What is the difference between and OD and an MD?

Question

I'm looking for a new eye doctor for basic eye exams and that sort of thing. Insurance has listings for OD's and MD's. What is the difference between the two and is one preferable to the other?

Answer 1

The MD would be the Opthalmologist, the eye surgeon.

The OD is the Optometrist.

For  regular eye examinations , the OD is your best bet. If s/he sees anything out of the ordinary that requires an Opthalmologist, they will refer you to one.