When seeking for an eye care expert, one may encounter three main sorts of practitioners. Educational qualifications, area of practice, pay, and services supplied are all different. In this post, we go through the similarities and distinctions between these eye care professionals, sometimes known as the “three O’s.”

Optometry – What Does An Optometrist Do?

Most people will see an optometrist at some point during their life. Most of them operate in private practice, although some also work in optical stores and other venues. 

Optometrists are eye doctors who specialize in primary vision care, including everything from vision testing and correction to the assessment, treatment, and control of visual problems. An optometrist is not a physician. 

After 4 years of optometry school and at least 3 years of college, they are awarded a doctor of optometry (OD) degree. They can practise optometry, which includes providing eye exams and vision tests, prescribing and dispensing contact lenses, identifying certain visual abnormalities, and prescribing treatments for certain eye disorders.

Ophthalmology – What Does An Ophthalmologist Do?

Ophthalmologists are medical specialists who diagnose and treat various types of eye problems and conduct eye surgery and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. 

They offer the same services as optometrists but with the added capabilities of eye surgery and vision correction.

Ophthalmologists are doctors who specialise in treating the eye, orbit, and optic systems. In addition to operating, ophthalmologists may do vision tests, provide medications for eye disorders and infections, and write prescriptions for glasses and contacts. 

An ophthalmologist’s time is usually split between the eye clinic and the operation room. They may diagnose and treat eye disorders in the clinic, do vision examinations, and employ lasers to cure eye ailments. 

Ophthalmologists can treat glaucoma, cataracts, LASIK surgery, refractive surgery to correct eyesight, tear duct infections or abnormalities, repair damaged retinas, corneal transplants, and eye injuries in the operating room.

What Exactly Does An Optician Do?

Rather than being healthcare practitioners, some eye healthcare providers are technicians. They operate in the field of opticianry to guarantee that people have healthy eyesight and receive proper eye care.

An optician, often known as a dispensing optician, is a professional educated to fit you with eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct your eyesight. They cannot issue prescriptions, but they can carry out the instructions included in those written by eye experts.

Opticians work in optometry and medical offices for around half of their time. They may also be found at establishments that offer eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Opticians are eye care experts; however, they are not licensed as “eye physicians” and cannot do eye tests. They are technicians that are trained to fit corrective lenses, eyeglass lenses, and frames to remedy vision disorders. 

Opticians cannot diagnose, treat, or issue prescriptions for eye illnesses. Many optometrists have completed one or two years of training and are licensed; however, not all states need licenses.

Conclusion

Optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians are all eye care professionals with different levels of schooling, specializations, and practice areas.

Optometrists are eye doctors who can examine, diagnose, and treat various eye problems. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in operations involving the eyes. Opticians work at vision care facilities and optometry offices as customer service professionals.