What’s the difference between an optometrist and ophthalmologist?

What’s the difference between an optometrist and ophthalmologist?

Both are eye care specialists, trained in caring for eyes:

• Optometrists prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and provide care for routine and some medical eye conditions. Some optometrists specialize in a particular area, like pediatrics or difficult to fit contact lenses.
• Ophthalmologists provide total eye care and often specialize in particular aspects of medical eye care such as glaucoma or retinal conditions. They can diagnose and treat eye conditions using medication, surgery and other procedures.

Optometrists and ophthalmologists coordinate together to meet all the eye care needs of their patients.