What is an ophthalmologist?

Did you know? I often find it surprising how many people do not know the difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist. For this subject, I will defer to the American Academy of Ophthalmology website. "One source of confusion stems from the fact that optometrists are often referred to as eye doctors although, unlike ophthalmologists, they do not have medical degrees... An Eye M.D. (ophthalmologist) receives a minimum of 12 years of education, which typically includes four years of college, four years of medical school, one or more years of general clinical training and three or more years in a hospital-based eye residency program, often followed by one or more years of subspecialty fellowship." That would explain why so many ophthalmologists have gray hair when we finish training!

Did you also know? In many offices optometrists are part of a team which may consist of ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, ophthalmic medical assistants, ophthalmic technicians, ophthalmic photographers, and nurses. A full explanation of all of these skilled professions is found at the American Academy of Ophthalmology.