Optometrist or Ophthalmologist: Which Eye Doctor Do You Need?

For most people, an optometrist is the right eye doctor to see first. Optometrists do eye exams, prescribe glasses and contacts, and treat many eye diseases. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye surgery and complex eye disease.

I get asked this question a lot, sometimes by patients who are surprised to learn I'm a doctor at all. So let me clear it up, because knowing the difference can save you time, money and a lot of confusion.

What is an optometrist?

An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry. You'll see the letters OD after our names. Optometrists complete a four-year doctoral program in optometry after college, and many also complete a residency.

Think of an optometrist as your primary care doctor for your eyes. Here's what we do:

• Comprehensive eye exams that check both your vision and the health of your eyes
• Prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, including specialty lenses
• Diagnosing and managing eye diseases such as dry eye, glaucoma, eye infections, allergies and inflammation
• Prescribing medications, like eye drops for infections, allergies or glaucoma
• Finding signs of whole-body health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, that show up in the eye
• Handling urgent problems, like a red eye, a scratch on the eye or something stuck in it

What optometrists are allowed to treat is set by each state. In Georgia and Tennessee, optometrists can treat many eye conditions with prescription medicines.

What is an ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) who went to medical school and then completed a residency in ophthalmology. They are trained in both medical and surgical eye care.

Ophthalmologists perform eye surgery, such as cataract surgery, LASIK, glaucoma surgery and retinal surgery. Many also choose a specialty within the eye, such as the retina, the cornea or glaucoma.

What does an optician do?

This is the third "O," and it gets mixed up with the other two all the time.

An optician is not an eye doctor. Opticians are trained professionals who help you choose frames, take measurements so your lenses are made and centered correctly, and adjust and repair your glasses. They work from the prescription your eye doctor writes. A great optician is the reason your new glasses feel right on your face and your vision is crisp through the lenses.

Which eye doctor should I see?

Here's a simple way to think about it.

See an optometrist if you:

• Need a yearly eye exam or a new prescription
• Want contact lenses or have trouble with your current ones
• Have dry, itchy, red or irritated eyes
• Have diabetes and need your yearly eye check
• Have been told you have high eye pressure, or have a family history of glaucoma
• Notice changes in your vision and aren't sure why

You may see an ophthalmologist if you:

• Need eye surgery, like cataract surgery or LASIK
• Have an advanced or complex eye disease that needs surgical or specialty care
• Have a retinal tear or detachment, which a retina specialist treats

In most cases, you don't have to figure this out on your own. Your optometrist will tell you when you need a surgeon and help you get there.

How do optometrists and ophthalmologists work together?

This is where good eye care really shines. Optometrists and surgeons work as a team, and it's called co-management.

Here's how it works for something like cataract surgery or LASIK:

1. Your optometrist finds the need. At your regular exam, we notice a cataract is starting to affect your daily life, or we talk about whether you're a good candidate for LASIK.
2. We do the before-care. We check your eyes, answer your questions and refer you to a trusted surgeon.
3. The surgeon does the surgery. The ophthalmologist performs the procedure.
4. You come back to us for after-care. We see you for follow-up visits to check healing and make sure your vision settles in the way it should, and we keep the surgeon in the loop.

For you, that means less driving, a familiar face and a doctor who already knows your eye history. If anything unexpected comes up after surgery, we work with the surgeon to handle it.

When should you see an eye doctor?

Make a regular appointment once a year, or sooner if your vision changes, your glasses don't feel right, or your eyes are often dry or tired.

Call us right away or go to the emergency room if you have:

• Sudden vision loss or blurry vision in one or both eyes
• A curtain or shadow over part of your vision
• New flashes of light or a sudden shower of floaters
• Severe eye pain with nausea, vomiting or halos around lights
• A chemical splash or injury to the eye

If you aren't sure where to start with an urgent problem, start by calling us. We can see you or point you to the right place quickly.

How we do it at Bolt Eye Group

At Bolt Eye Group, our optometrists provide full primary eye care. Our comprehensive eye exams include a full eye-health check. For $39, every patient also gets photos of the retina and optic nerve and a map of the cornea. With an in-office telehealth visit, that $39 also covers two OCT scans, one of the optic nerve and one of the macula. We diagnose and manage eye diseases like glaucoma and dry eye, fit specialty and scleral contact lenses, and offer same-day visits for red, painful or injured eyes.

We do not perform surgery. For cataract surgery and LASIK, we co-manage with the surgeon: we handle your care before and after, and the surgeon does the procedure. For other eye surgery, we refer you to an ophthalmologist.

We accept VSP, EyeMed, Davis Vision, Spectera, Medicare and major medical plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna and Humana. HSA/FSA and CareCredit are welcome too.

Frequently asked questions

Is an optometrist a real doctor?

Yes. An optometrist holds a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and is licensed to examine, diagnose and treat many eye conditions. Optometrists are not medical doctors and do not perform eye surgery.

Can an optometrist prescribe eye drops?

Yes. In Georgia and Tennessee, optometrists can prescribe medicines to treat many eye conditions, including infections, allergies, inflammation and glaucoma. The exact rules are set by each state.

Do I need a referral to see an optometrist?

Usually not. Most people can book directly with an optometrist. Some medical insurance plans have their own referral rules, so it's worth checking your plan.

Can an optometrist treat glaucoma?

Optometrists diagnose glaucoma and manage it for many patients, often with prescription eye drops and regular testing. If glaucoma needs surgery or other advanced treatment, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Who should I see for cataracts?

Start with your optometrist. We can tell you whether a cataract is affecting your vision enough to consider surgery. When it's time, we refer you to a surgeon and care for you before and after surgery.

Book an exam at your nearest Bolt Eye Group office

Whether you need a routine exam, help with an eye problem or a plan for surgery, we're here to guide you. Book an exam at your nearest Bolt Eye Group office in Canton, East Cobb/Marietta, Lawrenceville, Riverdale or Johnson City, TN. See all locations and directions.