmologist because an optometrist is not licensed for this sort of treatment.