Ophthalmologist Ophthalmologists are Doctors of Medicine (M.D./D.O.)(physicians) who specialize in<unk> <unk>  - this includes optical, medical and surgical<unk> <unk> . They have a general medical degree, not a degree in<unk> <unk>  specifically.” In the US, this usually includes four years of college, four years of medical school, one year surgical internship and three years of<unk>  specific training (ophthalmology residency). Some surgeons complete additional training (fellowship) in specific areas of the<unk> . Ophthalmologists are qualified to manage any<unk>  disease, perform invasive<unk>  surgery (including injections) and provide general medical<unk>  (non<unk>  related) also. While Ophthalmologists can provide comprehensive<unk> , typically they manage late state<unk>  disease and perform surgery (specialty<unk> . Their training is heavily focused on surgery. Ophthalmic medical practitioner An ophthalmic medical practitioner is a physician who specializes in ophthalmic conditions but who has not completed a specialization in ophthalmology. This title only relates to providers in Europe. Optometrist Optometrists are healthcare<unk> s with a degree in<unk> <unk> , specifically. In the United States and Canada, they are Doctors of Optometry (O.D.) - this includes optical, medical and some surgical<unk> <unk> . Their training typically includes four years of college followed by four years of<unk>  specific training (Optometry school). Some complete an additional 5th year in a specialty area. Optometry school is a specialized program - specific to the<unk> s and related structures. Optometrists receive their medical<unk>  training while in Optometry school and during internships (hospitals, private practices, universities, VA's etc). Education is provided by professors, optometrists and physicians. Often, Optometry students and Ophthalmology residents will work together to co-manage medical cases. O.D.'s are trained and licensed to manage any<unk>  disease (infections, glaucoma, macular degeneration, etc) and practice medicine for<unk>  related conditions - including topical medications <unk>  drops) or those taken by mouth including some schedule controlled substances. They may also order imaging tests (CT/MRI), remove ocular foreign bodies and perform some laser procedures. They are also qualified to perform some surgical procedures. Optometrists have the most optical training of any<unk>  and are the only<unk> <unk>  providers with a degree specific to<unk> <unk> . In the United States, Optometrists are considered physicians within their scope of practice and bill medical insurances accordingly Medicare, Outside of the United States and Canada, Optometrists typically do not hold a doctorate degree and may be limited in providing surgical treatments. However, some countries such as the UK, include a combination of providers where some Optometrists hold postgraduate doctorate degrees and some do not. Orthoptist Orthoptists specialize in diagnosis and management of<unk>  movement and coordination problems, misalignment of the visual axis, convergence and accommodation problems, and conditions such as amblyopia, strabismus, and binocular vision disorders, as outlined by the International Orthoptic Association. They may assist ophthalmologists in surgery, teach orthoptic students, students of other allied health professions, medical students, and ophthalmology residents and fellows, act as vision researchers, perform vision screening, perform low vision assessments and act as clinical administrators. Ocularist Ocularists specialize in the fabrication and fitting of ocular prostheses for people who have lost<unk> s due to trauma or illness. Optician Opticians specialize in the fitting and fabrication of ophthalmic lenses, spectacles, contact lenses, low vision aids and ocular prosthetics. They may also be referred to as an "optical dispenser", "dispensing optician", "ophthalmic dispenser". The prescription for the corrective lenses must be supplied by an ophthalmologist, optometrist or in some countries an orthoptist. This is a regulated profession in most jurisdictions. Ophthalmic medical personnel A collective term for allied health personnel in ophthalmology. It is often used to refer to specialized personnel (unlike ocularists or opticians). In many countries these allied personnel may just be known as an "ophthalmic assistant". Their training is usually combined with a two or three year applied science degree and they assist an ophthalmologist or optometrist in the hospital or clinic with vision testing. In the USA the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology administers OMP certifications: Oculist Oculist is an older term that was primarily used to describe<unk> s that are trained and specialized in the<unk> <unk>  field, specifically ophthalmologists and optometrists. The term is no longer used in the United States. Vision therapist A vision therapist, usually either an orthoptist or optometrist, works with patients that require vision therapy, such as low vision patients. Commonly, vision therapy is performed in children who develop problems with their vision mostly because they are using their<unk> s up close. This type of therapy is however generally used in patients who need visual correction but for whom the corrective lenses are not enough to reverse the condition. Visual therapy in children is performed by optometrists who specialize in children's<unk> <unk> . To specialize in vision therapy, doctors must complete extensive post-graduate training beyond their optometric degree, at which time they are eligible to sit for their national boards to become fully certified as specialists in children's vision. A doctor's title after passing the national board in vision therapy is Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, or F.C.O.V.D. Optometrists who provide vision therapy but who have not yet sat for their certification exams are board-eligible Associates in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Vision therapists typically use prisms,<unk>  patches, filtered lenses, and computerized systems to conduct therapy sessions. Most<unk> s do not practice iridology, citing a significant lack of scientific evidence for the practice.
Eye care professional
Ophthalmic medical practitioner
Dental therapist
Prosthetist
Dental hygienist
Pharmacist
Ophthalmic technician
Dental assistant