Which term describes an eye doctor who specializes in medicine and surgery?

• A. Ophthalmologist
• B. Optometrist
• C. Vision rehabilitation therapist
• D. Oculist

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is the level of training and scope of practice. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye medicine and eye surgery, after completing medical school and a residency in ophthalmology. That combination lets them diagnose eye diseases, prescribe medications, and perform surgical procedures on the eye. An optometrist focuses on vision testing, refractive care, and may diagnose and manage certain conditions, but typically does not perform eye surgery. The term oculist is an older, now largely outdated word for an eye doctor. A vision rehabilitation therapist helps people adapt to vision loss with adaptive skills and devices, not medical treatment or surgery.