A physician who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. They provide a full spectrum of care including routine eye exams, diagnosis and medical treatment of eye disorders and diseases, prescriptions for eyeglasses, surgery, and management of eye problems that are caused by systemic illnesses. Ophthalmologists can be medical doctors (M.D.) or doctors of osteopathy (D.O.). After completing 4 years of undergraduate study at a college or university, ophthalmologists attend 4 years of medical school to obtain an M.D. or D.O. degree. After graduating from medical school, they complete a 1-year internship and 3 years of training in ophthalmology in a residency program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Following residency, ophthalmologists may enroll in a 1- to 2-year fellowship program.

Are key members of a team whose goal is to provide evaluation, understanding, and treatment to children and adults with disorders affecting visual functionThe focus of orthoptics is the evaluation and non-surgical treatment of disorders of vision, eye movements, and eye alignment. Orthoptics combine diagnostic ability, technical understanding and therapeutic skills. Orthoptists are actively involved in the decision-making for patient care. By choosing various test procedures, the orthoptist formulates a statement of impressions including a differential diagnosis and possible modes of non-surgical treatment. To maintain certification an orthoptist must remain in good standing as outlined in the Code of Ethics determined by the American Orthoptic Council and accrue the required number of approved continuing education credits.

Also called doctors of optometry (O.D.) diagnose and treat vision problems, eye diseases and related conditions, and prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and medications to treat eye disorders. They cannot perform surgery, but they often provide patients with pre- and postsurgical care. Sometimes ophthalmologists and optometrists work in the same practice and co-manage patients. Optometrists must complete at least 3 years of study at an accredited college or university before beginning optometry training; however, most optometry students have a bachelor's degree or higher.  Next, they must attend an accredited 4-year optometry school and, after graduation, they must pass written and clinical state board examinations. Some optometrists go on to obtain a master's degree or Ph.D. in visual science, physiological optics, neurophysiology, or public health.