The Difference Between Optometrists and Ophthalmologists

If you’ve ever searched for an eye doctor, you’ve probably noticed there are several different types of eye‑care professionals. Ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians all play important roles in vision and eye health.

An optometrist is a doctor who can examine, diagnose, and medically treat many eye conditions, while an ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who can provide full medical and surgical eye care. An optician is a trained professional who helps fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision‑correction devices.

In this article, we’ll look at the education required, average income, scope of practice, and services provided by ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. We’ll also discuss how to choose the right eye‑care specialist for your needs.

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What Is an Optometrist and What Do They Do?

An optometrist is a primary eye‑care provider who offers routine eye care and manages many common eye problems.

Education Level

Optometry is a postgraduate professional program that typically takes about four years to complete, depending on the school and curriculum. A Doctor of Optometry (OD) program usually includes:

– Advanced optics and visual science  

– Ocular anatomy and physiology  

– Ocular diseases and their management  

– Pharmacology related to eye conditions  

– Systemic diseases with eye manifestations  

– Vision therapy and low‑vision care  

Optometry programs also include full‑time clinical training, often in the later years of the program, where students work as interns or residents in supervised clinical settings.

Salary

In 2018, the median annual salary for optometrists was about $111,790, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Services They Provide and Conditions They Can Treat

You can see an optometrist for your annual eye exam, to update your glasses or contact lens prescription, or to receive medication and treatment for many eye conditions. Unlike ophthalmologists, optometrists are not surgeons and do not perform major eye surgery for more serious disorders.

Optometrists typically provide services such as:

– Comprehensive eye exams  

– Determining prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses  

– Screening for eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration  

– Managing common eye conditions like dry eye, eye infections, allergic conjunctivitis, and mild to moderate glaucoma  

– Co‑managing pre‑ and post‑operative care for eye surgeries performed by ophthalmologists  

Depending on state regulations, optometrists may prescribe controlled medications for eye diseases. In some regions, they are also allowed to perform minor procedures, such as:

– Removal of superficial foreign bodies from the eye  

– Certain types of in‑office laser procedures  

– A limited range of additional minor surgical interventions, as permitted by local laws  

What Is an Ophthalmologist and What Do They Do?

An ophthalmologist is a physician (MD or DO) who specializes in medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system.

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Education Level

All ophthalmologists must complete a full medical degree before starting an ophthalmology residency. After medical school, an ophthalmology residency typically takes an additional 4 to 7 years to complete, depending on the country, institution, and training structure. Residency training includes in‑depth education in:

– Medical and surgical management of eye diseases  

– Ocular pathology, neuro‑ophthalmology, and pediatric ophthalmology  

– Retina, cornea, glaucoma, oculoplastics, and other subspecialties  

Ophthalmology residents receive hands‑on clinical training in patient care, including performing eye surgeries under supervision. Many ophthalmologists also complete an additional 1‑year (or longer) fellowship in a subspecialty, such as retina, cornea, glaucoma, or pediatric ophthalmology.

Salary

In 2018, the median annual salary for ophthalmologists was about $290,777.

Services They Provide and Conditions They Can Treat

You can see an ophthalmologist for the same basic services offered by an optometrist, such as routine eye exams and prescription updates. However, ophthalmologists are also trained to perform eye surgery and manage more complex and advanced eye diseases, including:

– Cataracts  

– Glaucoma  

– Strabismus (eye misalignment)  

– Retinal detachment and other retinal diseases  

– Corneal diseases and transplants  

– Oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery  

Ophthalmologists provide services such as:

– Comprehensive medical eye exams  

– Diagnosis and management of all types of eye diseases  

– Laser procedures (e.g., for glaucoma or after cataract surgery)  

– Cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation  

– Strabismus surgery  

– Various other eye and eyelid surgeries  

Ophthalmologists typically complete 12 or more years of education and training to be qualified to perform complex eye surgeries. Because surgery is their main area of expertise, most ophthalmologists focus heavily on surgical and advanced medical eye care as their core scope of practice.

Do They Perform Surgery?

Depending on the legal scope of practice in a given country or state, both ophthalmologists and, in some areas, optometrists may perform certain procedures. However, optometrists are usually limited to minor procedures, while ophthalmologists are licensed and trained to perform the full range of eye surgeries for which they have been trained.

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What Is an Optician and What Do They Do?

An optician (sometimes called a dispensing optician or optical consultant) is a vision‑care professional who typically works in an optical shop, vision center, or optometrist’s or ophthalmologist’s office and focuses on eyeglass and contact lens dispensing and customer service.

Education Level

Training for opticians is generally less extensive and less formal than the training required for optometrists or ophthalmologists. Opticians do not need a medical or optometry degree. In some places, they can become certified by completing a 1‑ to 2‑year program, such as an ophthalmic assistant or opticianry program, and/or by passing a licensing or certification exam, depending on local regulations.

Salary

In 2018, the median annual salary for opticians was about $37,010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Services They Provide

Opticians handle customer service and optical dispensing tasks in an eye doctor’s office or vision‑care center. You can see an optician for routine services related to glasses and contact lenses, such as:

– Helping you choose frames and lenses  

– Adjusting and fitting eyeglasses  

– Filling prescriptions written by optometrists or ophthalmologists  

– Providing basic advice on lens options and eyeglass care  

However, opticians are not trained or licensed to examine your eyes, diagnose eye diseases, or treat eye conditions.

Opticians provide services such as:

– Measuring pupillary distance and fitting eyeglass frames  

– Explaining different lens types (single vision, bifocals, progressives, etc.)  

– Adjusting and repairing frames  

– Assisting with routine contact lens orders (based on a valid prescription)  

Unlike ophthalmologists and optometrists, opticians are not allowed to perform eye examinations, diagnose eye conditions, or provide medical treatment for eye diseases.

How to Choose the Eye‑Care Provider You Need

How do you know which type of provider you should see for eye care? Choosing between an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or optician depends on the type of service you need.

Ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians are all part of the eye‑care team, but they differ in their education, training, specialization, and scope of practice:

– Optometrists are primary eye‑care doctors who can examine your eyes, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and medically manage many eye conditions.  

– Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who provide full medical and surgical eye care, including complex and advanced eye diseases and surgeries.  

– Opticians are eye‑care support professionals who focus on fitting and dispensing glasses and contact lenses and providing customer service in optical centers and eye clinics.

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