Medically reviewed by Dr. Anthony Nappi on July 25, 2023
When you need eye care, you may encounter several different types of professionals, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. Although their titles sound similar, each plays a different role in protecting your vision and caring for your eyes.
An optometrist may provide your routine or comprehensive eye exam, diagnose an eye condition, or help manage an ongoing vision problem. An ophthalmologist can provide medical and surgical treatment for eye diseases. An optician helps fill your prescription and makes sure your glasses fit properly.
Understanding the differences between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and an optician can help you schedule the right type of appointment.
Ophthalmologist vs. Optometrist vs. Optician
| Eye Care Professional | Credentials | Primary Role | Common Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmologist | MD or DO | Medical and surgical eye care | Diagnosing eye disease, prescribing treatment, performing eye surgery, and providing specialty care |
| Optometrist | OD | Primary eye and vision care | Eye exams, glasses, and contact lens prescriptions, diagnosing and managing eye conditions, and surgical co-management |
| Optician | Training or certification varies | Eyewear dispensing and fitting | Helping patients select, fit, adjust, and care for prescription eyewear |
The best provider depends on your symptoms, diagnosis, and the type of care you need. In many eye care practices, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians work together as a coordinated team.
What Is an Optometrist?
An optometrist is a doctor of optometry who has earned a Doctor of Optometry, or OD, degree. Optometrists are primary eye care providers who examine the eyes, evaluate vision, and diagnose and manage many eye conditions.
An optometrist may provide:
- Routine vision exams
- Comprehensive eye exams
- Eyeglass prescriptions
- Contact lens evaluations and prescriptions
- Diagnosis and treatment of dry eye
- Monitoring for cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease
- Management of certain eye infections, injuries, and medical conditions
- Care before and after eye surgery
- Referrals to an ophthalmologist or other specialist when needed
Optometrists do much more than determine whether you need glasses. During a comprehensive eye exam, an optometrist evaluates your vision and examines the internal and external structures of your eyes. This can help identify eye diseases that may not cause noticeable symptoms during their early stages.
The exact treatments and procedures an optometrist may provide can vary depending on state regulations, professional training, and the patient’s needs.
What Is an Ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a physician who has earned a Doctor of Medicine, or MD, degree or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or DO, degree. After medical school, ophthalmologists complete additional hospital-based clinical and surgical training focused on the eyes.
Ophthalmologists can diagnose and treat eye diseases, prescribe medications, and perform eye surgery. Some ophthalmologists provide general eye care, while others complete additional training in a particular area of ophthalmology.
Ophthalmology specialties may include:
- Cataract surgery
- Cornea and external eye disease
- Glaucoma
- Retina and vitreous conditions
- LASIK and refractive surgery
- Oculofacial plastic surgery
- Pediatric ophthalmology
- Neuro-ophthalmology
You may see an ophthalmologist when you have a complex eye condition, require specialized medical treatment, or are considering a procedure such as cataract surgery, LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, or another type of eye surgery.
Ophthalmologists can also perform eye exams and prescribe corrective lenses. However, routine vision care and prescription updates are often handled by an optometrist as part of a collaborative eye care team.
What Is an Optician?
An optician is a trained professional who helps patients obtain and properly use prescription eyewear. Opticians are not eye doctors. They do not perform eye exams, diagnose eye diseases, or write prescriptions.
Instead, opticians use the prescription provided by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to help patients:
- Select eyeglass frames
- Choose appropriate lens materials and treatments
- Measure the face and eyes for proper lens placement
- Adjust frames for comfort
- Verify that completed glasses match the prescription
- Repair or replace parts of prescription eyewear
- Learn how to use and care for glasses or contact lenses
Opticians help turn an eye doctor’s prescription into eyewear that fits comfortably and provides the intended vision correction.
When Should You See an Optometrist?
An optometrist is often an appropriate starting point for routine eye care, changes in vision, or symptoms that need evaluation.
