Optometrist vs Ophthalmologist – What is the Difference?

An optometrist and an ophthalmologist are both types of eye care professionals, also known as eye doctors. What differentiates the two is their level of education and expertise. Optometrists provide primary vision care, such as eye exams and prescriptions. Whereas an ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye care, trained to treat more advanced eye conditions.

It is important to understand the key differences between these two eye doctors so you know which professional is most suited to helping you with your eye health.

Optometrist

What is an optometrist?

An optometrist, also known as a Doctor of Optometry (OD), is a health professional who provides essential eye care services. An optometrist is often the first point of contact when it comes to eye health. They are trained to provide you with a range of important services from eye exams and prescribing glasses, to treating vision issues and eye diseases. They do not perform eye surgery.

An optometrist will have a Doctorate of Optometry and will be registered with the provincial optometry board relevant to the area in which they will be practicing.
Source: University of Waterloo

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What does an optometrist do?

Most optometrists in Canada can provide the following services:

Perform eye exams.
Diagnose, manage and treat vision problems and eye infections.
Write prescriptions for eyeglasses.
Provide eye health advice to patients.
They may refer you to an ophthalmologist if needed.
They may also provide pre- and post-surgical eye care.

What are the education requirements for an optometrist?

Here in Canada, the process of becoming an optometrist can take some time. You will first have to complete an undergraduate degree, often in the sciences. You will then complete an additional university course, a Doctorate of Optometry (OD). Once you have graduated, you may undergo some time in residency. To begin practice, you will have to pass the provincial board requirements of the area in which you will be practicing.

When should you see an optometrist?

It is recommended that you see your optometrist for a regular eye examination every 2 years or as advised otherwise. This allows your optometrist to keep on top of your eye health and detect any vision issues as soon as possible. You may also see an optometrist for an assessment on an eye injury or follow-up care after eye surgery. You should see an optometrist if you notice any recent vision changes such as blurred vision, eye strain or headaches.

If you need an eye exam, find your nearest Oscar Wylee optometrist using our store locator page. Be sure to bring your health card to every appointment for any possible provincial coverage.

Ophthalmologist

What is an ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a doctor of medicine who specializes in optometry. This means they are qualified to provide advanced visual care that is beyond the education or expertise of an optometrist. This can include the treatment of serious eye conditions like advanced glaucoma. They are also licensed to perform eye surgery.

Oscar Wylee does not provide ophthalmology services. If you think you may need to see an ophthalmologist, speak to your health care provider or see an optometrist for further advice.

What does an ophthalmologist do?

The main job of an ophthalmologist is to diagnose, treat and manage serious eye conditions. These include cataracts, advanced glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. They can also help in the treatment of eye damage caused by injury or inflammation and perform surgery to correct vision issues. Eye surgeries that an ophthalmologist may perform include cataract surgery and ocular plastic surgery.

What does an ophthalmologist do?

The main job of an ophthalmologist is to diagnose, treat and manage serious eye conditions. These include cataracts, advanced glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. They can also help in the treatment of eye damage caused by injury or inflammation and perform surgery to correct vision issues. Eye surgeries that an ophthalmologist may perform include cataract surgery and ocular plastic surgery.

Types of ophthalmologists

All ophthalmologists will be given training to provide the same general services, from medical eye care such as surgery to the identification and treatment of eye diseases. However, they may specialize in certain areas.

General ophthalmologists – These ophthalmologists are trained to provide comprehensive eye care services. However, they may refer patients with conditions such as advanced glaucoma, to a specialist in that area.

Glaucoma specialists – These ophthalmologists treat glaucoma, a condition in which the optic nerve is damaged, causing vision problems.

Neuro-ophthalmologists – Neurology relates to the brain and the nervous system. When there is a problem with either of these, it can sometimes cause vision issues. A neuro-ophthalmologist is trained to treat these specific vision problems.

Pediatric specialists – Are ophthalmologists that specialize in eye care for infants and children.

