Some are. Ophthalmologists are MDs or DOs who completed medical school and an ophthalmology residency. Optometrists are doctors with a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from a four-year optometry program. Both are doctors who diagnose and treat eye conditions.

Is an optician an eye doctor?

No. Opticians are trained eyewear professionals who fit, adjust and dispense glasses (and in some settings contact lenses) based on a prescription from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They don't examine eyes or diagnose conditions.

What Is an Eye Doctor? Optometrists and Ophthalmologists

Q: What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

Both examine eyes, diagnose and treat eye conditions, and prescribe medication. Optometrists also prescribe glasses and contact lenses and manage many eye diseases, while ophthalmologists also perform eye surgery. Read more about the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist.

Q: Which eye doctor should I see?

For an eye exam, glasses, contacts, or a new eye symptom, an optometrist or ophthalmologist can see you. If you may need surgery, you'll see an ophthalmologist. In a practice with both, your care team helps decide who's right. Meet our eye doctors.

“Eye doctor” is a phrase almost everyone uses, but it can be surprisingly hard to pin down. Is it an optometrist? An ophthalmologist? What about the person who fits your glasses? Knowing who does what makes it much easier to get the right care when you need it.

Here’s a clear definition, what each kind of eye care professional does, and how to decide who to see.

The Short Answer

An eye doctor is a doctor who examines, diagnoses and treats problems with the eyes and vision. The term includes two kinds of doctors: optometrists (ODs) and ophthalmologists (MDs or DOs). Both perform eye exams, diagnose and treat eye conditions, and prescribe medications. Optometrists also prescribe glasses and contact lenses and manage many eye diseases, and ophthalmologists also perform eye surgery. Opticians, who fit and dispense eyewear, are important members of the eye care team but are not eye doctors.

What Does an Eye Doctor Do?

Whichever kind you see, an eye doctor’s job is to keep your eyes healthy and your vision as clear as possible. That typically includes:

Performing comprehensive eye exams that check vision and eye health
Measuring and prescribing correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia
Diagnosing eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, often before you notice symptoms
Treating eye infections, inflammation, injuries, allergies and dry eye
Prescribing eye drops and other medications
Spotting signs of health conditions that show up in the eyes, such as diabetes and high blood pressure

What Is an Optometrist?

An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry (OD). After college, optometrists complete a four-year doctoral program focused on the eye and visual system, and some go on to additional residency training.

Optometrists commonly:

Perform comprehensive eye exams for adults and children
Prescribe glasses and fit contact lenses, including specialty lenses
Diagnose, treat and manage eye conditions such as glaucoma, dry eye, eye infections and allergies
Prescribe medications for eye conditions
Monitor eye diseases over time, including diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration
Provide care before and after eye surgery, working alongside the surgeon

Exactly which treatments and procedures optometrists provide is set by state law, so it varies somewhat from state to state. Learn more in what is an optometrist?

What Is an Ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO). After college, ophthalmologists complete medical school, a hospital internship and a residency in ophthalmology, and some complete further fellowship training in an area such as retina, glaucoma or cornea.

Ophthalmologists commonly:

Perform comprehensive eye exams
Diagnose and treat eye diseases with medication
Perform eye surgery, such as cataract surgery, glaucoma procedures and retinal treatments
Treat eye injuries and complex or advanced eye conditions
Care for eye problems connected to other medical conditions

If you’ve searched for “a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the eye,” that’s the definition of an ophthalmologist. Just keep in mind that optometrists diagnose and treat many eye diseases too. Learn more in what is an ophthalmologist?

Are Eye Doctors MDs?

Some are. Ophthalmologists are MDs or DOs. Optometrists earn a different doctoral degree, the OD. Both are doctors, both are licensed to diagnose and treat eye conditions, and many practices have optometrists and ophthalmologists working together so patients can get the full range of care in one place. For a side-by-side look, read the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist.

What Is an Optician?

An optician is a trained eyewear professional. Opticians take the prescription written by your optometrist or ophthalmologist and help you choose frames and lenses, take measurements so lenses are positioned correctly, adjust and repair glasses, and, in some settings, help with contact lenses. Opticians don’t perform eye exams, diagnose conditions or write prescriptions, but a good optician makes a real difference in how well your glasses work and feel. Each Tennessee Eye Care location has an optical center staffed by opticians.

Which Eye Doctor Should I See?

For most people, the starting point is the same: a comprehensive eye exam. Here’s a simple way to think about it:

Routine eye exam, glasses or contacts: an optometrist or ophthalmologist
New eye symptoms (red eye, irritation, blurry vision, floaters): an optometrist or ophthalmologist, who can evaluate the problem, treat it and coordinate any further care
Ongoing conditions such as glaucoma, dry eye, diabetic eye disease or macular degeneration: often managed by optometrists and ophthalmologists together
Surgery or a surgical consultation (for example cataract surgery): an ophthalmologist

If you’re not sure, call the practice and describe what’s going on. In a practice with both optometrists and ophthalmologists, the team will schedule you with the right doctor and coordinate between providers if your needs change.

When Should You See an Eye Doctor?

For regular eye exams, even if your vision seems fine
When your vision becomes blurry or changes
For eye pain, redness or irritation that doesn’t clear up
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, for regular eye health checks
For frequent headaches or eye strain with reading or screens

Get care right away for sudden vision loss, a sudden shower of new floaters or flashes of light, a curtain over part of your vision, severe eye pain, or an eye injury or chemical splash.

How to Choose an Eye Doctor

Beyond the type of doctor, practical things matter:

Services: Does the practice offer what you’re likely to need, from exams and eyewear to medical and surgical care?
Location and hours: A convenient clinic makes it easier to keep up with regular exams.
Insurance: Check that the practice accepts your vision and medical insurance.
Reviews and comfort: Patient reviews and how well the doctor explains things both count.

Find an Eye Doctor in East Tennessee

Tennessee Eye Care’s optometrists and ophthalmologists work together across five East Tennessee clinics in Harriman, Knoxville, Lenoir City, Morristown and Powell. You can meet our providers or find the location nearest you and schedule an exam.