What is an Ophthalmologist?
Understanding eye and vision specialists
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical management of eye diseases and vision disorders. Their training path is one of the longer ones in medicine: after medical school, ophthalmologists complete a one-year internship followed by a three-year ophthalmology residency. Many then pursue fellowship training in a subspecialty like retina, glaucoma, cornea, pediatric ophthalmology, or oculoplastics (surgery of the eyelids and orbit).
It's worth understanding how ophthalmologists differ from other eye care providers. Optometrists hold a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and primarily handle routine vision exams, prescribe glasses and contacts, and manage common conditions like dry eye. Ophthalmologists, as MDs or DOs, can do all of that plus perform eye surgery and treat complex diseases. Opticians, meanwhile, fill lens prescriptions but don't diagnose or treat eye conditions.
What does an ophthalmologist treat?
Ophthalmologists manage a broad range of conditions. Cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachments are among the most common. They also treat eye infections, corneal diseases, strabismus (crossed eyes), and eye injuries. For many of these conditions, early detection through a dilated eye exam makes a significant difference in outcomes.
On the surgical side, ophthalmologists perform cataract removal, LASIK and other refractive surgeries, glaucoma procedures, retinal repair, corneal transplants, and eyelid surgery. Cataract surgery alone is one of the most frequently performed procedures in the country, with roughly 4 million cases done each year in the U.S.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends a baseline comprehensive eye exam by age 40, even if you have no symptoms. If you have diabetes, a family history of glaucoma, or high myopia, earlier and more frequent exams are advised. Vision loss from conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration often develops gradually with no pain or obvious warning signs, which is why routine screening matters. If you're due for an eye exam or experiencing changes in your vision, you can find an ophthalmologist near you through our directory.