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Why
choose an ophthalmologist? Because of their medical
education and specialized training.
An ophthalmologist is
a physician (Doctor of Medicine [M.D.] or Doctor of Osteopathy [D. O.]), who
specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system, and in the
prevention of eye disease and injury. An ophthalmologist has completed four
(4) or more
years of college premedical education, four (4) or more years of medical school, one
(1) year minimum of
internship, and three (3) or more years of specialized medical, surgical, and refractive
training and experience in eye care. An ophthalmologist is a specialist who is
qualified by lengthy medical education, training, and experience to diagnose, treat and
manage all eye and visual systems, and is licensed by a state regulatory board to practice
medicine and surgery. An ophthalmologist is a medically trained specialist who can
deliver total eye care: primary, secondary, and tertiary (i.e., vision services,
contact lenses, eye examinations, medical eye care, and surgical eye care), diagnose
general diseases of the body, and treat ocular manifestations of systemic disease.
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An optometrist
is a health service provider who is involved exclusively with vision problems.
Optometrists are specifically educated and trained by an accredited optometry college in a
four year course, but have not received a medical degree. They are state licensed to examine the eyes and determine the
presence of vision problems. Optometrists determine visual acuity and prescribe
spectacles, contact lenses, and eye exercises. Optometrists may perform all services
listed under the definition of an optician. Some states permit optometrists to give
limited treatments of some eye conditions.
- For specific information on optometry scope of practice in Tennessee,
refer to the Tennessee Code Annotated, Official Edition, Book 11, Titles 63, 64.
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An optician is a technician who makes, verifies,
and delivers lenses, frames, and optical devices and/or contact
lenses under prescription to the intended wearer. The optician's functions include
prescription analysis and interpretation; determination of the lens forms best suited to
the wearer's needs; the preparation and delivery of work orders for the grinding of lenses
and the fabrication of eyewear, the verification of the finished ophthalmic products; and
the adjustment, replacement, repair, and reproduction of previously prepared ophthalmic
lenses, frames and other specially fabricated ophthalmic devices.
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