The debate of optometrist vs ophthalmologist usually leaves patients somewhat confused. Although both are eyecare professionals, their level of education and scope of practice in each state vary. An ophthalmologist attends medical school and receives 3 years of additional training during residency and can perform all surgeries. An optometrist attends optometry school and may choose to receive 1-2 additional years of training during residency. Optometrists focus primarily on vision and eye health exams. However, they are also able to treat low vision, prescribe medications, and are licensed to perform some surgeries in certain states. If you are unsure of who to visit, keep reading!
What’s the Difference?
The biggest difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist is their educational path as well as a slight difference in their scope of practice. Optometry is a legislative profession that has a different scope of practice in each state. Although optometrists may prescribe medications and perform some surgeries, they are restricted. Ophthalmology on the other hand is the same across all 50 states.
What is an Optometrist?
A doctor of optometry (OD) attends an accredited four-year optometry school to receive a doctorate degree before they are allowed to practice. Optometrists may choose to pursue a residency or fellowship to further specialize in an area of practice.
An optometrist’s scope of practice varies from state to state. Most are able to perform routine vision exams, and medical eye health evaluations, prescribe glasses and contacts, prescribe medications, and conduct therapy. Certain states do allow optometrists to perform minor surgeries as well as lasers while other states allow pre and post-operational follow-ups only.
Scope of Practice for Optometrists
-Vision exam
-Prescribe glasses
-Contact lens fit and prescription
-Medical eye health examinations
-Manage infections
-Prescribe relevant medications (topical and oral dependent on state)
-Perform pre and post-operational exams
-Perform minor or major surgeries*
*Legalized in just a few states
States that allow laser surgeries such as YAG capsulotomy/ALT/SLT/LPI are Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Wyoming, and Virginia. Alaska and Oklahoma also allow PRK while Mississippi only allows YAG capsulotomy to be performed by optometrists.
States that allow oral steroid prescription by optometrists include Florida, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, Washington, and Washington, D.C.
Due to being a legislative profession, the scope of practice for optometry will continue to grow and change every year.
What is an Ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy (MD/DO) who has specialized in eye care services. Their specialization includes a one-year internship followed by three years of residency. An ophthalmologist’s scope of practice includes all that of an optometrist plus the ability to do all minor and major surgeries.
Scope of practice for an Ophthalmologist
-Prescribe glasses
-Contact lens fit and prescription
-Medical eye health examinations
-Manage infections
-Prescribe all medications
-Perform pre and post-operational exams
-Perform all minor and major surgeries
How do You Know Which to Visit?
Due to the number of optometrists being more than ophthalmologists, there may be more availability with an optometrist. An optometrist is best for routine eye exams, disease management (glaucoma, mild macular degeneration), low vision, and learning-related vision problems. An optometrist will also see office visits which include pink eye, styes, and even foreign body removals (these are often billed medically).
An opthalmologist is best for eye surgery, LASIK (refractive surgery), glaucoma, advanced macular degeneration, and diabetic eye problems. Although ophthalmologists can perform eye exams and contact lens fits as well, they are usually busy with more medical visits. In a lot of cases, an optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist, however, they may also be available to do vision exams.
Both a visit to the optometrist and ophthalmologist will be covered by vision insurance or medical insurance if required. However, if you have no insurance, then an exam performed by an optometrist might be a more economical option.
If you are unsure whether your issue requires an optometrist or ophthalmologist, be sure to call a local OD/OMD for further assistance.
How to Find Optometrists and Ophthalmologists
Your insurance will provide a list of in and out-of-network practices for both optometrists and ophthalmologists. If you do not have insurance, then a great resource for locating eyecare professionals is the American Board of Optometry. They allow you to find an optometrist by name, subspeciality, or city. You can do a similar search for ophthalmologists through the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Furthermore friends and family are always a great resource for finding optometrists and ophthalmologists that fit your lifestyle and personality!
Optometrist vs Ophthalmologist
The difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist is their educational path as well as a slight difference in their scope of practice.
An optometrist has a 4-year undergraduate degree, a 4-year doctoral degree, and may also have a 1-2 year residency. An ophthalmologist will have a 4-year undergraduate degree, a 4-year medical degree, 1 year of internship as well as 3 years of residency.
Optometry is a legislative profession that has a varied scope of practice in each state. Although optometrists may prescribe medications and perform some surgeries, they are still restricted. Ophthalmology on the other hand is the same across all 50 states.
All about vision, reviewed by an optometrist, also provides a great breakdown of the scope of practices between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist.