Consider scheduling an appointment with an optometrist when:
- You need a routine or comprehensive eye exam.
- Your glasses or contact lens prescription may have changed.
- You are experiencing blurry or fluctuating vision.
- Your eyes feel dry, irritated, itchy, or watery.
- You are having trouble seeing at night.
- You need to be evaluated for cataracts or another eye condition.
- You need ongoing monitoring for diabetes-related eye changes.
- You need follow-up care before or after eye surgery.
After examining your eyes, the optometrist can recommend treatment or refer you to an ophthalmologist when specialized care or surgery may be appropriate.
When Should You See an Ophthalmologist?
You may need an ophthalmologist when an eye condition requires medical specialty care, advanced treatment, or surgery.
An ophthalmologist may be the right provider when:
- Cataracts are interfering with daily activities.
- You have moderate or advanced glaucoma.
- You have a retinal condition, such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, a retinal tear, or retinal detachment.
- You have a complex corneal condition.
- You are considering LASIK or another vision correction procedure.
- You need eyelid or oculofacial plastic surgery.
- An optometrist or another physician refers you to an eye specialist.
- Your eye condition is worsening despite treatment.
- You have experienced a serious eye injury.
Some ophthalmologists focus on a specific part of the eye or type of treatment. Being referred to a specialist does not always mean you need surgery. The ophthalmologist may recommend testing, medication, monitoring, laser treatment, surgery, or another treatment based on your diagnosis.
When Should You Visit an Optician?
Visit an optician after an optometrist or ophthalmologist has written an eyewear prescription.
An optician can help when:
- You need to order new glasses.
- You need help selecting frames or lens options.
- Your glasses feel uncomfortable or sit unevenly.
- A frame, hinge, nose pad, or lens needs repair.
- You have questions about caring for your eyewear.
- You need help learning how to insert or remove contact lenses.
An optician cannot determine why your vision has changed. If you are having new symptoms or are struggling to see even with your current glasses, schedule an eye examination rather than only adjusting or replacing your eyewear.
How Eye Care Professionals Work Together
Optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians frequently work together to provide coordinated eye care.
For example, an optometrist may detect cataracts during a comprehensive eye exam and refer the patient to an ophthalmologist for a cataract surgery evaluation. After surgery, the ophthalmologist and optometrist may share responsibility for follow-up care. Once the eyes have healed and the prescription has stabilized, an optician can help the patient select new glasses when needed.
This team-based approach allows each professional to contribute their specialized knowledge at the appropriate stage of care.
What Type of Eye Doctor Should You Schedule With?
You do not always need to know exactly which type of eye doctor you need before making an appointment. A knowledgeable scheduling team can ask about your symptoms and help direct you to the appropriate provider.
For routine exams, prescription changes, dry eye symptoms, and general eye health concerns, an optometrist is often a good place to begin. For surgery, complex eye disease, or specialty treatment, you may be scheduled with an ophthalmologist.
A Note About Eye Emergencies
Do not wait for a routine appointment if you experience sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, an eye injury, a curtain or shadow over your vision, sudden flashes of light, or a rapid increase in floaters. These symptoms may require urgent medical attention.
Call Barnet Dulaney Perkins or another eye care provider immediately during business hours. Call 911 or seek emergency medical care when symptoms are severe, occur after hours, or are accompanied by possible stroke symptoms such as facial drooping, weakness, confusion, or difficulty speaking.
Find an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist in Arizona
Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center brings optometrists, ophthalmologists, surgeons, and specialty eye care providers together to serve patients throughout Arizona.
Our team provides routine and comprehensive eye exams as well as advanced care for cataracts, glaucoma, retinal conditions, corneal disease, dry eye, and vision correction. When specialized treatment is needed, we can help coordinate your care with the appropriate BDP provider.
Schedule an eye exam with Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center and let our team help you determine the right next step for your vision and eye health.