Can an Optometrist Call Himself a Doctor?

Yes, an optometrist can call himself a doctor. Optometrists hold a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, a doctoral-level credential earned after four years of specialized graduate training. The title “doctor” is accurate, professionally recognized, and legally appropriate for licensed optometrists across the United States, including Arizona.

Knowing who qualifies as a doctor in eye care matters because it shapes where you go for help, what care you receive, and whether you get the right treatment at the right time.

This article explains what the OD credential means, what optometrists are trained to do, and how to choose the right eye care provider for your specific needs.

What Does “Doctor” Mean in Eye Care?

The word “doctor” does not belong exclusively to physicians. In the United States, the title applies to anyone who has earned a doctoral degree in their field — including optometrists, dentists, chiropractors, and psychologists. What matters is the type of doctoral degree and the scope of practice it authorizes.

In eye care, two types of doctors serve patients: optometrists and ophthalmologists. Both use the title “doctor.” Both are licensed healthcare providers. The difference lies in their training, their degree type, and the range of conditions they are qualified to treat.

The Difference Between a Medical Degree and a Doctoral Degree

An ophthalmologist holds a Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. After medical school, they complete a residency in ophthalmology and are licensed to perform eye surgery and treat complex medical eye diseases.

An optometrist holds a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. This is a doctoral degree — not a medical degree — earned through a four-year optometry school program following undergraduate education. Optometrists are primary eye care providers. They examine eyes, diagnose vision problems, detect eye disease, prescribe corrective lenses, and in most states, prescribe medications for certain eye conditions.

Both are doctors. Neither title is misleading. They simply represent different training paths and different scopes of clinical practice.

How Optometrists Are Trained and Licensed

Becoming an optometrist requires a minimum of eight years of education. Students complete a four-year undergraduate degree followed by four years at an accredited optometry school, where they earn the OD degree. Many optometrists complete additional residency training in areas such as pediatric eye care, low vision, or ocular disease.

After graduation, optometrists must pass national board examinations administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) and meet state-specific licensing requirements. In Arizona, optometrists are licensed by the Arizona State Board of Optometry and are authorized to diagnose and treat a defined range of eye conditions, including prescribing therapeutic pharmaceutical agents.

Understanding what an optometrist is trained to do starts with knowing what a comprehensive eye exam actually covers — our comprehensive eye exams page explains every step of the process and what patients can expect during their visit.

What an OD Degree Covers

Optometry school training includes clinical coursework in ocular anatomy, visual optics, binocular vision, contact lens fitting, ocular pharmacology, and the diagnosis of systemic diseases with ocular manifestations — such as diabetes and hypertension. Students complete thousands of hours of supervised patient care before graduating.

This training equips optometrists to serve as the first point of contact for most eye care needs. They are skilled at identifying when a condition is within their scope and when a patient needs to be referred to a specialist.

What Optometrists Can and Cannot Do

Optometrists provide primary eye care. In Arizona, their scope of practice includes:

• Performing comprehensive eye exams
• Diagnosing refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism
• Prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses
• Detecting and monitoring conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy
• Prescribing topical and oral medications for certain eye conditions, including infections, inflammation, and dry eye disease
• Providing pre- and post-operative care for patients undergoing eye surgery

Optometrists do not perform surgery. They are not trained to operate on the eye, and surgical procedures — including LASIK, cataract surgery, and retinal surgery — fall within the exclusive scope of ophthalmologists.

Optometrists provide a wide range of primary eye care — from prescribing corrective lenses to detecting early signs of systemic disease — and our eye care services page outlines the full scope of what our team offers patients of all ages.

When an Optometrist Refers You to an Ophthalmologist

Optometrists are trained to recognize when a patient's condition exceeds their scope of practice. A referral to an ophthalmologist is appropriate when a patient needs:

• Eye surgery (cataract removal, LASIK, retinal repair)
• Treatment for advanced glaucoma unresponsive to medication
• Management of complex retinal diseases
• Diagnosis or treatment of rare or severe ocular conditions

A referral is not a sign that something is wrong with your care. It is a sign that your optometrist is doing their job correctly — identifying the right level of care for your specific condition and connecting you with the specialist who can provide it.

