What is the difference between od and md

The titles Ophthalmologist and Optometrist can be very confusing to most people. Hopefully the following will help clarify their similarities and differences. Both an optometrist and ophthalmologist can provide a variety of eye care services. Although the most thought of service is prescribing glasses and contacts, both are qualified to diagnose a variety of eye diseases and disorders, such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, and macular degeneration.

Many D. Although D. Many M. Most D. At the same time, plenty of M. Do you feel comfortable sharing information with them? Need to make an appointment with a Piedmont physician? Save time, book online. Like MDs, DOs can practice in any medical specialty, but a majority choose primary care specialties.

The AOA estimates that 6 out of 10 osteopathic physicians practice family medicine, general internal medicine, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology. Choosing a doctor, allopathic or osteopathic, is a very personal choice. As Dr. There are many resources to help you choose, and word of mouth is okay, too. However, a student considering either program does not always need to stress over which route to take.

According to St. Ultimately, prospective students should consider the school and curriculum to determine which one best suits them. MD and DO programs have similar requirements when it comes to education. Over 53, applicants applied to medical schools in the U. Of those students, the average MCAT score was These averages were both slightly higher than those of the — and — school years. Once in medical school, a student of either program needs to complete 4 years of study.

Their curriculum consists of both science courses and clinical rotations. The main difference is that those studying for a DO degree need to complete an additional hours of study on the musculoskeletal system. The difference in approach also means that students in DO and MD programs will take different licensing exams. George University , both exams occur in three parts, and usually:.