Ophthalmologist vs. Optometrist in Atlanta: Which Eye Doctor Do You Actually Need?

Why the two get confused

Both titles start with "opt" or "oph," both professionals are often called "eye doctor," and in many Atlanta offices they work side by side. Even the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) notes on its Eye Care Team page that the line between the two professions is a frequent source of confusion.

The difference comes down to three things: the training each one completes, the license each one holds, and the kind of care each one provides. Once you know those, it gets much easier to decide where to book, or to understand why you were sent from one to the other.

The three eye care professions at a glance

Eye care usually involves up to three different professionals. Here's how national sources describe each one.

The optician description comes from the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. If someone at a glasses counter is adjusting your frames, that is usually an optician, not the person who examined your eyes.

Training: how each one gets there

According to the AAO's explainer on what an ophthalmologist is, the two paths look like this:

So an ophthalmologist goes through medical school and then at least four more years of medical and surgical training focused on the eye. An optometrist goes to optometry school and earns an OD degree instead of an MD or DO.

Keep in mind who is describing whom. The AAO is the professional society for ophthalmologists. Its position is that ophthalmologists are the eye professionals most qualified to diagnose and treat a wide range of eye diseases beyond the routine care an optometrist provides. The National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the federal National Institutes of Health, takes a more neutral approach, which is covered below.

Who licenses eye doctors in Georgia

Georgia licenses the two professions through separate agencies. This matters when you want to confirm that someone is licensed, or if you ever need to raise a concern about care.

Optometrists: Georgia State Board of Optometry

The Georgia State Board of Optometry sits within the Georgia Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division. According to the board's About page, it has six members appointed by the Governor: five licensed, practicing optometrists and one consumer member. The board reviews applications, gives exams, licenses optometrists, regulates their practice and investigates complaints.

The board defines optometry as "the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eyes, and associated structures." The governing law is Title 43, Chapter 30 of the Georgia Code, and the state's contact lens law is at 31-12-12, both listed on the board's rules page.

To get licensed in Georgia, the board's FAQ says candidates must pass:

• The National Board exams (Parts 1, 2 and 3, where applicable)
• The Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD) exam
• The Georgia jurisprudence exam (Rule 430-2-.01)

Ophthalmologists: Georgia Composite Medical Board

Because ophthalmologists are physicians, they are licensed by the Georgia Composite Medical Board, the same agency that licenses other MDs and DOs in the state, including through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. It's a different agency from the Secretary of State's boards. Since July 2025, the medical board has used an online licensing system called the Licensure Gateway.

Opticians: a separate board

Dispensing opticians have their own regulator, the Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians, which is also part of the Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division.

When either one is a good choice

For everyday eye care, NEI's guide to finding an eye doctor says either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist is a good option. According to NEI, both can:

• Give a comprehensive dilated eye exam
• Write prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses
• Prescribe medicines

NEI also points out that a comprehensive dilated eye exam is different from a basic exam for glasses or contacts. A dilated exam can catch eye diseases early, and many of them have no early warning signs (NEI fact sheet on dilated eye exams). When you book, it's reasonable to ask which kind of exam you're scheduled for.

When an ophthalmologist may be the better fit

For serious eye problems, NEI says you may want to see an ophthalmologist, who may offer treatments, such as surgery, that optometrists don't. NEI adds that some ophthalmologists specialize in specific diseases, such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.

In practice, many people start with whichever eye doctor is easiest to reach, and that doctor refers them on if a problem needs a different kind of care. Only a physician who has examined you can say whether your situation calls for an ophthalmologist or a subspecialist. This site can explain how the system works, but it can't make that call for you.

Signs it's time to see an eye doctor

NEI lists these reasons to make an appointment with an eye doctor:

• Your vision is blurry
• Your eyes are red, swollen or painful
• You can't see in focus, even with glasses or contacts
• You think you have a vision problem or eye disease
• Your doctor says you need a dilated eye exam

How to find and check an eye doctor in Atlanta

NEI doesn't give referrals, but its guide to finding an eye care professional suggests a practical approach. Here it is, adapted for Georgia.

1. Ask people you trustNEI suggests asking family, friends or your family doctor which eye doctors they've seen and why.
2. Check your insuranceLook at your insurer's list of covered providers. Eye care can fall under medical coverage, vision coverage or both, so confirm which one applies to your visit.
3. Try a hospital or universityNEI suggests calling the ophthalmology or optometry department at a nearby hospital or university medical center. Our guide to Atlanta's hospital and academic eye care explains the main options.
4. Use national directoriesNEI points to the AAO's Find an Ophthalmologist tool and the American Optometric Association's Find an Optometrist directory.
5. Verify the licenseFor an optometrist, search "Optometry" on the Georgia Secretary of State's License Lookup. For an ophthalmologist, use the Georgia Composite Medical Board's "Verify a Licensee" link.
6. Check board certification for ophthalmologistsNEI notes there is an online portal for checking whether an ophthalmologist is board certified. Our verification guide walks through it.

Helpful links for these steps: the AAO's Find an Eye M.D. tool, the Georgia Secretary of State License Lookup (with separate options for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians), and the Georgia Composite Medical Board homepage. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to check an Atlanta ophthalmologist's Georgia license and board certification. If you're weighing a hospital-based clinic, start with our overview of hospital and academic eye care in Atlanta.

A note on coverage and referrals

The type of eye doctor you see can affect how a visit is billed. A routine exam for glasses may be handled differently from a visit for an eye disease. Some health plans also require a referral before you see a specialist. Requirements vary from plan to plan, so call the number on your insurance card before you book.

For more on medical vs. vision coverage, Georgia Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids, read paying for an ophthalmologist in Atlanta.

How the eye care team works together

In many practices you won't choose one professional to the exclusion of the others. The AAO describes an eye care team led by ophthalmologists that also includes optometrists, nurses, opticians, medical assistants, technicians and photographers. During a single visit, a technician may take measurements, a photographer may capture images of your eye, a doctor may examine you, and an optician may help with your glasses afterward.

If you're unsure who you saw, just ask. It's reasonable to ask for a provider's full name and credentials (MD, DO or OD) so you can look up the license yourself. For a broader orientation, start at our independent guide to finding an ophthalmologist in Atlanta.

Questions to ask when you call

• Will I see an ophthalmologist (MD or DO) or an optometrist (OD)?
• Is this appointment a comprehensive dilated eye exam or a basic exam for glasses or contacts?
• Is the provider in network for my medical plan, my vision plan, or both?
• Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?
• If I need care this practice doesn't offer, how do referrals work?