Retinal specialists – These ophthalmologists focus on identifying and managing eye diseases that affect the retina, such as diabetic retinopathy.

Corneal specialists – Are ophthalmologists that specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of eye problems related to the cornea, the layer at the front of the eye. Cornea problems include dry eyes and corneal disorders.

What are the education requirements for an ophthalmologist?

As an ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye care, they first have to complete the appropriate education and training to qualify as a doctor. After this, they will have to undergo several years of ophthalmology education. This includes 1 year of basic clinical training and an ophthalmology residency lasting a minimum of 5 years.

When should you see an ophthalmologist?

Ophthalmologists specialize in more advanced eye care. This means they will not often be the first point of contact if you are having eye problems. You will generally first see an optometrist or a health care provider such as a doctor, who may refer you to an ophthalmologist if they believe you need additional eye care they cannot provide.

There are some symptoms that may indicate to an optometrist or health care provider that you may need to see an ophthalmologist, including:

Loss of vision
Changes to your field of vision, such as blurriness, shadows and dark spots.
Eye Pain.
Changes in how you see colour.

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How to choose the right eye doctor

Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both important people in your eye care team. They each provide services that help to maintain and manage eye health. However, not all services may be relevant to you and your eye care needs, so it is important to know which eye doctor is right for you. Take a look at the common eye care services below and see which eye doctor is best suited to your needs.

Eye Exams

Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both trained to perform eye exams. However, an optometrist is the best option for routine eye exams as their expertise lies in general, first point of contact vision care. It is recommended that you get a routine eye exam at least once every 2 years. If you are in need of a routine eye exam, you can book an appointment with one of our dedicated Oscar Wylee optometrists using our online booking page.

Eye conditions

Your optometrist may be able to identify eye conditions during an eye exam and treat them with prescription glasses. If the condition identified is beyond their expertise, they will refer you to an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists can treat a range of advanced eye conditions such as cataracts.

Prescriptions

An optometrist will be able identify vision issues and write prescriptions for glasses to manage these issues as needed.

Eye surgeries

An ophthalmologist is the eye doctor licensed to perform eye surgeries. Optometrists can not provide eye surgery. If you have an advanced eye condition such as cataracts and require surgery to manage the symptoms, an ophthalmologist is the best eye doctor for the job.

Why are optometrists the most commonly seen eye doctors?

Aside from routine eye exams and glasses prescriptions, most patients select optometrists as their eye doctor for the following reasons.

Optometrists are trained to provide first contact, primary vision care from eye exams and prescriptions, to managing eye conditions. Most people will see an optometrist and if needed, move on to an ophthalmologist.
Optometrists are more readily available, both in terms of geographic location and appointment waiting list times.
You will often need a referral from an optometrist or healthcare provider before seeing an ophthalmologist.
A routine eye exam conducted by an optometrist is likely to be more affordable than an eye exam provided by an ophthalmologist.

Eye Exams for children

Not all optometrists will provide eye exams to children. If your child requires an eye exam, it is best to first check with your local Oscar Wylee store before making any appointments.

It is recommended that children have at least one eye exam before they start school, or at the recommendation of an optometrist. Please check our Eye Exam information page to learn more about eye exams for children.
Source: Canadian Association of Optometrists

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We're here to help

Send us your questions or enquiry and our team will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Australia | Canada | New Zealand

Glasses

Jelly Collection

Petite Collection

Sunglasses

Learn

Blue Light Glasses

Multifocal Lenses

Face Shape Guide

Pupillary Distance (PD)

Eye Test

Book an Eye Exam

Optometrist vs Ophthalmologist

Eye Exam Information

Company

Joint Venture Partnership

Support

Health Insurance

Joint Venture

Our Joint Venture Partners have the support of a growing and successful brand. We have numerous opportunities available for inspirational business leaders to come and join our growing Joint Venture Partnership.

Take your optometry career to the next level with Oscar Wylee. Find out more here.

Copyright © 2023 Oscar Wylee Pty Ltd. ABN 73 154 936 526. All rights reserved

Terms and Conditions | Legal