2006-09-16 16:00:38 · 11 answers · asked by kathyjr1979 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
An ophthamologist is a medical doctor, they can perform surgeries and diagnose and treat diseases of the eye. An optometrist is the person you go to when you need new glasses. They can also diagnose diseases of the eye but they cannot treat with surgery because they are not medical doctors.
2006-09-16 16:06:43 · answer #1 · answered by Jaded 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe an opthomologist is an MD who treats diseases of the eye and can prescribe medicine and do surgery. The optometrist, on the other hand, is limited to giving eye exams and writing prescriptions for lenses. If you have an eye disease like glacoma or need cataract surgery, the optometrist will send you to an opthomologist.
2006-09-16 16:16:57 · answer #2 · answered by soulguy85 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Optometrist is trained to fit you for glasses and spot eye diseases and conditions. An Opthomologist is a medical doctor who can diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases.He can also do eye surgery. So basically the optometrist can screen for diseases only.
2006-09-16 16:04:10 · answer #3 · answered by bramblerock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An optometrist is not a medical doctor. An opthomologist is an MD, and a qualified eye surgeon.
2006-09-16 16:06:03 · answer #4 · answered by shelley_gaudreau2000 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An optometrist is a doctor of Optometry. An ophthomologist is a doctor of Medicine with an extra three to five years of training in the specialty of ophthalmology. Under the specialty of Ophthalmology, there are several sub-specialties such as Retina, Glaucoma, External Disease, Neuro-Ophthalmology. etc. In an IDEAL world, NO ONE ever gets in over his/her head, but unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world. If your optometrist is a well trained, conscientious optometrist, he/she will NEVER attempt to treat something which is beyond his/her training. I have no problems with optometrists practicing the full extent of their training for as long as they know when to refer. The eye is part of and intricately related to the rest of the body. There are several systemic disease conditions that manifest only in the eyes, but are not limited to the eye. This being the case, I believe that an ophthalmologist can provide a wider range of eye care, both medical and surgical.
2016-03-27 04:41:38 · answer #5 · answered by Mary 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An optometrist is an independent Primary Health Care provider who examines, diagnoses, treats and manages disordes of the visual system, eye and associated structures as well as diagnosing associated systemic diseases.
An ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in ophthalmology. They may perform surgeries.
2006-09-16 17:58:48 · answer #6 · answered by cookiesnhugs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Optometrists (Doctors of Optometry) go through 4 years of post-graduate training in eyes and vision. Not only do they prescribe glasses and contact lenses, but they are also qualified to diagnose and treat eye diseases, prescribe medications, and remove foreign bodies from the eyes.
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who go to medical school and specialize in eyes. Many ophthalmologists perform surgeries, but some also do general practice.
2006-09-19 14:49:59 · answer #7 · answered by JT 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An optometrist is a person who can examine your eyes and prescribe glasses and is not an MD. An Ophthalmologist is a medicial doctor who treats diseases of the eye, does surgery and prescribes medication.
2006-09-16 16:04:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
an optometrist cannot perform surgery; an opthomologist can.
2006-09-16 16:03:33 · answer #9 · answered by kidofjean 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An ophthalmologist (this is the correct spelling) is a physician who has specialized in treating ocular (eye) disorders, while an optometrist has had training in vision correction, or prescription glasses.
2006-09-16 16:06:40 · answer #10 · answered by Kokopellimana 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