Training:

After college, ophthalmologists attend four years of medical school and four years of additional training (residency) to specialize in vision disorders and disease of the eye. They may take an additional year of fellowship training in a subspecialty like the cornea.

While ophthalmologists provide primary eye care, they specialize in medical and surgical treatments.

Only ophthalmologists can perform transplants or crosslinking.

Training:

After college, optometrists attend four years of optometry school and may elect to take an additional year of residency in specialties like contact lenses and cornea.

Optometrists who treat KC patients have expertise monitoring progression of disease and prescribing contact lenses that provide optimal vision and comfort.

Many ophthalmologists and optometrists rely on these skilled technicians to design and fit customized contact lenses.

These technicians cannot serve as your primary eye care provider; however, they work with your eye doctor to come up with creative solutions to vision problems resulting from KC.