Ophthalmologist

/ɑːfθəlˈmɑːlədʒɪst/ noun

Definition

A medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the eye and vision.

Etymology

From Greek 'ophthalmos' (eye) + 'logos' (study) + '-ist' (specialist); the term emerged in the 19th century as eye medicine became a recognized specialty.

Kelly Says

An ophthalmologist takes 12+ years of training (4 years med school, 5+ years residency), making them more educated than any other doctor—yet many people confuse them with optometrists who need only 4 years of school.

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