eye doctor

noun

an ophthalmologist.

an optometrist.

Origin

1880-85

Can be confused

eye doctor, ophthalmologist, optician, optometrist (see synonym study at the current entry)

Synonyms

The term eye doctor refers generally to an ophthalmologist, but is also used informally (and imprecisely) in referring to an optometrist. An ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye. Ophthalmologists may prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses and also treat eye diseases with drugs and surgery. An optometrist is not a physician. Optometrists are professionally licensed to test a person for vision defects, prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses, and prescribe therapeutic exercises, but they do not perform surgery and in most U.S. states may not prescribe drugs. An optician is licensed to make, sell, and fit glasses and, in most U.S. states, contact lenses prescribed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The term oculist, which formerly referred to an ophthalmologist, is no longer used.

Examples from the web for eye doctor

Go right ahead and use them, but if you have problems, don't go crying to your eye doctor.
The eye doctor said it to me first, that without the eye you could never navigate through your day.
However, they should be closely followed-up by an eye doctor trained to treat diabetic retinopathy.
The eye doctor injects a bubble of gas into the eye.
She said her eye doctor thought her right cornea was a little damaged, but her eyesight had not been harmed.
The screening must be done or supervised by an eye doctor who is legally allowed to do this service in your state.
Your health care team can tell you the name of an eye doctor in your area.
Each qualified participant will have an eye doctor's diagnosis of dry eye disease.
If you are extremely light-sensitive, check with your eye doctor to see if it can be corrected.