What is the difference between Ophthalmology and Optometry?

A person that deals with optometry are referred to as an optometrist, while a person who deals with ophthalmology is called ophthalmologist. They both deal with eye treatment, but the optometrists do not have a medical degree certificate, meanwhile, the ophthalmologists do. The optometrists can obtain an optometry degree, though, but there is an extent to which that can go. They can only deal with some physical parts of the treatment and prescribe drugs or give control measures, but they cannot perform surgical operations on the eyes.

On the other hand, ophthalmologists are like medical doctors; they possess furthered or higher education than the optometrists. They can diagnose the eyes, manage, and even perform surgical operations on them. Their work is broader, and they can deal with relatively every infection that has to do with the eyes. Hence, optometry deals with a surface treatment of the eyes, while ophthalmology deals with a deeper treatment of the eyes.

Ophthalmology and optometry are not the same, which means they differ in some ways. Although, both medical terms are primarily concerned with the study and treatment of the eyes, but they are not the same in their actual meaning. Ophthalmology can be defined as a medical field that deals with the study of the anatomy, functions, pathology and treatment of the eyes.

This particular field in medicine is a course which can be studied in university and other medical schools, and after which you would be awarded M.D Degree. Optometry, on the other hand, also deals with the practice of fixing eyes related problems and they help prescribe the right glasses for those with eyes defects. Those who practice optometry do not necessarily have a M D degree, they are just trained as professional to treat eyes. Most eyes surgeries are done by another ophthalmologist and not an optometrist However, an optometrist can also perform eyes surgery if he has been awarded with Doctor of Optometry. An optometrist helps an ophthalmologist during eyes operation.