OD in medical terms has two primary meanings, depending on the context:
1. Once Daily Medication Dosage
OD, or o.d., is an abbreviation commonly found on prescription medication labels. It stands for omne in die, Latin for "once daily". This indicates the frequency with which a patient should take their medication—once every 24 hours. This is typically used for medications with a long duration of action and require regular intake for efficacy. [Source: Multiple sources including GeeksforGeeks and Doctor's Room Quora.]
Example: A prescription might instruct, "Take one tablet OD," meaning the patient should take one tablet once a day.
2. Doctor of Optometry
OD also stands for Doctor of Optometry. This is a professional designation for an eye care professional who has earned a Doctor of Optometry degree. Optometrists (ODs) are primary healthcare providers for the eye and visual system, specializing in comprehensive eye exams, diagnosing vision problems, and managing various eye diseases. They are different from ophthalmologists (MDs or DOs), who are medical doctors specializing in eye surgery and more complex eye conditions. [Source: Minnesota Eye Clinic, Traverse City Eye, AOA]
Example: "Dr. Smith, OD" indicates that Dr. Smith is a Doctor of Optometry.
Distinction between OD and OS
It's crucial to note the difference between OD and OS in ophthalmic prescriptions. While OD means "right eye," OS signifies "left eye". These are Latin abbreviations frequently used in prescriptions to specify which eye a particular prescription or treatment applies to. [Source: Warby Parker, AllAboutVision]
