Ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye exams, diagnose and treat disease, prescribe medications, and perform eye surgery. They also write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses. Ophthalmologists complete at least 12 years of education and training, including a four-year undergraduate program, four years of medical school to become an MD or DO, one year of an internship, and at least three years of residency (hospital-based training) in ophthalmology. They can also opt to pursue further specialized training through fellowships.