Three Different Types of Eye Care Professionals
Did you know that there are three different types of eye care professionals? They are optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians and each one of these professionals is specially trained to look after your eyes in different ways.
Optometrist
Doctors of optometry are health professionals that represent the front line of vision health. The optometrist is an independent primary health care provider and the eye doctor you are likely to see the most often, visiting this professional for your annual eye exam.
Optometrists are trained to assess the eye and visual system, sensory and ocular motor disorders, dysfunctions of the eye and the visual system and diagnose vision disorders. These doctors specialize in the care of eyes, eye diseases and visual problems. They are qualified to provide care for the internal and outer makeup of the eye as well as its associated structures. Optometrists may also test your visual perception.
Optometrists are trained to diagnose certain diseases of the eye such as cataracts or glaucoma. They often identify common vision problems like near and farsightedness and astigmatism and provide patients with a prescription for contact lenses or glasses which they often dispense from their offices. The public’s eye health and good vision are the prime responsibilities of Canada’s doctors of optometry.
Ophthalmologists
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. Ophthalmologists are the only health professionals trained both medically and surgically to treat eye disorders, especially serious eye diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
Someone with normal vision and no risk factors for complications would see an optometrist but someone who has developed significant problems resulting in the need for advanced care and/or surgery would visit an ophthalmologist.
Ophthalmologists can do everything an optometrist does but are also qualified medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy. Many train in one or more areas of specialty, including basic eye care, diagnosis and treatment of common eye diseases and eye surgery. They are considered to be both surgical and medical specialists.
Optician
Opticians are health professionals who are trained to provide, make and distribute optical appliances. They interpret the prescriptions given to patients by ophthalmologists and optometrists, and fit, adjust and adapt eyeglasses and other eyewear so that it is comfortable to the wearer.
An optician works to provide lenses that will meet a patient’s needs. They can also provide basic eye exams. You will usually see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist before going to an optician to have your eyewear prescription filled.
