It is any healthcare worker involved in eye care, from one with a small amount of post-secondary training to practitioners with a doctoral level of education.
To become a physician, after college they must go through 4 years of medical and surgical training where they are extensively educated in treating all parts of the human anatomy, including the eye.
[4][5] Their training includes, but is not limited to, coursework (classroom, clinical, and community experiences) that covers science, the latest innovations in treatment and diagnosis, problem-solving and communication skills, prevention and care, professionalism, and medical ethics.
[4] After receiving the doctorate in medicine, the ophthalmologist completes 4 additional years of subspecialty training that includes an internship year, where they are exposed to broad clinical, hospital consultative and operative experiences in a variety of disciplines (subspecialties) covering every part of the eye including: cataract/anterior segment, cornea/external disease, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology/orbit, ocular pathology/oncology, oculoplastic/orbit, pediatric ophthalmology/strabismus, refractive management/intervention, retina/vitreous, and uveitis.
Optometrists receive their medical eye training while in Optometry school and during internships (hospitals, private practices, universities, VA's etc.).
In the United States, Optometrists in some cases are considered doctors within their scope of practice and bill medical insurances according to Medicare.
[10] Outside of the United States and Canada, Optometrists typically do not hold a doctorate degree and may be limited in providing surgical treatments.
[12] Ocularists specialize in the fabrication and fitting of ocular prostheses for people who have lost eyes due to trauma or illness.
Their training is usually combined with a two or three year applied science degree and they assist an ophthalmologist or optometrist in the hospital or clinic with vision testing.
Vision therapists typically use prisms, eye patches, filtered lenses, and computerized systems to conduct therapy sessions.
[13][failed verification] Orthoptists are primarily found working alongside ophthalmologists and optometrists to co-manage binocular vision treatment, visual field loss management and accommodative therapy.
All three types of professional perform screenings for common ocular problems affecting children (such as amblyopia and strabismus) and adults (such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy).
[14] All are required to participate in ongoing continuing education courses to maintain licensure and stay current on the latest standards of care.