When a condition requires surgical intervention or advanced medical treatment, your optometrist will coordinate your care — learn more about how our ophthalmology referral process works and what to expect when a specialist is needed. <!–NEW PAGE NEEDED–>

Ophthalmologists vs. Optometrists — Who Should You See?

For most patients, an optometrist is the right starting point. Routine eye exams, vision correction, contact lens fittings, and the management of common eye conditions are all within an optometrist's scope. If you are experiencing vision changes, eye discomfort, or are due for an annual exam, an optometrist can evaluate your eyes, provide a diagnosis, and determine whether additional care is needed.

An ophthalmologist is the appropriate choice when you have a known condition requiring surgery, a complex medical eye disease, or when your optometrist has identified something that requires specialist-level evaluation.

Choosing the right provider depends on your specific symptoms and diagnosis — our eye conditions we treat page helps patients identify which type of care is most appropriate for their situation.

In practice, optometrists and ophthalmologists work together. Your optometrist manages your ongoing eye health, monitors chronic conditions, and coordinates with ophthalmology when surgical or advanced medical care is needed. This collaborative model ensures patients receive continuous, coordinated care without unnecessary gaps.

What to Expect at Arizona's Vision Eye Care Center

At Arizona's Vision Eye Care Center in Phoenix, AZ, our optometrists provide comprehensive primary eye care for patients of all ages. We conduct thorough eye exams, diagnose and monitor eye conditions, prescribe corrective lenses, and manage a wide range of ocular health concerns. When a patient's needs extend beyond our scope, we coordinate referrals to trusted ophthalmology specialists and remain involved in their ongoing care.

Our goal is to make sure every patient understands their diagnosis, their options, and their next step — whether that means a new prescription, a follow-up appointment, or a referral to a surgeon. You will never leave our office without a clear plan.

Arizona's Vision Eye Care Center makes it easy to get the right care at the right time — visit our page to schedule an eye exam and connect with our team in Phoenix, AZ.

Conclusion

Optometrists are doctors. Their OD degree is a doctoral credential earned through rigorous training, and their title is both accurate and legally recognized. Understanding the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist helps patients make confident, informed decisions about their eye care.

Knowing which provider to see — and when — removes the uncertainty that often delays necessary care. Most eye care needs begin and end with an optometrist, with specialist referrals available when the situation calls for it.

At Arizona's Vision Eye Care Center, our team is here to guide you through every step of your eye health journey with clarity, expertise, and genuine patient-centered care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an optometrist legally use the title “doctor”?

Yes. Optometrists hold a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, which is a doctoral-level credential. The title “doctor” is legally and professionally appropriate for licensed optometrists in all U.S. states, including Arizona.

What is the difference between an OD and an MD in eye care?

An OD (Doctor of Optometry) is a primary eye care provider trained to examine eyes, diagnose vision problems, and treat many eye conditions. An MD ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who completed medical school and a surgical residency, qualifying them to perform eye surgery and treat complex medical eye diseases.

Can an optometrist diagnose eye disease?

Yes. Optometrists are trained to diagnose a wide range of eye conditions, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye disease. They can also detect signs of systemic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure during a routine eye exam.

When should I see an ophthalmologist instead of an optometrist?

You should see an ophthalmologist when you need eye surgery, have a complex retinal or corneal condition, or when your optometrist identifies a condition that requires specialist-level medical or surgical treatment. For routine exams and most eye health concerns, an optometrist is the appropriate first step.

Do optometrists prescribe medication?

In Arizona, licensed optometrists are authorized to prescribe topical and oral medications for a range of eye conditions, including infections, inflammation, allergies, and dry eye disease. The specific medications they may prescribe are defined by Arizona state law and their individual licensure.

Is an optometrist a real doctor?

Yes. An optometrist is a real doctor with a doctoral degree in optometry. While they are not medical doctors (MDs), they are licensed healthcare professionals with doctoral-level training, clinical expertise, and the legal authority to diagnose and treat eye conditions within their defined scope of practice.

How is an optometrist different from an optician?

An optometrist is a doctoral-level eye care provider who examines eyes, diagnoses conditions, and prescribes corrective lenses and medications. An optician is a technician trained to fit and dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses based on a prescription written by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Opticians do not examine eyes or diagnose conditions.