Key points
- Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who diagnose and treat all kinds of eye problems and perform eye surgery.
- Optometrists hold a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. They prescribe glasses and contacts, spot some eye problems and give some eye medicines, but they are licensed to practice optometry, not medicine.
- Opticians fit and supply glasses and contacts. They don't examine eyes or give medicine.
- In Philadelphia, the Wills Eye Emergency Department at Jefferson is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and Penn's Scheie Eye Institute runs a weekday same-day clinic for urgent eye problems.
Three different jobs, one shared goal
The three titles sound alike, and many people use "eye doctor" for all of them. They are different professions with different training. Knowing which one fits your situation can save you a wasted visit, a second copay or a delay in getting the right care.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) describes an eye care team led by ophthalmologists. That team also includes optometrists, opticians, nurses, medical assistants, technicians and photographers. In practice, you may meet several of these people in a single office, and the National Eye Institute (NEI) notes that your eye doctor may have an optician working on site.
| Question | Ophthalmologist | Optometrist | Optician |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree | MD or DO (medical doctor) | OD (Doctor of Optometry) | Not a doctor |
| Training described by AAO | 4-year college degree, 4 years of medical school, then at least 4 more years of medical and surgical training | 2 to 4 years of college, then 4 years of optometry school | Not covered by AAO's training summary |
| Examines eyes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Prescribes glasses or contacts | Yes | Yes | Fits and supplies them |
| Gives eye medicines | Yes | Some | No |
| Performs eye surgery | Yes | No | No |
| Scope described by AAO | All aspects of eye care, including diagnosis, management and surgery of eye diseases | Licensed to practice optometry, not medicine | Helps choose and fit eyewear |
What an ophthalmologist does
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor, either an MD or a DO, who specializes in the eye. According to AAO EyeSmart, that medical training makes ophthalmologists "the most qualified among eye care professionals" to diagnose and treat a wide range of eye diseases, beyond the routine care an optometrist provides.
The path is long. AAO describes a four-year college degree, four years of medical school and then at least four more years of medical and surgical training. The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) sums it up simply: ophthalmologists can treat all kinds of eye problems and perform eye surgery.
Many ophthalmologists go on to subspecialize. Philadelphia's academic centers list separate services for areas such as cataract, cornea, retina and pediatric eye care. If you already know you need a subspecialist, our guide to Philadelphia's academic eye centers walks through what each one offers.
What an optometrist does
Optometrists are not medical doctors. They earn a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree after two to four years of college and four years of optometry school, according to AAO. AAO also notes that optometrists are licensed to practice optometry, not medicine.
Per AAPOS, optometrists can prescribe glasses or contacts, spot some eye problems and give some eye medicines. For general eye care, NEI says either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist is a good option. Many people see an optometrist for regular checkups and new prescriptions.
Rules about exactly which medicines and procedures optometrists may provide are set at the state level. This guide has not verified Pennsylvania's specific optometry rules, so if a particular service matters to you, ask the office directly what its clinicians are licensed to do.
What an optician does
Opticians help you choose glasses or contacts and make sure your glasses fit properly. AAPOS is clear that opticians don't examine eyes or give medicine. You'll usually see an optician after an optometrist or ophthalmologist has written your prescription, often in the same office or in an eyewear shop.
If your frames slide down your nose, your new lenses feel off, or you want help picking a style, an optician is the right person. If your vision itself has changed or your eyes hurt, that is a question for an optometrist or ophthalmologist instead.
Which professional fits your situation?
The table below reflects the general guidance from NEI, AAO and AAPOS. It is not a diagnosis tool. Only a clinician who examines you can tell you what you need, and an optometrist may refer you on to an ophthalmologist if something needs medical or surgical care.
| Your situation | Where people usually start | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Routine eye exam or checkup | Optometrist or ophthalmologist | NEI says either is a good option for general eye care |
| New glasses or contacts prescription | Optometrist or ophthalmologist | Both can prescribe glasses and contacts |
| Picking frames or fixing how glasses fit | Optician | Opticians fit and supply eyewear |
| A serious eye problem or known eye disease | Ophthalmologist | NEI says you may want an ophthalmologist, who may offer treatments such as surgery |
| Anything that may need eye surgery | Ophthalmologist | Only ophthalmologists perform eye surgery |
| A child's eye care beyond a routine check | Pediatric ophthalmologist | In Philadelphia, Penn's pediatric ophthalmology care is provided at CHOP |
| A retina condition | Retina specialist (an ophthalmologist) | NEI points to the American Society of Retina Specialists search tool |
If you think you have an eye emergency, call 911 or go to an emergency department. In Philadelphia, the Wills Eye Emergency Department at Jefferson is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and Jefferson says it is one of only three ERs in the U.S. dedicated to emergency eye care. Penn's Scheie Eye Institute offers same-day appointments for urgent eye problems from noon to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday, at its emergency clinic in Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
How to find each type of care in Philadelphia
Finding an optometrist
NEI's Finding an Eye Doctor page points to the American Optometric Association's Find an Optometrist tool. NEI's eye care professional guide also lists the American Board of Optometry's Optometrist Search. NEI doesn't endorse specific eye care professionals, and neither do we.
