07/04/2022
Who are Ophthalmologist, Optometrist and Optician?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who can perform medical and surgical interventions for eye conditions.
You can visit an ophthalmologist for eyecare such as a routine eye exam or prescription refill. However, an ophthalmologist can perform eye surgery for various diseases and conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and strabismus surgery, plus more.
Ophthalmologists provide the following services:
annual or routine eye exams, including eye health education
basic optometry services
medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases
rehabilitation services after eye surgery
An optometrist is the primary health care provider for routine eye care. You can visit an optometrist for your yearly eye exam, to refill an eyeglass or contact prescription, or even to receive medication and treatment for certain eye conditions.
Optometrists provide the following services:
annual or routine eye exams, including eye health education
diagnosis of eye conditions
prescriptions for eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids
medical treatments or minor surgical procedures for eye conditions if licensed by the regulatory body in the country
post-surgical eye care
An optician is a professional who can help fit eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision-correcting devices.
Opticians perform customer service duties at your optometrist’s office or local vision care center. You can visit an optician for routine care, adjustment, and refilling of prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses from optometrists and ophthalmologists .
Opticians can also answer general eye care questions, but they cannot examine, diagnose or treat diseases of the eye.
Opticians provide the following services:
receiving and filling eye prescriptions from optometrists and ophthalmologists
measuring, fitting, and adjusting eyeglass frames
helping customers choose eyeglass frames, contacts, and other vision accessories
performing general office duties as part of an optometry office team
Unlike optometrists and ophthalmologists, opticians are not allowed to perform any eye exams or diagnose or treat any eye conditions.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE PROVIDER YOU NEED
How do you know which provider you should choose for your eye care? Choosing an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or optician will depend on the service you need.
Visit an optometrist for routine eye care, such as a yearly eye exam or refilling an eyeglass, contact lens, or eye medication prescription.
Visit an ophthalmologist for medical and surgical treatment of serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and laser eye surgery.
Visit an optician at your local optometrist’s office or vision care center if you need an eyeglass or contacts prescription filled or adjusted.
The bottom line
Optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians are all eye care professionals who differ in their education, specialty, and scope of practice.
Ophthalmologists are a type of medical doctor who specialize in surgical procedures of the eye.
Optometrists are basic eye care specialists who can examine, diagnose, and medically treat eye conditions.
Opticians are customer service specialists who work in vision care centers and optometry offices.
Choosing the right eye care professional for you will depend on what services you need.
Who are Ophthalmologist, Optometrist and Optician?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who can perform medical and surgical interventions for eye conditions.
You can visit an ophthalmologist for the same care as an optometrist, such as a routine eye exam or prescription refill. However, an ophthalmologist can also perform eye surgery for various diseases and conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and strabismus surgery, plus more.
Ophthalmologists provide the following services:
basic optometry services
medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases
rehabilitation services after eye surgery
An optometrist is the primary health care provider for routine eye care. You can visit an optometrist for your yearly eye exam, to refill an eyeglass or contact prescription, or even to receive medication and treatment for certain eye conditions.
Optometrists provide the following services::
annual or routine eye exams, including eye health education
diagnosis of eye conditions
prescriptions for eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids
medical treatments or minor surgical procedures for eye conditions
post-surgical eye care
An optician is a professional who can help fit eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision-correcting devices.
Opticians perform customer service duties at your optometrist’s office or local vision care center. You can visit an optician for routine care, adjustment, and refilling of prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Opticians can also answer general eye care questions, but they cannot examine, diagnose or treat diseases of the eye.
Opticians provide the following services:
receiving and filling eye prescriptions from optometrists and ophthalmologists
measuring, fitting, and adjusting eyeglass frames
helping customers choose eyeglass frames, contacts, and other vision accessories
performing general office duties as part of an optometry office team
Unlike optometrists and ophthalmologists, opticians are not allowed to perform any eye exams or diagnose or treat any eye conditions.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE PROVIDER YOU NEED
How do you know which provider you should choose for your eye care? Choosing an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or optician will depend on the service you need.
Visit an optometrist for routine eye care, such as a yearly eye exam or refilling an eyeglass, contact lens, or eye medication prescription.
Visit an ophthalmologist for medical and surgical treatment of serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and laser eye surgery.
Visit an optician at your local optometrist’s office or vision care center if you need an eyeglass or contacts prescription filled or adjusted.
The bottom line
Optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians are all eye care professionals who differ in their education, specialty, and scope of practice.
Ophthalmologists are a type of medical doctor who specialize in surgical procedures of the eye.
Optometrists are basic eye care specialists who can examine, diagnose, and medically treat eye conditions.
Opticians are customer service specialists who work in vision care centers and optometry offices.
Choosing the right eye care professional for you will depend on what services you need.
