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Ophthalmologists - Medical Doctors
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.
Optometrist
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 in their respective states. (Definition
from Medem Web Site.)
For more information on definitions and differences, go to: https://www.aao.org/aao/about/team.cfm
For specific information on optometry scope of practice in Tennessee,
refer to the Tennessee Code Annotated, Official Edition, Book 11, Titles
63, 64.
Optician
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.
An Ophthalmologist will generally specialize in one of the following
areas. (Listed alphabetically)
- Anterior Segment Surgery
- Cornea & External Disease
- Comprehensive (general eye care - includes cataract & refractive
surgery)
- Glaucoma
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Neuro Ophthalmology
- Oculo-Plastic/Cosmetic/Reconstructive Surgery
- Refractive Surgery (RK, PRK, LASIK, Intacs, Corneal Rings, etc.)
- Retina/Vitreous
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