One of the most common questions I get asked by friends both inside and outside of the world of medicine when I tell them that I am going to be an ophthalmologist is – “what is the difference between an ophthalmologist, optometrist, and optician?”
For many, the phrase “eye doctor” conjures the image of dark exam rooms, dilating eye drops, and the infamous question – “1 or 2?” Some have never seen an eye doctor in their entire adult lives, and have no idea what care involving the eye entails beyond glasses, contacts, or LASIK. Is the eye doctor the one that writes you your glasses and contact prescriptions? Sometimes friends ask, “if I have no trouble seeing fine, why would I ever need to see an eye doctor? Who did my grandfather’s cataract surgery? Do all eye doctors go to medical school? Who do you go see if you get hit in the eye? Who is it that actually makes your glasses?”
In this article, we will explore the differences between three professions within the world of ophthalmic care: ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. Hopefully by the end of this discussion you will recognize the distinctions in their roles as care providers, as well as their educational background and scope of practice.
I have purposefully only included direct references from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the American Optometry Association (AOA), and the Opticians Association of America (OAA). We will first look at how each organization describes their purpose, then their profession’s role and scope of practice, and finally, we will examine how each organization describes the other eye care professionals.
AAO, AOA, OAA
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
AAO:
“The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care.
The Academy evolved as part of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, which was founded in 1896 primarily to provide continuing education to eye, ear, nose and throat doctors.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology was incorporated as an independent organization in 1979 when the AAOO was divided into separate academies for each specialty.”
AOA:
American Optometric Association (AOA)
“The American Optometric Association, founded in 1898, is the leading authority on quality care and an advocate for our nation’s health, representing more than 44,000 doctors of optometry (O.D.), optometric professionals and optometry students.
Doctors of optometry take a leading role in patient care with respect to eye and vision care, as well as general health and well-being. As primary health care providers, doctors of optometry have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat and manage ocular disorders, diseases and injuries and systemic diseases that manifest in the eye.”
Opticians Association of America (OAA)
OAA:
“Established in 1926, the Opticians Association of America (OAA) is the only national organization representing opticinary’s business, professional, educational, legislative and regulatory interests.
The Opticians Association of America’s mission is to serve as the single unified voice of the profession of opticianry and to the commitment of promoting the professional stature of opticians through leadership, education, legislative representation, and communication.
Under OAA’s very broad umbrella, individuals providing eyeglasses or contact lenses to consumers, as well as owners / managers of retail optical firms, opticianry educators, state opticians associations and societies, and suppliers to professional opticians find a common goal in Advancing America’s Opticians.
The Opticians Association of America (OAA) fosters, supports and sponsors programs of competency certification, licensing and continuing education for the professional development of all opticians.”
Ophthalmologists
“An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists and opticians in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and treat. As a medical doctor who has completed college and at least eight years of additional medical training, an ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, performs eye surgery and prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems. Many ophthalmologists are also involved in scientific research on the causes and cures for eye diseases and vision disorders.
While ophthalmologists are trained to care for all eye problems and conditions, some ophthalmologists specialize in a specific area of medical or surgical eye care. This person is called a subspecialist. He or she usually completes one or two years of additional, more in-depth training called a fellowship in one of the main subspecialty areas such as glaucoma, retina, cornea, pediatrics, neurology and plastic surgery, as well as others. This added training and knowledge prepares an ophthalmologist to take care of more complex or specific conditions in certain areas of the eye or in certain groups of patients.”
American Academy of Ophthalmology, November 1st, 2013
Optometrists
“Doctors of Optometry (O.D.s/optometrists) are the independent primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.
- Doctors of Optometry prescribe medications, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and perform certain surgical procedures.
- Optometrists counsel their patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options that meet their visual needs related to their occupations, avocations, and lifestyle.
- An optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Some optometrists complete an optional residency in a specific area of practice.
- Optometrists are eye health care professionals state-licensed to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system.”
American Optometry Association Board of Trustees, June 2012
Opticians
“An Optician is a vision expert; a health professional specially trained to supply, prepare, and dispense optical appliances through interpretation of written prescriptions. An Optician is an integral part of the vision care experience that adheres to exacting standards in order to enhance your vision”
Opticians Association of America
What are the differences between ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians?
The AAO has written an extensive article describing the differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists, which can be found here.
Per the AAO:
“Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care ranging from sight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes. An optometrist is not a medical doctor. An optometrist receives a doctor of optometry (OD) degree after completing four years of optometry school, preceded by three years or more years of college. They are licensed to practice optometry, which primarily involves performing eye exams and vision tests, prescribing and dispensing corrective lenses, detecting certain eye abnormalities, and prescribing medications for certain eye diseases.
Opticians are technicians trained to design, verify and fit eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses, and other devices to correct eyesight. They use prescriptions supplied by ophthalmologists, who are medical doctors and surgeons or optometrists, but do not test vision or write prescriptions for visual correction. Opticians are not permitted to diagnose or treat eye diseases.”
Per the OAA:
“Optician: A professional in the field of finishing and fitting eyeglass lenses, frames, and contact lenses. An optician turns your doctor’s prescription into the glasses or contact lenses you need to make your vision the best it can be. An optician may also dispense low vision aids and artificial eyes.
Optometrist: A Doctor of Optometry is trained to examine eyes for vision problems and to diagnose and correct vision problems through eyeglasses, contact lenses, other optical aids or exercises. After an eye examination, an Optometrist provides a written prescription which you may take to your Optician.
Ophthalmologist: An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor, who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of eyes and related systems. An Ophthalmologist may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to improve vision or medicines or surgery to restore eye health. Ophthalmologists provide a written prescription after an eye examination which you may take to your Optician.”
Other roles in ophthalmic care
The AAO describes several other roles on the eye care team:
“Ophthalmic Medical Assistant: These technicians work in the Eye M.D.’s office and are trained to perform a variety of tests and help the physician with examining and treating patients.
Ophthalmic Technicians/Technologists: These are highly trained or experienced medical assistants who assist the physician with more complicated or technical medical tests and minor office surgery.
Ophthalmic Registered Nurse: These clinicians have undergone special nursing training and may have additional training in ophthalmic nursing. They may assist the physician in more technical tasks, such as injecting medications or assisting with hospital or office surgery. Some ophthalmic registered nurses also serve as clinic or hospital administrators.
Ophthalmic Photographer: These individuals use specialized cameras and photographic methods to document patient’s eye conditions in photographs.”
Hopefully this article helps in clearing up any confusion between the roles of ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. The AAO, AOA, and OAA were intentionally quoted to present an unbiased article that references each organization and their perspectives. This article may be revised in the future to reflect updated descriptions of each of the roles.
REFERENCES:
AAO:
- https://www.aao.org
- https://www.aao.org/about/policies/differences-education-optometrists-ophthalmologists
- https://www.aao.org/about/eye-care-team
- https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/what-is-ophthalmologist
- https://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/132 (AAPOS)
AOA:
OAA:
- http://www.oaa.org
- http://www.oaa.org/opticianry-defined/what-is-opticianry
- http://www.oaa.org/who-we-are
