What is the diffference between Ophthalmology and Optometry?

Comes down to the level of specialization. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor, an optometrist has a lesser qualification, but is still licensed to give eye examinations to prescribe lenses. See detail and citations below:



ophthalmology (艔f'th膬lm艔l'蓹j膿) , branch of medicine specializing in the anatomy, function and diseases of the eye. Ophthalmologists specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of eye disorders, vision measurements for glasses (refraction), eye muscle exercises (orthoptics), and the prevention of blindness and care of the blind. Some of the major causes of blindness in adults are cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, senile macular degeneration, retinal detachment and opacities of the cornea. Cataract is the loss of transparency of the lens in the eye; it may follow injury, infection, or aging. Glaucoma occurs when the pressure inside the eye becomes so high that it damages the optic nerve. In diabetic retinopathy, blood cells and serum leak out of the blood vessels and damage the retina. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina is separated from the underlying choroid and sclera, the fibrous base of the eye. The most frequent causes of visual loss in childhood are trauma to the eye and amblyopia. The ability to adjust focus from far to near gradually decreases with age. Important developments in opthalmology include Allvar Gullstrand's slit-lamp (1911), which illuminates the interior of the eye with a beam of light; the tonometer, an instrument used to measure the fluid pressure in the eye; the opthalmometer, which measures the eye's dimensions, capacity, and refractive errors; and the laser, which can be used to perform precise, delicate operations on the human eye. Radial keratotomy alters the curvature of the cornea by means of thin knife incisions, changing the refractive power of the cornea so that people no longer need glasses. Similar procedures are also done using lasers and radio waves. Still in the experimental stages, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) shows promise of use as a sort of 鈥渞etinal glue鈥?to save sight in cases where there is no other treatment available.



optometry (艔pt艔m'蓹tr膿) , eye-care specialty concerned with eye examination, determination of visual abilities, diagnosis of eye diseases and conditions, and the prescription of lenses and other corrective measures. In most states optometrists may prescribe drugs for the treatment of eye diseases. The principal concern of early optometrists was the prescription of corrective lenses for defects of vision due to refractive error. Modern optometry also includes the fitting of contact lenses and of telescopic eyeglasses as an aid to the near-blind, as well as the field of orthoptics, i.e., the practice of strengthening the eye muscles and improving their coordination by eye exercises. Prescriptions for corrective lenses provided by an optometrist are often brought to an optician, who grinds and fits the lenses.

The word optometry came into use in 1904 with the organization of the American Optometric Association. Until this time people bought eyeglasses from traveling vendors whose activities were not supervised. With the passage of optometry laws, this method of dispensing glasses was prohibited. Optometrists must now fulfill certain educational requirements and be examined and licensed by the state. Some of the schools of optometry in the United States are affiliated with colleges or universities. Optometry is a specialty requiring a four-year postgraduate professional degree. See also ophthalmology).

the first is a medical field and requires a medical degree, surgery, drugs, etc.

the second deals with vision correction via external devices, glasses, contact lenses, does not require a medical degree.

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who can perform surgery and prescribe drugs. They also check your eyesight and prescribe glasses.

Optometrists can check your eyesight but are not medical doctors. They can't perform surgery and can't prescribe medicine but they can prescribe glasses.

'Ophthalmology' is basically mixture of two words. 'Ophthalmo' refers to 'Eye' or 'Eye Ball'. 'Ology' refers to 'Study of'.
So the term 'Ophthalmology' is the science or the study of Eyes, the anatomy of Eyes and its functions.

'Optometry' derives from two words again. 'Opto' means vision and 'Metry' refers measurement.
Hence the terms 'optometry' refers the measurement of one's vision of eye sight. Prescribing corrective glasses/lenses.

Optometry desribes the include prescribing drugs, lenses, diagnosis, etc. Ophthomology is the next stage to the optometry. Ophthomologists even make surgeries.