Difference between D.O.and M.D.

[RobertJ]

I have seen many posts saying to always go see an eye M.D. and not an O.D. I understand fully the reason why.  My question is this.  The eye center I go to has 5 M.D.'s, 1 D.O, and 1 O.D.  The one they assigned me to use when I have an abnormal problem is a D.O.  The center told me that a D.O. (NOT an O.D.) is basically the same as an M.D.  I have been to see an M.D. as well and they did the same exact thing as the O.D.  What is the difference between an O.D. and an M.D, and is any of the two better?  I like my  D.O. a lot and would like to be know and tell others to difference(s).

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Here is a link for more information:

http://gradschool.about.com/od/usosteopathicmedschools/US_Osteopathic_Medical_Schools_Listed_Alphabetically.htm


JCH MD

[AnnaE]

Sorry for my confusing error. I had not heard of a DO in a very long time. I did not know they were the same as MD's.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Thanks RobertJ   here in Kansas City we have a very find Osteopathic medical school that trains DOs who are highly qualified.

JCH MD

[RobertJ]

Thank you for your answer. This is what I was hoping to hear.  A DO (NOT an OD!) is perfectly able to handle the same problems an MD could handle and are both physicians; they both handle surgeries and are who people need to go to who have any abnormal problem with their eyes besides needed glasses. An OD (NOT a DO!), of course, is just for regular eye exams and glasses and NOT for surgery or eye conditions beyond needing glasses.   If one has any abnormal problem besides needing glasses, he or she needs to go to a DO or MD for a dilated eye exam (do NOT go to an OD). I read on a site that a DO (NOT an OD!) and MD have the same qualifications, but the internet is filled with poor advice; I decided to come here and ask a professional who actually knows since I go to a DO. Now if anyone has an eye problem beyond needing glasses, I can gladly tell them to go to my DO (NOT an OD!) I think I got it correct now. Thanks!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

CORRECTION TO ANNAE posting:

MD = physician
DO = physician
OD = NOT PHYSICIAN

confusing isn't it.

JCH MD

[AnnaE]

If you like the DO, let him fill your lens RX. Dr.  Hagan has told you the difference--they have half the training and do not have the expertise to treat medical or surgical problems. Tell others the same thing. DO=lens fitting. MD=medical doctor.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

MD= Doctor of Medicine  DO = Doctor of Osteopathy  both of these degrees indicate the "eye doctor" is a physician. The training of an DO and MD are comparable and both are qualified to do medical and eye surgical care. I have worked with many fine DOs.

OD  (Odd) stands for Optometric Doctor. They are not MDs, not physicians, not equal to a MD or DO, do not go to medical school, have less than half the training of an ophthalmologist and spend most of their time and money in state legislatures trying to pass laws that allow them to do things they are NOT trained to do. Unfortunately they have been very successful and are a "special interest group" to be reconned with in every state. Their ultimate goal is to upgrade them selfes to "Optometric physician" which is the term they like to hang on their offices and letterheads now.

It's too bad that DO is so much like OD.  "DO" go to an DO, going to an OD for a medical/surgical problem is just odd.

JCH MD

[RobertJ]

Please read this post instead of the one above. I accidentally typed O.D. in the place of D.O. on one or more times.... sorry :-)

I have seen many posts saying to always go see an eye M.D. and not an O.D. I understand fully the reason why.  My question is this.  The eye center I go to has 5 M.D.'s, 1 D.O, and 1 O.D.  The one they assigned me to use when I have an abnormal problem is a D.O.  The center told me that a D.O. (NOT an O.D.) is basically the same as an M.D.  I have been to see an M.D. as well and they did the same exact thing as the D.O.  What is the difference between a D.O.  and an M.D, and is any of the two better?  I like my  D.O. a lot and would like to know and tell others of the difference(s).