After a person’s name in eye care, O.D. stands for Doctor of Optometry.
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O.D. after a name: Doctor of Optometry
An optometrist is a doctor who has completed a Doctor of Optometry degree, typically four years of optometry school after undergraduate study.
Optometrists examine eyes, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and diagnose and manage many eye conditions.
OD on a prescription: the right eye
On an eyeglass or contact-lens prescription, OD has a second meaning: “oculus dexter”, Latin for the right eye.
- OD = right eye
- OS = left eye
- OU = both eyes
Ophthalmologist and optician
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who also performs eye surgery.
An optician fits and dispenses glasses.
Is an optometrist a doctor?
Yes. An optometrist is a doctor who has completed a Doctor of Optometry degree.