Patients

Which Eye Doctor Do I Need?

Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist

Which eye doctor do I need?

Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both eye doctors. In Florida, both diagnose and treat eye disease and prescribe medication. The key difference is surgery. Ophthalmologists are eye surgeons. Optometrists provide everything else: eye exams, glasses and contacts, and medical care for eye infections, injuries, dry eye, glaucoma, the retina and more.

So for almost any eye problem that doesn’t need an operation, an optometrist can examine you, diagnose it and treat it, often the same day. If you ever need surgery, your optometrist refers you to a surgeon and cares for you before and after.

Not sure where to go? Start with an optometrist. We can see you the same day during office hours, and we refer you to a surgeon only if you need one.

Optometrist (O.D.)Doctor of Optometry. Eye exams, glasses, contacts, and diagnosis and medical treatment of eye disease, including prescription drops and oral medication.

Ophthalmologist (M.D. or D.O.)A medical doctor who completed a surgical residency. Provides medical eye care and performs eye surgery, lasers and eye injections.

OpticianFits, adjusts and makes glasses from a doctor’s prescription. Dr. Tumolo is both an optometrist and a licensed optician.

What optometrists in Florida can do

Florida licenses certified optometrists to diagnose and treat diseases of the eye and to prescribe ocular medications, including oral medications from the state formulary (Florida Statutes, Chapter 463). At Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists, that means our optometrists:

Diagnose and treat pink eye, eye infections and corneal ulcers
Remove foreign bodies and treat eye injuries and corneal abrasions
Diagnose and manage glaucoma, including prescription pressure-lowering drops
Examine and monitor the retina: diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and flashes, floaters and retinal tears
Treat uveitis and iritis with prescription steroid and dilating drops
Treat dry eye, blepharitis and Demodex, styes and eye allergies
Prescribe oral medications when needed, such as antibiotics, antivirals, steroids and pain medication
Fit glasses and contacts, including scleral lenses for keratoconus, and myopia management for kids
Care for you before and after cataract surgery and LASIK (co-management)

What only an ophthalmologist does: surgery

When a problem needs an operation, a laser procedure or an injection inside the eye, you need an ophthalmologist. Examples include:

Cataract surgery and lens implants
LASIK, PRK, SMILE, EVO ICL and refractive lens exchange
Glaucoma lasers and surgery
Retinal detachment repair and other retina surgery
Eye injections for wet macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema
Eyelid surgery, such as blepharoplasty and ptosis repair, and pterygium removal

We refer you to trusted surgeons in Tampa Bay when you need one, and we stay involved in your care.

Who to see for what

Your concern	Who to see
Yearly eye exam, glasses or contacts	Optometrist
Red, goopy, painful or irritated eye	Optometrist, same day
Something in your eye, or a scratched eye	Optometrist, same day
New flashes or floaters	Optometrist, same day; we refer to a retina surgeon if a tear needs repair
Dry eye, burning or gritty eyes	Optometrist
Glaucoma testing and treatment with drops	Optometrist; referral if you need a laser or surgery
Diabetic eye exam	Optometrist; referral if you need injections or laser
Macular degeneration monitoring	Optometrist; referral for injections if wet AMD develops
Child’s first eye exam (from age 1)	Optometrist
Cloudy vision from a cataract	Optometrist to diagnose and monitor; ophthalmologist for surgery
LASIK or other vision correction surgery	Ophthalmologist; optometrist for before and after care
Eyelid surgery or pterygium removal	Ophthalmologist

Training

Optometrists earn a four-year Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree after college, and many complete a residency. Florida optometrists pass national board exams and are licensed by the Florida Board of Optometry. Ophthalmologists earn a medical degree (M.D. or D.O.), then complete an internship and a surgical residency in ophthalmology.

How we work with surgeons

Most patients see us for all of their eye care and only see a surgeon for the procedure itself. We refer to cataract, retina, cornea, glaucoma and eyelid surgeons in Tampa Bay, send your records and imaging, and see you for follow-up visits close to home. Learn more about surgery co-management.

Common questions

Is an optometrist a real doctor?

Yes. Optometrists earn a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree and are licensed to diagnose and treat eye disease. In Florida, certified optometrists also prescribe oral medications.

What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

Both are eye doctors who diagnose and treat eye conditions and prescribe medication. The key difference is surgery: ophthalmologists are medical doctors with surgical training who perform eye surgery, lasers and injections. Optometrists provide nonsurgical eye care and refer you when surgery is needed.

Can an optometrist prescribe medication in Florida?

Yes. Florida certified optometrists prescribe eye drops and oral medications, including antibiotics, antivirals, steroids and pain medication, for eye conditions.

Can an optometrist treat glaucoma?

Yes. Optometrists diagnose glaucoma, prescribe pressure-lowering drops and monitor it over time. If you need a glaucoma laser or surgery, we refer you to a glaucoma surgeon.

Should I see an optometrist or ophthalmologist for an eye infection?

An optometrist. We diagnose and treat eye infections, including contact lens infections and corneal ulcers, usually the same day.

Do I need a referral to see an optometrist?

No. You can book with us directly. Some medical insurance plans require a referral for a specialist, so check your plan if you need surgery.

Who should I see for cataracts?

An optometrist can diagnose cataracts, update your glasses and track changes. When it’s time for surgery, we refer you to a cataract surgeon and can see you for care before and after.