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Optometry Doctor [OD]: An optometrist has an Optometry Doctor (OD) degree and can assess overall eye health and the quality of a person’s vision through a comprehensive examination. They diagnose and treat many eye disorders that do not require surgery or further specialized care. An optometrist can also identify symptoms of other health conditions that may affect the eyes, such as diabetes. Some also specialize in a field like pediatric care.

Optometrists [OD] and ophthalmologists [MD/DO] are both eye doctors, but they have different types of training and areas of expertise. If you need an eye exam—and think you may need glasses or contact lenses—an optometrist is a good first choice. To become an optometrist, a person needs to complete four years of additional education after a bachelor’s degree. Sometimes they complete a residency as well.

Now, ODs are licensed doctors and can prescribe medication. However, optometrists have a defined scope of practice that that revolves largely around the eyes. Optometrists can not prescribe all the same medications that your family doctor or ophthalmologist can.

So, if your eye issue requires surgery, or for specific conditions related to your eyes or overall health, you’ll want to visit an ophthalmologist [MD/DO].

On average, an optometrist in the U.S. makes about $131,860 per year, according to 2023 statistics.

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Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development, Drugs and Pharma, Experts Invited, Glossary Terms, Health Insurance, iMBA, Inc. | Tagged: DO, doctor optometry, eye-care, eye-health, health, MD, OD, ophthalmologist, optometrist, optometry, optometry doctor |