Choosing Your Eye Doctor

In the United States, comprehensive eye exams can be performed by ophthalmologists and optometrists.

What's the difference between these specialists?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD), like an orthopedic surgeon, neurosurgeon, or plastic surgeon, who has completed medical school, an internship, and an ophthalmology residency to learn the medicine and surgery of the eyes, eyelids, and ocular system. Cataract and refractive surgeons are ophthalmologists who further specialize in surgical correction of vision and focusing problems.

An optometrist, also called an optometric doctor (O.D.), specializes in primary eye care including vision correction and medical conditions of the eye. Optometrists can prescribe glasses, contact lenses, and medications, but they do not perform surgery. If an optometrist diagnoses cataracts or eye disease, he or she will refer the patient to an ophthalmologist for treatment. Many optometrists work closely with ophthalmologists to comanage the preoperative and postoperative care of cataract-surgery patients.

An optician fits and dispenses eyeglasses and, in some states, contact lenses. Outside the United States, some countries license ophthalmic opticians to perform eye exams.

Who Performs Cataract Surgery?
The surgical treatment of cataracts should be done by an ophthalmologist-one who is well qualified, experienced, and respected by colleagues and patients. You can find out about a doctor's credentials from his or her office, the local medical society, a hospital where the doctor is on staff, or the HMO, if applicable. Several sources on the Internet give you access to national and state sources of physician information.