Ophthalmologists (MDs) and doctors of osteopathy (DOs) are the medical doctors on the eye care team. They are trained to deliver total eye care, including surgery, advanced care and prescribing contacts and glasses. Ophthalmologists have four years of medical school, followed by four years of residency and a lifetime of continuing education and refinement. An ophthalmologist is a physician (Doctor of Medicine [M.D.] or Doctor of Osteopathy [D. O.]), who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system, and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. An ophthalmologist has completed four (4) or more years of college premedical education, four (4) or more years of medical school, one (1) year minimum of internship, and three (3) or more years of specialized medical, surgical, and refractive training and experience in eye care. An ophthalmologist is a specialist who is qualified by lengthy medical education, training, and experience to diagnose, treat and manage all eye and visual systems, and is licensed by a state regulatory board to practice medicine and surgery. An ophthalmologist is a medically trained specialist who can deliver total eye care: primary, secondary, and tertiary (i.e., vision services, contact lenses, eye examinations, medical eye care, and surgical eye care), diagnose general diseases of the body, and treat ocular manifestations of systemic disease.

For more information on ophthalmologists, contact Angela Allen, Executive Director, Tennessee Academy of Ophthalmology. 615-460-1653  or  [email protected]