Optometrist

OPTOMETRIST: An optometrist can diagnose and treat many issues that affect your eyes. If you need a surgical procedure, you would be sent to an ophthalmologist or surgeon as an optometrist is not licensed for these procedures. Optometrists diagnose and treat vision problems and eye diseases. They regularly perform eye exams and work to identify problems in your vision which might include cataracts, glaucoma, or most commonly blurred vision (called refractive errors). Optometrists can prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, or medication to correct vision.

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OPHTHALMOLOGIST:  An ophthalmologist is a surgically licensed eye care provider.  They are medical doctors (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO) and are qualified to diagnose and treat eye and vision problems, including performing surgery on your eyes. Ophthalmologists must complete more years of training/education than optometrists. Ophthalmologists can treat adults or children who have eye or vision issues.

Optometrists are referred to as doctors of optometry or DO even though they are not required to go to medical school.  Optometrists must earn a Bachelor's degree and then attend an additional 4-year optometry program. While earning a Bachelor's degree students must complete several required requisites like Organic Chemistry, Microbiology, and Physics. In order to be accepted into an optometry program, students must pass the OAT (Optometry Admission Test).  This test checks science, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning abilities. Once a student has been accepted into a DO program, their coursework will include anatomy and visual science courses. A 4-year DO degree also involves supervised clinical experience.  To obtain a license after all coursework has been completed, a student will need to pass all sections of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam. 

To become an ophthalmologist, students must complete a Bachelor's degree, a 4-year medical degree, a 1-year internship, and a 3 to 4-year ophthalmology (eye surgery) residency.  After completing a Bachelor's degree, students must take the Medical College Admissions Test) MCAT before they are accepted into any medical school.  Choosing a Bachelor's degree in a science-based major will help students prepare for medical school. During residency, students are not fully licensed to be a doctor but work under the supervision of licensed doctors.  Residencies are paid positions, albeit at a lower rate than licensed doctors.  Residency programs work on a ranking system where students rank their top programs, and programs rank their top students.  Based on these rankings, students are matched to a residency program location.

Utah Earning Potential Averages For Optometrists: (Jobs.Utah.Gov) 

US Earning Potential Averages For Ophthalmologists: (Jobs.Utah.Gov)