Optometrist, Ophthalmologist or Optician: Who Does What
How optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians differ in training and scope, and how to check a license or board certification for yourself.
Three kinds of professionals share most of the work in an eye care office, and people often call all of them "eye doctor." They have different training and are allowed to do different things. This guide explains each role, why the rules depend on your state, and how to check a license or board certification yourself before you book.
Ophthalmologists
An ophthalmologist is a physician with a medical degree (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree (DO) who specializes in the eye. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) describes the usual path as four years of college, four years of medical school and at least four more years of medical and surgical training, after which ophthalmologists are licensed to practice medicine and surgery. They diagnose and treat eye disease, operate on the eye, and prescribe glasses and contact lenses.
Some ophthalmologists add one or two years of fellowship training in a subspecialty. The AAO's page on training and certification lists areas such as cornea, glaucoma, retina, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery. If you need cataract surgery, retina care or a corneal procedure, ask whether the surgeon has subspecialty training in that area.
Optometrists
An optometrist holds a doctor of optometry (OD) degree. Optometrists are not medical doctors. The American Optometric Association (AOA) says doctors of optometry complete undergraduate study and then four years of professional education at a college of optometry, and that many go on to a residency. The AOA describes optometrists as primary eye health care providers who examine the eyes, diagnose and manage eye disease, prescribe glasses, contact lenses and medications, and perform certain procedures.
The two professional groups describe the boundary between their fields differently, so it helps to know that state law, not either association, sets the limits. The AAO notes that what optometrists are licensed to do can vary from state to state, including whether they may prescribe medications for certain eye diseases. Procedures that one state allows an optometrist to perform may be limited to physicians in another.
Opticians
Opticians design, verify and fit eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses and other devices. According to the AAO, they work from prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists; they do not test vision, write vision prescriptions, or diagnose or treat eye disease. The national provider taxonomy, a code list maintained by the National Uniform Claim Committee, places opticians among eye and vision technicians rather than among doctors.
There is one wrinkle for contact lenses. The federal Contact Lens Rule defines a prescriber as an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, or another person permitted under state law to issue contact lens prescriptions, which can include a dispensing optician who is allowed to fit contact lenses in that state. Whether that applies where you live is a question for your state's licensing board.
How to check a license
A license is what allows a person to practice. Board certification, discussed below, is a separate and voluntary credential. To check a license:
- Optometrists are licensed by a state board of optometry. The AOA keeps a directory of state boards of optometry with each board's website, and the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry lists its member boards.
- Ophthalmologists are licensed by the state medical board. Search the board's website for "license lookup" or "license verification."
- Opticians: if your state licenses opticians, its licensing board will usually offer a lookup as well.
When you search, confirm the full name, that the license is active, the license type, and whether the board lists any public disciplinary actions. Board lookups differ in what they show, so read the board's notes about what is and is not published.
Board certification for ophthalmologists
The American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) is the certifying board for the specialty and is one of the member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties. The AAO explains that many, but not all, ophthalmologists are board certified: certification requires passing a two-part examination, and ophthalmologists certified since 1992 must keep it current through continuing education, quality improvement activities and knowledge assessments. You can look up an individual ophthalmologist with the ABO's physician search. Check that the status is current, not only that the doctor was certified at some point.
If an optometrist or optician tells you he or she holds a board certification, ask which organization issued it and check with that organization directly. A certification never replaces the state license.
What a listing in this directory shows
This directory lists organizations, such as practices, clinics and optical companies, not individual clinicians. Each listing comes from the federal NPPES registry, where providers obtain a National Provider Identifier (NPI). When an organization registers, it chooses a taxonomy code to describe itself. Our listings include organizations that chose Optometrist (152W00000X) or Ophthalmology (207W00000X). NPPES does not verify that choice, so a "registered specialty" is self-reported. It is not a license, a board certification or a sign that we have reviewed the practice.
Where we could match an organization to CMS's Doctors and Clinicians data, a listing also shows Medicare enrollment, the number of clinicians in the group and whether the group accepts Medicare assignment. You can look up any NPI yourself in the NPPES NPI Registry. Because a listing describes the organization, it does not tell you which optometrist or ophthalmologist you will see. Ask the practice for that person's name and check the license and any certification yourself. You can place up to three listings side by side with Compare.
Questions to ask when you call
- Who will do my exam, and is that person an optometrist or an ophthalmologist?
- If the exam finds a problem, who in the practice treats it, and when would I be referred elsewhere?
- For surgery: who performs it, what subspecialty training does the surgeon have, and where is it done?
- Will I receive a copy of my glasses or contact lens prescription? (Federal rules generally require it; see our guide to your prescription rights.)
- Does the practice accept Medicare assignment or my vision plan? (See what Medicare covers for eye care.)
If you have a concern
Complaints about care or conduct go to the board that licenses the professional: the state board of optometry or the state medical board. The AAO's ethics committee reviews concerns only about Academy members, does not handle fee disputes, and its findings do not affect a doctor's license. In an emergency, such as a sudden loss of vision, call 911. We list registry records and do not rate, endorse or recommend any provider.
General information only, current as of the date above. The information on Eye Doctor Index is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor, nurse, discharge planner or other qualified professional. Do not use it to make decisions about diagnosis or treatment. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Rules and programs change; check the official sources linked in this guide.