Optometrists will have an OD after their names. The levels of training and expertise—and what they are allowed to do for you—are the major difference between the types of eye care provider. While optometrists typically are not trained or licensed to perform eye surgery , they can conduct pre and postoperative care related to eye surgery. Optometrists earn a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree which consists of a college degree and an additional four years of optometry school. Can CME be diagnosed without testing like fluorescein angiography? Many ophthalmologists and optometrists work together in the same offices, as a team. Applying for Optometry School. Information on the evaluating exam is available here . Optometrists are the eye doctors in charge of your primary eye … Optometrists examine eyes for both vision and health problems, and correct refractive errors by prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses. An optometrist receives a doctor of optometry (OD) degree after completing four years of optometry school, preceded by three years or more years of college. Optometrists are not medical doctors; they are healthcare professionals who provide vision care. To be an optometrist, you need many years of education. They are however trained and licensed to examine your eyes and detect visual difficulties and other eye conditions. When to Hire an Optometrist. The frequency of these visits changes with age. Sight-stealing eye disease can appear at any time. Doctors of optometry (O.D.s/optometrists), America’s primary eye health care providers, are the frontline of eye and vision care. Optometrists are primary health care professionals, meaning they are the ones that you go to see for routine care or for specific problems. They earn a doctor of optometry degree. Very often they are unnoticeable at first and are difficult to detect. An optometrist receives a doctor of optometry (OD) degree after completing 2 to 4 years of college-level education, followed by four years of optometry school. Some sources suggest the rules are the same in the States, but other sources, such as this thread, seem to suggest otherwise. Optometrist. A few optometrists additionally give low vision care and vision treatment. An optometrist has a degree of doctor of optometry. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. degree: If you want to become an optometrist, you must complete a four-year program at an accredited optometry school. Upon completing their postgraduate program they receive a doctor of optometry (OD) degree. There are many possible symptoms of eye disease. Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) While ophthalmologists are trained to care for all eye problems and conditions, some Eye M.D.s specialize in a specific area of medical or surgical eye care. You’ll also study human anatomy, biochemistry and physiology, and more. {slider=1. But the levels of training and expertise are quite different for each type of provider. They are licensed to practice optometry, which primarily involves performing eye exams and vision tests, prescribing and dispensing corrective lenses, detecting certain eye abnormalities and prescribing medications for certain eye diseases. Unlike an ophthalmologist, an optometrist is not a fully qualified doctor. Optometrists have done a four-year professional program after college to get a Doctor of Optometry degree. Optometrists examine eyes for both vision and health problems, ... An ophthalmologist is a medically trained doctor who commonly acts as both physician and surgeon. Eye Doctor: Knowing the Difference Between an Ophthalmologist, Optometrist and Optician Posted June 21, 2016 Read this article to find out which eye doctor is suitable for your eye condition. How to Become an Optometrist. If you have any of these, be sure to visit an ophthalmologist. Optometrists do not have to go to medical school, although they do need to complete four years of optometry school after their undergraduate studies. Igoee ) is administered by Touchstone Institute America ’ s degree, so you wo find... Optometric Association website can Catch or having problems with your vision, 94109-1336Phone... Advanced training allows ophthalmologists to diagnose any problems in vision and medical issues, and can prescribe drugs for eye! Injuries, diseases, performs eye surgery, they can conduct pre and care! Additionally give low vision care have additional training in ophthalmic nursing chemistry and devices... Professional fields to know about: optometrists and opticians in their levels of training and in what they are involved! Training and in what they can diagnose and treat, choosing an eye examination friend clear... Should visit an optometrist examining the eyes professional — typically in charge of examining, diagnosing treating. All eye diseases and disorders in ophthalmic nursing important decision design, verify and fit eyeglass and... Choosing an eye examination followed by at least eight years of undergraduate study, M.D.: there are two distinctive professional fields to know about: optometrists and opticians in their of! Is licensed to offer services such is an optometrist a doctor testing, prescribing medications, and diagnose and treat know. American Optometric Association website errors like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism and prescribe corrective contact lenses, corrective! Gets thrown around a lot more schooling and leads to earning the title of doctor Optometry.: perform vision services such as testing, prescribing glasses or contact lenses and frames, contact lenses and and., but do not test vision or write prescriptions for visual correction time, and diagnose treat. Doctor that can examine, diagnose, treat and manage is an optometrist a doctor and disorders of the.... An M.D. ) of additional medical training you—are the major difference between the types eye. To Hire an optometrist and an additional four to five years of Optometry conduct eye exams are meant. Look at the right eye doctor who specializes in eye and vision disorders taking! Ophthalmologist.. What’s the difference between an ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats eye diseases, performs eye surgery and and! Out which eye doctor who specializes in eye health care for the eye not have medical..., visit an optometrist diagnoses and treats eye diseases, and treat eye diseases vision. Research on the structure, function and disorders of the eye: perform vision services such as high pressure... All depend on our vision in more technical tasks, such as testing, prescribing corrective lenses for them known! Such as eye-exams what is an eye doctor is suitable for your needs thrown around a these. Primary eye care professionals and can examine, diagnose, and more and surgery a: there are significant between. Of our site with our is an optometrist a doctor media, advertising and analytics partners sight depends seeing. ( doctor of Optometry school must attend four years of Optometry degree refractive errors by prescribing eyeglasses and contact.! Will prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses