Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist: Which Is Right for You?

Approximately 93 million adults in the United States have a high likelihood of experiencing vision loss, so the odds are solid that you'll need to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist at some point in your lifetime.¹ While both are eye doctors and a few of their offerings overlap, it’s good to know a bit about each profession’s specific expertise.

Below, we dive into the differences between optometrists and ophthalmologists to give you a better idea of which to see if you're experiencing eye problems.

Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist: What's the Difference?

The main differences between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist include their education, the eye conditions they treat and how they can treat them. When considering which doctor to visit, remember that:²

• Optometrists hold a doctoral degree in optometry (OD) but are not considered medical doctors. They focus primarily on vision correction and preventative eye care, although they can diagnose and manage certain eye diseases.
• Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathy (DOs) who specialize in eye health, perform surgery on your eyes, diagnose eye diseases and can prescribe medication for eye problems.

What Is an Optometrist?

An optometrist is a primary eye health professional typically in charge of examining, diagnosing and treating eye conditions.²

Education and training for an optometrist

An optometrist holds a doctor of optometry degree, earned through post-undergraduate education. Typically, an optometrist will complete:²

• An undergraduate degree at a four-year university, usually in a subject related to the medical field, such as biology or chemistry
• A doctor of optometry program, which takes an additional four years to complete
• An optional residency in a subspecialty or as part of a specialty fellowship, but only if they wish to specialize in a particular type of eye care; how long their residency will last varies based on the specialty, but it's usually one year³
• An exam to obtain their license to practice optometry in the state where they reside
• Continuing education to stay current on the latest advances in optometry and maintain their license

When to visit an optometrist

If you're having trouble seeing clearly or simply want an eye exam, it's best to visit an optometrist to get an evaluation of your vision and, potentially, a prescription for corrective lenses.²

Think of an optometrist as your first line of defense in your vision care routine — if they find something that is out of their scope of expertise, they can then refer you to an ophthalmologist. More serious issues like sudden vision loss or eye injuries require a direct visit to an opthalmologist.²

Conditions treated by an optometrist

An optometrist most commonly handles vision issues that are correctable with glasses or contact lenses, but they can also help diagnose more serious medical vision issues. Conditions they treat include:²

• Astigmatism
• Dry eye⁴
• General vision health
• Glaucoma
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Iritis⁴
• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Presbyopia

Treatments offered by an optometrist

Optometrists can perform comprehensive eye exams to assess visual acuity and eye health. Treatments they offer include:⁴

• Minor surgical procedures, such as the removal of foreign bodies and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), although this varies by state
• Prescribing and fitting you for glasses, contacts and other vision aids
• Diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders, such as glaucoma and iritis
• Diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and other systemic conditions related to eye health
• Postoperative follow-up care after eye surgery with an ophthalmologist²

What Is an Ophthalmologist?

As secondary eye professionals, ophthalmologists are physicians who can perform medical and surgical interventions for eye conditions and typically are referred by optometrists.²

Education and training for an ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologists are doctors who practice medicine and have earned a doctoral degree in ophthalmology. Their training and education includes:²

• An undergraduate degree from a four-year university, usually in a pre-med program or the sciences
• A medical degree (MD or DO), which takes four more years to complete⁴
• A residency in ophthalmology as part of their training, which usually takes an additional four to five years to complete
• A fellowship in an ophthalmology subspecialty if they wish to specialize in one particular area of study; based on the subspecialty, this will take additional time but is typically at least a year or more⁴
• Becoming a licensed physician in their state
• Becoming board-certified by completing additional testing, if they desire
• Completing continuing education to stay current on the latest techniques and maintain their licensing

When to visit an ophthalmologist

You'll typically visit an ophthalmologist after being referred to one by your optometrist. Other doctors, such as your primary care doctor, might also refer you to an ophthalmologist to treat serious conditions like eye injuries, severe eye inflammation or medical conditions requiring eye surgery.²

Conditions treated by an ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologists offer a wide range of eye care services along with more specialized surgical expertise. They can provide eye exams as well as diagnosis and treatment for common and serious eye disorders like:²

• Amblyopia
• Astigmatism
• Cancer of the eye
• Cataracts
• Corneal dystrophies
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Dry eye
• Eye infections⁴
• Glaucoma
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Macular degeneration
• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Pink eye
• Presbyopia
• Retinal detachment
• Strabismus
• Uveitis

Treatments offered by an ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologists offer several types of treatments for eye problems, including:²

• Glaucoma surgery to help reduce pressure within the eye
• Laser corrective surgery such as LASIK or LASEK
• Surgery to correct misalignment of the eyes
• Surgery to remove cancerous tissue from the eye
• Surgery to remove cataracts
• Surgery to repair eye injuries

Note that ophthalmologists often co-manage ocular disease and laser vision correction procedures with their patients’ optometrists.

Key Differences Between an Optometrist and Ophthalmologist

The key differences between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist can help you decide which is right for you based on your eye care needs.

Education and training

Ophthalmologists and optometrists vary based on their training and educational requirements:²

Diagnosis and treatment

Optometrists and ophthalmologists also differ according to what conditions they can diagnose and treat and how they can treat them:⁴

Other Types of Eye Care Professionals

In addition to optometrists and ophthalmologists, you may encounter other eye care professionals during your exams. These professionals work with eye doctors to help diagnose and treat your medical conditions.

Opticians

While opticians aren't medical doctors, they are experts in helping you choose the ideal glasses or contacts based on your prescription. Opticians work in vision centers and in optometrist offices that provide glasses and contacts for their clients directly.⁵

Opticians will generally:⁵

• Fill or refill your prescription for glasses or contact lenses
• Fit you for glasses by taking measurements and making adjustments to your frames
• Help you choose prescription eyeglass frames and contact lenses based on your eye care needs
• Have one to two years of specialized training and licensing, depending on the state you live in

Ophthalmic medical assistants

Ophthalmic medical assistants aren't medical doctors, but they do work directly with an ophthalmologist in their office. These assistants can perform various tests and help the doctor examine or treat patients.⁶

Ophthalmic technicians

Similar to ophthalmic medical assistants, ophthalmic technicians aren't medical doctors, but they do work with ophthalmologists to help treat patients. They have more specialized training than ophthalmic medical assistants so they can assist with more complex medical testing or minor surgical procedures.⁶

Ophthalmic photographers

Ophthalmic photographers also aren't medical doctors but, as their name implies, they have specialized technical training to photograph a patient's eyes. They do so with specialized camera equipment to help document the condition for the doctor to evaluate.⁶

How to Choose an Eye Doctor

Whether you decide to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist, here are a few tips to help you find one you can trust with your vision:

• Ask your doctor. Your primary care physician may have a trusted colleague to refer you to.
• Inquire within your personal network. A referral from friends and family can help you feel confident with your choice.
• Find an eye care specialist near you. Use CareCredit's Provider Locator to choose an eye doctor in your area.
• Schedule a consultation. Get to know the eye doctor and ask questions about specific vision issues you may be experiencing.

Financing Eye Exams With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular eye exams are an important part of your eye health. Whether you’re getting an eye exam or paying for eye surgery, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for care where your insurance leaves off.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Susan Paretts is a freelance writer with 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, pet care and more. Her work has been published by the American Kennel Club, Bayer Animal Health, Elanco, LIVESTRONG.com, The San Francisco Chronicle, Chewy and more.