Medical Specialties

What Is an Optometrist?

While optometrists don’t attend medical school, they do receive four years of professional education at a college of optometry.
By
Updated on September 19, 2023
by

An optometrist is a nonmedical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, and disorders of the eye and visual system.

Optometrists can do the following, as detailed by the American Optometric Association (AOA):

  • Perform eye exams and vision tests
  • Prescribe and dispense corrective lenses
  • Detect some eye abnormalities
  • Prescribe medications for some eye diseases
  • Guide rehabilitation for low vision
  • Offer vision therapy
  • Counsel about surgical and nonsurgical options
  • Perform some surgical procedures

Optometrist Training and Education

Optometrists do not attend medical school.

After graduating from a college or university, aspiring optometrists receive four years of professional education at a college of optometry.

Once finished, they have obtained a doctor of optometry (OD) degree, notes the AOA.

Some optometrists go on to complete a residency in a specific area of optometry.

Optometrists must become licensed in the state where they practice.

Optometrist vs Ophthalmologist vs Optician

Unlike optometrists, ophthalmologists are medical doctors.

After receiving an undergraduate degree, ophthalmologists complete four years of medical school and one year of an internship, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Then ophthalmologists spend at least three years as a resident in a hospital setting. They receive  training in all aspects of eye care, including prevention, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases and injuries.

Opticians are also nonmedical professionals. They are technicians trained to design and fit glasses, lenses and frames, contact lenses, and other devices to correct eyesight, according to the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine.

Where Do Optometrists Work?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that most optometrists work in private offices.

Other locations where they may work include:

  • Doctors’ offices
  • Retail stores
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Hospitals
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
ghazala-okeefe-bio

Ghazala O'Keefe, MD

Medical Reviewer
Ghazala O'Keefe, MD, is an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where she also serves as the section director for uveitis and as a fellowship director. A retina and uveitis specialist, she cares for both pediatric patients and adults with inflammatory and infectious eye diseases. She oversees the largest uveitis section in the Southeast and manages the care of complex patients with physicians from other disciplines. 

She is the lead editor of the EyeWiki uveitis section. She is a member of the executive committee of the American Uveitis Society and was inducted into the International Uveitis Study Group. She has served as the director of the Southeastern Vitreoretinal Seminar since 2019.
See full bio
Cathy Cassata

Cathy Cassata

Author

Cathy Cassata is a freelance writer who specializes in stories about health, mental health, medical news, and inspirational people. She writes with empathy and accuracy, and has a knack for connecting with readers in an insightful and engaging way. Cassata contributes to Healthline, Verywell, Yahoo, and more.

She previously worked for the American Association of Medical Assistants for eight years, writing and editing the magazine, marketing materials, and the website. Cassata completed the editing certificate program at the University of Chicago.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Additional Sources