One topic that always seems to confuse is the various types of eye care providers. After all they all begin in “O”, right?  Optician, Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, even Ocularist... who’s who?
An ocularist provides care to patients whom have lost an eye. They craft artificial eyes, called “prostheses.” Making a prosthesis is a painstaking art, fitting the patient properly and designing the artificial eye to match the good eye, for comfort and a pleasing cosmetic result.
An optician fits and assembles eyeglasses. Although not required in the State of Maryland, an optician who pursues certification by the Maryland Board of Opticianry can be considered an expert in their field. In addition to scientific knowledge of optics and accuracy in filling your prescription, your optician assures that your glasses fit you comfortably.  By keeping up with current fashion trends, you will also see a good selection of frames to choose from. An optician is key in helping you see well and look good.
An optometrist (OD) is an eye care professional who attends college and studies at a School of Optometry in order to be qualified to examine your eyes, detect disease, may be able to treat simple problems, and prescribes your eyeglasses or contact lenses. If your eye problem falls outside of their area of experience, you are generally referred to an ophthalmologist.
You can also obtain your eye care directly by an ophthalmologist (although some insurance plans require you to see an optometrist first). An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor specializing in all aspects of the eye. After graduating from college, an ophthalmologist studies to receive an MD degree at a School of Medicine, or a DO degree at a School of Osteopathic Medicine. With this degree completed, they enter training for one year (internship) in internal medicine, general surgery or family practice, and three years in ophthalmology (residency).  During residency, the doctor interacts with many senior physicians and many patients, seeing and learning about a wide variety of diseases, and perfecting their surgical skills under the senior physician’s guidance. Now in medical practice, your general ophthalmologist examines your eyes, detects disease if present, and develops a treatment plan. When indicated, ophthalmologists prescribe medication and perform surgery. The most common eye surgery is cataract surgery with lens implantation, performed by most ophthalmologists in a surgery center or occasionally in a hospital. Trained also to use lasers, some ophthalmologists perform LASIK to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism; and use lasers selectively in the treatment of glaucoma and retinal diseases. 
Ophthalmologists may also sub-specialize in various parts of the eye. After their three-year general residency described above, an ophthalmologist may choose to further their training with a one-to-two year sub-specialty fellowship.  Ophthalmologists can sub-specialize in glaucoma, vitreoretinal disease, cornea and external disease, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, or ophthalmic plastic surgery, among others.
Although your general ophthalmologist can provide the vast majority of your eye care, occasionally we need to enlist the help of a sub-specialist. Southern Marylanders are fortunate to have not only general ophthalmologists but also glaucoma, vitreoretinal, and pediatric ophthalmology sub-specialists active in our area. Southern Maryland also boasts several surgery centers where the majority of cataract surgeries occur. Take care of your eyes. See your ophthalmologist regularly.