Public Resources Overview

What are the Differences Between Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, and Opticians?

OPTOMETRIST:

Doctors of Optometry (ODs/Optometrists) are primary eye health care providers much like primary care physicians are for the whole body. Doctors of Optometry are essential health care providers and are recognized as physicians under Medicare. They examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, they play a major role in an individual’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases, and diagnosing, treating and managing ocular manifestations of those diseases, and providing vaccinations. Optometrists in Ohio are licensed by the Ohio Vision Professionals Board and must obtain 50 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license.

Optometrists/ODs:

• Prescribe oral and topical medications to treat diseases and conditions, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and perform certain surgical procedures.
• Counsel patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options that meet their visual needs related to their occupations, avocations and lifestyle.
• Complete pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university (usually a four-year bachelor’s degree) and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. Many Doctors of Optometry complete an additional residency in a specific area of practice.

OPHTHALMOLOGIST:

Doctors of Ophthalmology (MDs/Ophthalmologists) are primary and secondary medical/surgical eye health providers. Ophthalmologists are medical or osteopathic physicians who specialize in eye and vision care including surgery. Typical training for an ophthalmologist includes a four-year college degree followed by four years of medical school and at least four additional years of medical and surgical training (residencies). Ophthalmologists are specialists who diagnose and treat all eye diseases, perform eye surgery, prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems. Ophthalmologists in Ohio are licensed by the Ohio State Medical Board and are required to obtain continuing education in order to renew their license.

OPTICIAN:

An optician, or dispensing optician, is a technician who designs, fits and dispenses corrective lenses for the correction of a person's vision following the prescription provided by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist. Opticians determine the specifications of various ophthalmic appliances that will give the necessary correction to a person's eyesight. Opticians work in various settings including doctor’s offices, retail locations, and independent shops. Opticians in Ohio are licensed through the Ohio Vision Professionals Board and are required to take continuing education courses in order to renew their license every two years.

iSee Ohio (The Ohio Optometric Foundation)

The Ohio Optometric Foundation is committed to improving the vision and eye health of children and other Ohioans in visual need by providing access to necessary eye care. A not-for-profit Ohio charitable corporation chartered in the state of Ohio, its purpose is to accept and administer charitable donations to improve the visual health and welfare of Ohio's citizens. 

Helpful Patient Resources

The American Optometric Association offers extensive information relating to the eyes and vision health.

Optometry Cares—American Optometric Foundation Charitable Resources

The AOA Foundation is committed to its mission – expanding eye health and vision care access to everyone in the U.S. in order to enhance human performance and quality of life.

InfantSEE

Comprehensive infant eye exams between 6 and 12 months of age as a no-cost public service.

Ohio Amblyope Registry

The Ohio Amblyope Registry provides free eye patches for the treatment of amblyopia, free literature about amblyopia and causes, as well as other important services to help families of children with amblyopia. All services provided by the registry are free of charge and restricted to Ohio residents.

Order Vision Simulator Cards

Vision Simulator Cards "simulate" what it may look like to have common vision disorders and diseases.