When it comes to eye care, both ophthalmologists and optometrists play huge roles in maintaining proper eye health for everyone. While these two eye care professionals share similarities in their professions, there are differences in their education, training, and medical practice. If you have ever had eye surgery, an ophthalmologist was who performed your surgery. Ophthalmologists are licensed medical doctors who practice surgery as well as medicine. Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide vision care. Optometrists and ophthalmologists often work together to provide eye care as a whole, but there are a few skills that ophthalmologists have that optometrists do not.