2007-02-23 03:12:40 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
The difference is HUGE!!!
An optometrist can check your eyesight and provide corrective appliances, such as contact lenses and glasses. They go to Optometry Schools. They cannot write prescriptions for medications.
An opthalmologist graduates from medical school and specializes in treatment of diseases and conditions of the eye. They certainly can do anything an optometrist can do, but it isn't what they are focused on at all. They do eye surgery, such as cataracts, Lasik, Lasek, etc. They laser retinal tissues and optic nerve problems. They are highly trained medical specialists and can prescribe medications.
2007-02-23 03:20:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An ophthalmologist is a real MD that can perform surgery and prescribed meds. An optometrist is a primary eye health care provider that performs eye exams and provides Rx for glasses/contacts whose degree is received from a separate school just for Optometrists.
2007-02-23 03:17:26 · answer #2 · answered by wenda w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An optometrist is qualified to measure your eyes for vision defect and prescribe glasses but is not licensed to treat you with medicines. An opthalmologist is a doctor specialising in diseases of the eye which include vision defects, glaucoma, cataract, retinopathy etc. Depending on whether he has done MD or MS (in India we have these two programs) he may be called an opthalmologist (eye specialist) or eye surgeon.
2007-02-23 03:20:34 · answer #3 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An opthalmologist has an M.D., an optometrist does not.
2007-02-23 03:17:11 · answer #4 · answered by Mark B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