What is the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist and an optician?
I am a Board Certified Optometrist in the State of Florida. I also hold a license in the State of Kentucky. I have personally had 4 years of college, 4 years of optometry school, and two years of residency, (10 years in total) one of which at the #1 eye hospital in the world (Bascom Palmer Eye in Miami, Florida) where I trained directly with Ophthalmologists that write the textbooks that all other Ophthalmologists learn from. I personally diagnose and treat eye disease, prescribe medications, perform minor surgical procedures, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, educate patients with regards to their diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, blood thinning management, strokes, tumors, epilepsy…..ALSO, most Optometrists will complete the ENTIRE comprehensive eye exam by themselves (personal care) whereas with the Ophthalmologist a technician will complete the majority (90%) of the exam, writes the glasses prescription, etc. Basically, a GOOD optometrist can do EVERYTHING than an Ophthalmologist (MD) can do….with exception of taking you to an operating room and performing surgery under Sedation. I hope I have helped to clear the muddy waters that plague our profession.
ALSO, our examinations cost much LESS!!!!
• An Ophthalmologist (MD) has a medical degree and is licensed to practice medicine and perform eye surgery. • An 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. • An Optometrist (OD) has a degree in optometry and is licensed to practice optometry. An optometrist has had at least six years of education and training beyond high school and is qualified to determine the need for glasses and contact lenses; prescribe optical correction; and screen for some eye conditions. • An Optician usually has a combination of college (or two years of opticianry school) and on-the-job training. An optician is trained to fit and dispense eyeglasses or contact lenses based upon a prescription from a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist.
• An ophthalmologist (MD) has a medical degree and is licensed to practice medicine and perform eye surgery. • An 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. • An optometrist (OD) has a degree in optometry and is licensed to practice optometry. An optometrist has had at least eight (8) years of education beyond high school and is qualified to determine the need for glasses, contact lenses, and prescribe optical correction. In addition, an optometrist is responsible for determining the health of the eye and treating anterior segment eye diseases of the eye. Our doctors have all had hospital based residency training beyong the eight years of high school and offer the most up to date skills of diagnosis and management of eye disease. • An optician usually has a combination of college (or two years of opticianry school) and on-th
An ophthalmologist (MD ) is a licensed physician, with 12 years of post-high school training, having completed 4 years of medical school, at least 1 year of post-graduate internship in general medicine or surgery, and 3 years additional residency training in medicine and surgery of the eye. He/she is licensed to practice medicine, diagnose and treat all eye disease, prescribe and fit contact lenses and glasses and perform traditional and laser ocular surgery. Some ophthalmologists have spent an additional 1-2 years sub-specializing in a particular area such as retinal disease, corneal disease, glaucoma, muscle problems, neural disorders, tumors, inflammation, pathology or plastic surgery. An optometrist (OD) is a licensed professional with 8 years of post-high school training, the last four of which concentrate on the visual system. They diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system as regulated by state law. Some optometrists specialize in comp
