What is the Difference Between an Optometrist, an Ophthalmologist and an Optician?

Ah, the 3 O’s - it’s so confusing to many people. I am an optometrist (OD) and I get asked this question ALL the time. My short answer is “I do everything, but cut.”  But basically, we are a team - we all work together to help our patients see the best that they can.

As an OPTOMETRIST, I’m the family eye doctor, like a general practitioner or a dentist. I check your eyes inside and out. I can prescribe glasses, contact lenses and drops for eye infections or injuries.  

In addition, ODs do problem oriented exams, such as vision therapy for lazy eye, low vision aids, computer vision problems and sports vision issues. I am able to identify medical eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and retinal disease that may need referrals to an ophthalmologist.

Optometrists can do pre-operative consultations and followups to help you through various surgical procedures such as LASIK and cataracts with an Ophthalmologist and with MUCH shorter wait times. 

Well, how long did you go to school? Always the next question I am asked. As an optometrist, I went to school for four years of undergraduate college education (Go Badgers!) and another four years of post-graduate optometry school at Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. That is eight year! I also maintain 32 hours of continuing education in the state of Illinois.

An OPHTHALMOLOGIST is…? An ophthalmologist is a surgeon or the one who cuts. They also go through four years of undergraduate, usually pre-medical, college education and then complete a four year medical degree. Then they go on to a medical and surgical ophthalmology residency for three or more years, depending on their area of specialty. Areas include cataracts, refractive surgery, glaucoma and retinal specialist.

An ophthalmologist is trained to do a full eye exam, treat medical and ocular diseases and perform surgical procedures such as cataracts, LASIK and Strabismus. Ophthalmologists manage eye-related complications from systemic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis and brain tumors. 

So how do I pick one … an Optometrist or an Ophthalmologist? 

Look at everything and go where you are comfortable. 

Qualifications: Both ophthalmologists and optometrists must have degrees from an accredited medical or optometry school and be licensed to practice in their state.

Services offered: Make sure the doctor provides not only a wide range of eye care services, but the service(s) you need.

Professional experience: Seeing a large number of patients over time could mean a doctor has greater ability to detect and diagnose eye disorders. Are they in good standing with their professional organizations such as the American Optometric Association or American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Other patients' degree of satisfaction: Ask family members, friends, and/or colleagues about the eye doctors they've seen. How satisfied are they with their eye care? This is a strong indicator of how satisfied you will be. When you visit an eye doctor, take note of how you're treated. Ask yourself whether you feel comfortable and confident with your choice. If not, keep looking.

 Availability: Is your doctor there for you if you need them? Large clinics and chain stores have a large turnover in doctors. Do you never see the same doctor twice? Maybe it is time to look for a doctor who knows you and your eyes! Yes, I am on-call in case of emergencies! I get calls in the middle of the night. It does not bother me -- that’s what I do!

Often optometrist and ophthalmologist work together in an eye clinic, as I have done for the past 15 years. I would concentrate on the refraction for glasses and contact lenses and minor infections and injuries. The ophthalmologist would concentrate on the more advanced eye diseases and surgeries, but we worked together in the optical and medical treatment of patients. It’s a great team! For 15 years, I worked with some of the best surgical clinics in the area and received excellent experience in multiple and very different eye care settings. Now that I have opened my own practice, if there is something in my eye exam that needs advanced treatment and/or further investigation, I will send them over to the ophthalmologists that I work with in the area. This also helps me be an advocate for my patients, which they find very helpful when navigating through these difficult diagnoses. 

So then ... What's an Optician? The Optician fills the lens prescriptions that ophthalmologists and optometrists write for glasses -- a very important step!

Opticians evaluate lens prescriptions written by ophthalmologists and optometrists. They dispense, adjust, repair and replace glasses, eyeglass frames and contact lenses. They take measurements and design frame and lenses that best fits a patient's needs. They are usually in charge of ordering and checking eye-related products, including contact and eyeglass lenses.

Opticians obtain a one- or two-year technical degree, certificate or diploma.

This is the final step in the eye care process, so it is very important part of the eye care team. They must design and make a pair of glasses accurately and in the design that fits the need of the patient or the patient will not be satisfied with the care if the end product does not work for them. This is a very important step! That is why I went through about 70 resumes before I found the right fit -- someone who is very knowledgeable in optics and a friendly person for my patients to deal with. Nothing turns off a patient more than a rude person at the front desk, on the phone or at check out.

FINALLY:

1) Please do NOT go to the ER for an eye only related injury such as a scratched or bumped eye or something in the eye. Please call your local eye doctor and save yourself a lot of time, pain and long wait times.

2) If you're thinking of having laser eye surgery such as LASIK, don't let discount-price advertising be your guide. Your eye health depends on getting the best care -- not the best price. This is not a dress or suit on sale. This is your eyes we are talking about.