Opthalmology vs Optometry - Difference and Comparison

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	Opthalmology	Optometry
Definition:	Opthalmology is a branch of medicine which concerns with the diseases and surgery of visual pathways.	Optometry is a type of eye care profession which deals with primary eye care and disease treatment.
Practitioners:	Ophthalmologists are actually medical doctors, trained in eye surgery.	Optometrists are primary health care professionals, trained in primary eye care and disease treatment.
Education:	Beyond high school, ophthalmologists have in total 12 years of education.	After high school, an optometrist has in total seven years of education.
Mutual beneficial relationship:	Ophthalmologists may refer patients to optometrists for optical aids or low vision rehabilitation.	Optometrists may refer a patient to ophthalmologist for further assessment and medical treatment of ocular diseases.

Optometry is a health care profession which deals with the eyes and its related structures, vision, visual system, and vision information processing in humans.

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine concerned with the diseases and surgery of the visual pathways, including the eye, brain, and areas surrounding the eye, such as the lacrimal system and eyelids.

1 Scope of Practise
2 Education
- 2.1 Training
3 History
4 Namesake
5 Levels
6 See Also
7 References

[edit] Scope of Practise

Optometrists are primary health care professionals trained in primary eye care and disease treatment. They diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye. They can also be involved in scientific research into causes and cures for eye disease and vision problems.

On the other hand, ophthalmologists are medical doctors, trained in eye surgery and eyes’ advanced disease treatment. They specialize in eye and vision care, and are trained to provide the full spectrum of eye care, from prescribing glasses and contact lenses to complex and delicate eye surgery. They can also be involved in scientific research into causes and cures for eye disease and vision problems. An ophthalmologist is said to be an eye M.D.

[edit] Education

The differences between the training of optometrists and of ophthalmologists prepare them for their unique positions within the sphere of patient care.

After high school, an optometrist has four years of college, followed by another four years in an optometric college. Many optometrists then choose to complete one year residency programs and or fellowships in areas such as Pediatrics, Vision Therapy, Contact Lens, Primary Care, Advanced Care, or Low Vision Rehabilitation. In total, an optometrist receives a minimum of eight years of education after high school, followed by continuing education required yearly to maintain his license. He receives a Doctor of Optometry(OD) degree.

On the other hand, an ophthalmologist has four years of college, followed by another four years of medical college. And after that, they receive one or more years of general medical or surgical training, and then they have to join a hospital-based eye residency program of duration three or more years. This is often followed by one or more years of subspecialty fellowship. In total, an ophthalmologist receives a minimum of 12 years of education beyond high school. He receives a Doctor of Medicine(MD) degree.

[edit] Training

Beyond the study of correction of refractive errors, optometrists are qualified to treat patients with a variety of eye infections, disorders, and diseases. In contrast, ophthalmologists have a full medical education, followed by extensive clinical and surgical training in ophthalmology.

[edit] History

The term optometrists was coined by Landolt in 1886, referring to the "fitting of glasses". Prior to this, there was a distinction between "dispensing" and "refracting" opticians in the 19th century. The latter were later called optometrists. Apparently the first schools of optometry were established in 1850-1900 (presumably in USA).

Eye Care has been there since time immemorial and the exact timeline for when ophthalmology came into being cannot be said. Since the fifth century BC scientists in India have been doing simple eye treatments or surgery, records say.

[edit] Namesake

They both can prescribe medicines and perform surgeries, but depending on location, Ophthalmologists can prescribe a broader range of drugs/therapies and can perform more complex surgeries. Optometrists are often referred to as a “primary eye-care provider”. They are not physicians; they may refer a patient to surgeons for treatments beyond the scope of their legal practice whenever needed. Ophthalmologists (Ophthalmology) are physicians. They are categorized as physicians or surgeons, often refered to as an eye M.D.