Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both eye doctors, but they have different educational backgrounds and roles. Optometrists complete undergraduate studies and four years of optometry school to earn their O.D. degree, while ophthalmologists earn an M.D. degree and can perform eye surgery. Optometrists can examine eyes, diagnose conditions, and prescribe glasses or contacts, while ophthalmologists provide more in-depth exams, surgery, and treat advanced conditions like glaucoma or retinal diseases. It's important for patients to understand the differences between these eye doctors to receive the appropriate care.

1. Difference Between Optometrists and Ophthalmologists
Optometrist and Ophthalmologist, both are eye doctors. There are many similarties into their work.
Many people get confused about their role in eye care services. If you want to get accurate vision
care services, you must have complete knowledge about the different eye doctors and their roles.
Without the complete information about the doctors, you cannot select right doctor for your eyes.
So it is important for you, understand roles of different eye doctors in the vision care services.
An Optometrist is a doctor, who has the O.D degree. He first complete his undergraduate college
education and then do 4 years further education in the optometry school. He must be licensed and
trained to examine different eye defects. He can prescribe eye glasses and contact lenses, according
to the patients' problem. Some optometrists also do post graducate studies, to get specialization in
certain type of eye care services such as family eye care, optometry, sports eye care etc.
Services that an Optometrist can Provide : Generally optometrists can provide the listed below
services:
1) He can examine the internal and external structure of eyes to detect and diagnose different eye
diseases.
2) He diagnoses different eye conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism,
laucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and red eye problem etc.
3) He can prescribe eye glasses and contact lenses, according to the patients' problem.
4) He can also conduct eye tests to determine patients' ability of eyes coordination.
An Ophthalmologist is a doctor, who has the MD degree. He studied about the both medical and
surgical care of eyes. He has sufficient knowledge about “How to handle different eye diseases and
injuries”. He must be certified to perform different eye surgeries. He can prescribe a broad range of
drugs to his patients to correct their vision problem. He is the only eye doctor who provides a full
range of eye care services as compared to others.
Services that an Ophthalmologist can provide are listed below:
1) Deep and through Eye examinations and eye check ups.
2) Eye Tests
3) Eye Surgery
4) Prescribe eye glasses or contact lenses
5) Also diagnoses several general diseases of human body.

2. In conclusion you can say " Ophthalmologists are board-certified surgeons as compared to
Optometrists". They have very deep and through knowledge about the parts of body, which directly
and indirectly connected to eyes such as brain, optical nerve and areas around the actual eyeball.
Whenever you feel difficulties in your cornea, advanced glaucoma and retinal diseases, contact to
Ophthalmologist. He will decide whether you need eye drops or a surgery to correct your vision.
Many time you can see optometrist and ophthalmologist in the same office, for the convenience of
patients.
Author Bio : Are you looking for an expert and highly professional Optometrist in Barrie to book
an appointment for eye exam? Contact Georgian Optometry. We provide top class services for eye
care, eye exam, children eye exam, contact lenses and eye glasses at very cost effective price. We
have several years of experience in this field.