Doctors of optometry (ODs) are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye. An optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Some optometrists complete an optional residency in a specific area of practice. Optometrists are eye health care professionals state-licensed to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system.

The professional activities performed by an Optometrist related to the fitting of contact lenses to an eye, ongoing evaluation of the cornea's ability to sustain successful contact lens wear, and treatment of any external eye or corneal condition which can affect contact lens wear.

Optometrists who specialize in low-vision care having training to assess visual function, prescribe low-vision devices, develop treatment plans, and recommend other vision rehabilitation services.

Optometrists who work in Pediatrics are concerned with the prevention, development, diagnosis, and treatment of visual problems in children.

An optometrist who offers services designed to care for unique vision care needs of athletes, which may include one of more of the following services: corrective vision care unique to a specific sporting environment; protective eyewear for the prevention of sports-related injuries; vision enhancement - which may include vision therapy and techniques to improve visual skills specific to the athlete's sport.

Optometrists who specialize in vision therapy as a treatment process used to improve vision function. It includes a broad range of developmental and rehabilitative treatment programs individually prescribed to remediate specific sensory, motor and/or visual perceptual dysfunctions.

Optometrists who work in Occupational Vision, the branch of environmental optometry, consider all aspects of the relationship between work and vision, visual performances, eye safety, and health.

An ophthalmologist has the knowledge and professional skills needed to provide comprehensive eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists are medically trained to diagnose, monitor and medically or surgically treat all ocular and visual disorders. This includes problems affecting the eye and its component structures, the eyelids, the orbit and the visual pathways. In so doing, an ophthalmologist prescribes vision services, including glasses and contact lenses.

An ophthalmologist who specializes in the treatment of glaucoma and other disorders related to increased intraocular pressure and optic nerve damage. This specialty involves the medical and surgical treatment of these conditions.

An ophthalmologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of vitreoretinal diseases.

An ophthalmologist who specializes in the treatment of intraocular inflammation, scleritis, keratitis and infectious disorders affecting the eye and inflammatory disorders of the adnexa and/or orbit.

A neuro-ophthalmologist is a subspecialist of ophthalmology. This physician evaluates, treats, and studies disorders of the eye, orbit and nervous system having to do with interactions of the visual motor and visual sensory systems with the central nervous system. Neuro-ophthalmologists manage patients with complex and severe neuro-ophthalmological disorders.

An ophthalmologist who specializes in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus management. The subspecialty includes the medical and surgical management of eye disorders found in children. Some of the more common disorders include amblyopia, strabismus, refractive error, cataract and glaucoma. These disorders may be related to neurological and endocrinological diseases, trauma, or aging changes in the extraocular muscles requiring medical, optical and surgical management.

An ophthalmologist who specializes in diseases of the cornea, sclera, eyelids, conjunctiva, and anterior segment of the eye.

A physician who specializes in oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery. This subspecialty combines orbital and periocular surgery with facial plastic surgery, and includes aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, orbit, eyelid, and lacrimal system. Practitioners evaluate, diagnose and treat conditions involving the eyelids, brows, midface, orbits, lacrimal systems and surrounding and supporting structures of the face and neck.