An Ophthalmologist is an MD (a medical doctor qualified to perform surgery and prescribe drugs) with specialized training (eyeMD). After graduating from college, an Ophthalmologist attends four years of Medical School, one year of Internship, and completes a series of National Exams (analogous to the Bar in Law). He/She is then fully qualified to obtain State Medical Licenses, and Federal and State licenses to prescribe medications, and, therefore, is qualified to practice General Medicine. After an additional three years of training in Ophthalmology, at an approved Residency Program, an Ophthalmologist is born.
Many, but not all Ophthalmologists are also "Board Certified" by the American Board of Ophthalmology. To become Board Certified an Ophthalmologist takes a killer written exam one year after entering clinical practice, and a terrifying oral examination after two years of clinical practice.
By selecting a Board Certified Ophthalmologist, you have just selected a physician with 14 years of higher education, and a minimum of 6 years of practice as a physician, with 5 of those years specializing in medical and surgical diseases of the eye. Board Certified Ophthalmologists have achieved the highest level of certification available. They are also qualified to prescribe glasses and contacts.
Optometrists and Opticians are NOT physicians. They cannot perform surgery, but Optometrists can use medications under many circumstances, to treat many eye conditions.
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