What are the differences between ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians?
Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, and Opticians are all eye care providers whose scopes of practice are defined by the types of training they receive. An Ophthalmologist is a physician — an MD or DO — who has completed a four year undergraduate degree, a four-year medical degree followed by a 1-year internship and 3-year (or more) residency in ophthalmology. Ophthalmologists (MD or DO) can: — prescribe glasses and contact lenses — diagnose eye abnormalities and disease — treat all eye conditions and disease, including those of the surrounding flesh, bones, and muscle with surgery (conventional and laser surgery), medications, etc. — diagnose other conditions and illnesses based on symptoms evident in the eyes and refer patients to another appropriate physician for treatment –fit, adjust and dispense eyeglasses _______________________________ An Optometrist is not a medical doctor, but receives the degree of OD at a 4-year optometry school after completing four (or sometimes three)
