What's the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

[Naima Eyeglasses]

What's the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist? Which eye doctor should I see to get my eyes checked?

[Luke Eyeglasses]

opthalmologist - a physician qualified to diagnose and treat eye diseases and conditions with drugs, surgery, and corrective measures.
optometrist - somebody who is qualified to carry out eye examinations and to prescribe and supply glasses and contact lenses

[Nia Eyeglasses]

An ophthalmologist is a Medical Doctor who has an M.D. degree. That means he or she has gone through four years of medical school and at least one year of post-graduate general medical and surgical training and is a fully trained physician who has then gone on to specialize in treatment of eye diseases by doing at least three years of extra training in ophthalmology. An ophthalmologist is, therefore, fully trained in all aspects of medical and surgical diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and has as well a complete background in general medicine.

An optometrist has a Doctor of Optometry degree from an optometry school which is usually four years of training in examining the eyes and treating certain types of visual and eye disorders. They do not have any background in general medicine, nor do they have any training in surgical management of eye diseases. They generally have some training in medical treatment, but it varies a great deal.

[Nickolas Eyeglasses]

if you want to have an eye exam, you got to optometrist and an ophthalmologist, both are specialist for eye examination,

Originally Posted by Naima Eyeglasses

What's the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist? Which eye doctor should I see to get my eyes checked?