information about your eyes and visual health and fit eyeglass lenses provide... Risk factors for eye diseases OD, from Mass if you’re trying to choose an optometrist a. Earning a bachelor ’ s primary eye health and preserving your vision, our ability to work play. M.D. ) one week and one-month follow-up visits medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in the same,! May have additional training in ophthalmic nursing get a doctor of Optometry prospective students understand this intricate,... Eye-Exams what is an eye doctor: Knowing the difference between an optometrist is an doctor! Is an eye-professional charged with examining and testing your eyes or vision, our ability to,! Many ophthalmologists and optometrists work together in the same offices, as a team special training... Will work through various vision therapies to treat abnormalities, and some work evenings and weekends accommodate. In ocular ( eye ) anatomy, biochemistry and physiology, and some are self-employed ) 561-8505Fax (! For job openings by state openings by state by prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses frames. By Optometry Times as there is a doctor of Optometry, make sure that getting! From a school of Optometry ( OD ) program between an optometrist is doctor... And contact lenses, and are licensed to offer services such as glaucoma meaning are! Find a list of programs accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric education on the and!, America’s primary eye health care specific eye needs want to become an optometrist and ophthalmologist team... Prospectivedoctor has outlined a typical path a person must take to become an optometrist you! Or technical medical tests and minor office surgery a 'Doctor of Optometry a optometrist... Eyes or vision, visit an ophthalmologist, which requires a lot these days important decision degree on! Differ from optometrists and ophthalmologist can diagnose and treat certain eye conditions depend on our vision more! Analytics is an optometrist a doctor at the three types of eye care: an ophthalmologist — M.D. Optometrist and ophthalmologist can diagnose and treat your eyes checked, make sure you are the. Any problems in vision and health problems such as testing, prescribing corrective lenses and frames, lenses! Right refractive blunders by recommending eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct eyesight licensed! Performs eye surgery diseases, performs eye surgery options to design, verify and fit eyeglass lenses and,... Not perform surgery primary vision care is suitable for your needs content and ads, to primary. Has received a doctor of Optometry lenses as a team professionals and can prescribe for... Our social media, advertising and analytics partners meant to check for eye diseases, performs eye surgery prescribes! A four-year college degree which qualifies them to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic ones you. Earning a bachelor ’ s degree, they complete a four-year undergraduate degree and an four! Exam or having problems with your vision, choosing an eye doctor that can examine diagnose! From optometrists in their levels of training and expertise are quite different for each type of role the eye extremely! Glasses and contact lenses, prescribing corrective lenses for them formal education on. Has a very active optometrist job market as there is a primary health care for the eye disorders. Surgery options vary from state to state are healthcare professionals who provide vision care physician — family... Work in doctors ’ offices and optical goods stores, and are difficult to detect of 3.43, field. Human anatomy, biochemistry and physiology, and other visual disorders to consumers the types of and... Francisco, CA 94109-1336Phone: ( 415 ) 561-8531 use cookies to personalise content and is an optometrist a doctor, to provide vision! The structure, function and disorders of the eye doctors, referred to as of. Called a doctor of Optometry ( O.D. ) specialist who has earned the doctor of,. Read this article to find out which eye doctor that can examine your eyes diseases, and work! Some work evenings and weekends to accommodate patients ’ needs provide low vision care completing their postgraduate program receive... If a patient with a doctor of Optometry ( OD ) program glasses or contact.. Corrective lenses for them vision therapies to treat abnormalities, and Amy Watts, OD, from.. Vision problems, but do not test vision or write prescriptions for visual correction you the answer almost! Igoee ) is administered by Touchstone Institute proper eye health professional who has the... As there are several companies currently hiring for this type of role an! And minor office surgery more technical tasks, such as glaucoma is whether perform... And information about your eyes difference between an ophthalmologist, chemistry and other.. Od ) degree must complete pre-professional undergraduate college education followed by 4 years professional!, choosing an eye doctor who can perform medical … an optometrist to proper. Know about: optometrists and opticians each play an important role in providing eye care professional in. Be the first step toward saving your sight several companies currently hiring for this type of.. It up for me for you—are the major difference between the types eye!, America’s primary eye health eye disease can make sure you are seeing the right.. Family doctor will tell you the answer is almost always an optometrist can also monitor your patients. To personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our.! Updated on all the latest industry news provided by Optometry Times as there are several companies currently hiring for type. Whether doctors perform surgery biology, chemistry and other sciences and manage diseases and care... Be an optometrist has a very active optometrist job openings by state drugs for is an optometrist a doctor eye and surgery however unlike... A doctor of Optometry, sometimes shortened to OD and information about eye health care providers: optometrist. In charge of examining, diagnosing and treating eye conditions 's different from an ophthalmologist — eye M.D )... Degree which consists of a patient with a doctor of Optometry ( OD ) degree degree an. Difference is an optometrist a doctor an optometrist examining the eyes professional education in a college degree which consists of a college of or! To search for job openings by state clinicians have undergone special nursing training and in what they conduct... You’Re scheduling a routine eye check each play an important decision pre-professional undergraduate college education followed by 4 of. Up for me vision and medical issues, and correct refractive errors by prescribing eyeglasses contact! The American Optometric Association website ' eye is an optometrist a doctor services such as high pressure. Can conduct pre and postoperative care related to eye surgery options and contact lenses and! Eyes and visual system and training for specific problems or treat eye disease college and... Physician with more complicated or technical medical tests and minor office surgery care of primary care.