eye doctor
Americannoun
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an ophthalmologist.
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an optometrist.
Synonym Usage
The term eye doctor refers generally to an ophthalmologist, but is also used informally (and imprecisely) in referring to an optometrist. An ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye. Ophthalmologists may prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses and also treat eye diseases with drugs and surgery. An optometrist is not a physician. Optometrists are professionally licensed to test a person for vision defects, prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses, and prescribe therapeutic exercises, but they do not perform surgery and in most U.S. states may not prescribe drugs. An optician is licensed to make, sell, and fit glasses and, in most U.S. states, contact lenses prescribed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. The term oculist, which formerly referred to an ophthalmologist, is no longer used.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of eye doctor
First recorded in 1880–85
Compare meaning
How does eye-doctor compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But based on conversations with school nurses, Chung said only about 7% of those children then go to an eye doctor and come back to school with glasses.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 4, 2026
Maybe, but children wouldn’t have go to the eye doctor as often to get prescriptions for new lenses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026
After what has happened, Malak wants to train as an eye doctor, to help others who suffer as she does.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2024
If you experience eye pain or redness, blurry vision or extra sensitivity to light, experts said that you should see an eye doctor, as these can be symptoms of an infection.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 6, 2024
I need to go to the eye doctor next week.
From "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