Finding an ophthalmologist
AAO runs a Find an Eye M.D. directory where you can search by location. NEI also suggests calling the ophthalmology or optometry department at a nearby hospital or university medical center. Philadelphia has several. For a broader overview of your options, start with our independent guide to finding an ophthalmologist in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia's hospital-based eye departments
| Institution | Main address | Phone | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wills Eye Hospital / Jefferson | 840 Walnut Street, Floor 10, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | 215-928-3000 | 24/7 eye emergency department; subspecialty suites at 900 Walnut Street (ophthalmology line 215-928-3080) |
| Penn Medicine Scheie Eye Institute | Penn Presbyterian, 51 N. 39th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 | 215-662-8100 | Weekday same-day urgent clinic, noon to 3:30 pm |
| Temple Ophthalmology | Temple University Hospital, 3401 N. Broad Street, Parkinson Pavilion, Suite 630, Philadelphia, PA 19140 | 800-836-7536 | Also at Jeanes Campus (7500 Central Avenue, Suite 201, 19111) and Chestnut Hill (33 E Chestnut Hill Ave) |
| CHOP Division of Ophthalmology | Main Campus plus satellite sites in PA and NJ | 215-590-2791 | Comprehensive pediatric eye practice, academically affiliated with Scheie/Penn |
Jefferson's ophthalmology office is on the 10th floor of Wills Eye Hospital, at the corner of 9th and Walnut, across from the Walnut Street Theatre. Wills Eye's driving directions use I-95 Exit 22 (Independence Hall/Callowhill Street), then 8th Street to Walnut. That page is several years old, so check current directions before you drive.
Care for children, and adults with strabismus
CHOP's ophthalmology division sees more than 15,000 children a year and performs about 1,500 surgical procedures a year, according to its fellowship page. Adult strabismus clinics are run jointly by CHOP and Scheie Eye Institute, which is useful to know if you are an adult with a long-standing eye alignment issue.
Free community screenings
Penn's Scheie Eye Institute In MOTION program offers free community screenings in Philadelphia for cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. A screening is not a full exam, but it can be a starting point if cost or access has kept you from getting your eyes checked.
Before you book: a short checklist
- Decide what kind of visit you needUse the table above as a rough guide. Routine exam or new prescription points to an optometrist or ophthalmologist; a serious problem or possible surgery points to an ophthalmologist; fitting eyewear points to an optician.
- Check your coverageNEI suggests asking your insurer which eye care professionals it covers. Some plans treat routine vision care and medical eye care differently, so ask about the specific visit you need. Our insurance and referrals guide covers what to ask.
- Ask about cost up frontIf you're uninsured or your plan doesn't cover eye care, NEI recommends calling the office to ask what the visit will cost.
- Confirm credentialsAsk whether the clinician is an MD, DO or OD, and for ophthalmologists, whether they are board certified. Our guide on how to choose and verify an ophthalmologist explains how to check.
- Confirm the location and hoursLarge systems like Jefferson, Penn and Temple run eye care at more than one address. Make sure you know which building and suite your appointment is in.
Why the distinction matters
Seeing the wrong type of professional is rarely dangerous for routine needs, but it can cost time. If you book an optician for blurry vision, you'll still need an exam. If you book a subspecialist for a simple prescription update, you may wait longer than necessary for an appointment.
The bigger concern is the reverse: treating a serious problem as routine. NEI's guidance is that for serious eye problems, you may want an ophthalmologist, who may offer treatments such as surgery that optometrists don't. When in doubt, a phone call to an eye practice can help you figure out where to start. You can also reach NEI's general information line at (800) 680-2578, in English and Spanish, for general eye health information.
Frequently asked questions
Is an optometrist a real doctor?
Optometrists hold a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, but they are not medical doctors. AAO notes they are licensed to practice optometry, not medicine. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors with an MD or DO.
Can I see an optometrist for a routine eye exam instead of an ophthalmologist?
Yes. The National Eye Institute says either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist is a good option for general eye care.
Can an optician check my vision or write a prescription?
No. According to AAPOS, opticians help you choose glasses or contacts and make sure glasses fit, but they don't examine eyes or give medicine.
Where can I go in Philadelphia for an urgent eye problem?
The Wills Eye Emergency Department at Jefferson is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Penn's Scheie Eye Institute offers same-day urgent appointments from noon to 3:30 pm on weekdays at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. For an emergency, call 911 or go to an emergency department.
Where do children in Philadelphia see an eye specialist?
Penn's pediatric ophthalmology care is provided at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. CHOP's Division of Ophthalmology sees patients on its Main Campus and at satellite sites in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and can be reached at 215-590-2791.
Sources
- What Is an Ophthalmologist? — American Academy of Ophthalmology (EyeSmart)
- The Eye Care Team — American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Find an Ophthalmologist — American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Finding an Eye Doctor — National Eye Institute (NIH)
- Finding an Eye Care Professional (PDF) — National Eye Institute (NIH)
- Facts About Eye Care Professionals (2011 PDF) — National Eye Institute (NIH)
- Contact Us — National Eye Institute (NIH)
- Difference Between an Ophthalmologist, Optometrist and Optician — American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
- Ophthalmology at Wills Eye — Jefferson Health
- Wills Eye Hospital Department Directory — Jefferson Health
- Department of Ophthalmology Contact — Thomas Jefferson University
- Maps and Directions — Wills Eye Hospital
- Ophthalmology — Penn Medicine
- Ophthalmology Services — Temple Health
- Division of Ophthalmology Locations — Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Ophthalmology Fellowship — Children's Hospital of Philadelphia