Hello.

Here are two straightforward definitions:

• An optometrist specializes in prescribing glasses and contact lenses, low vision, vision therapy and the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.
• An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor that specializes in prescribing glasses and contact lenses and the diagnosis and treatment (especially surgical) of eye disease.

The big difference, and perhaps the one that causes conflicting diagnoses and treatment recommendations, is that the majority of optometrists believe that the visual system is a dynamic system. 

What that means is that the brain has plasticity, and the eyes and visual pathways can be retrained.  In the event of a functional vision problem, when they eyes aren’t working in tandem, the visual system has the ability to change.

Many ophthalmologists view it as more of a static system.  They feel that in cases like strabismus, the only way to improve a turned eye is through surgery.  They either don’t know or don’t believe that the visual system can and should be retrained - especially since surgery won’t overcome a functional vision problem on its own.

Hope this is helpful .