Does the same doctor provide eye exams and glasses? Many people are unaware of the different roles played by eye care professionals. It can be confusing to know where to go for different types of eye care. You don’t need to worry! Lens & Frames Optical is here to help you! After reading this article, you will have clarity about the services offered by an optician and those provided by an optometrist.
Opticians and optometrists are two very different professions. Although both play important roles in providing eye care, their levels of training and expertise are quite different. Understanding the difference between the two eye care professionals will help you get the right eye care from each.
Who is an Optician?
An optician is a specialist whose responsibilities include adjusting eyeglasses and choosing lenses, sunglasses, frames, and optical aids. An optician’s qualification and training differ from that of an eye doctor. Consequently, they cannot diagnose eye problems like dry eye, give eye exams, or provide contact prescriptions.
Opticians – What Do they Do?
An optician is responsible for advising and informing you about vision care and showing you various lens and frame options. Dispensing opticians use advanced eye care tools. They are typically involved in the last steps of an eye exam, although they do not perform an eye exam. Eye check-ups must be exclusively performed by an eye doctor.
Dispense eyeglasses: A dispensing optician’s primary responsibility is to advise, fit and supply each patient with spectacle frames and lenses appropriate for their visual, lifestyle, and occupational needs. They provide their professional opinion on different frames and lenses for driving, occupational use, hobbies, and activities. They help customers select the best-fitting frames and lenses.
Fit Contact Lenses: An optician prepares contact lenses for you based on the prescription you provide them. Many types of contact lenses are available that can be customized to fit different prescriptions.
Prepare Eyeglasses: They prepare eyeglasses and sunglasses for you according to the optometrist’s prescription. Opticians suggest to the customer the perfect pair of eyeglasses according to their prescription and face shape.
Adjustment and Repair: opticians help with eye glass repairs, adjustments, and more when you need help. They can repair damages like missing or broken bridges, broken hinges or missing screws or nose pad supports, and worn pad arms or end pieces.
Who is an Optometrist?
Optometrists focus on treating the eye, orbit, and visual systems that make up the eye. In addition to medically managing eye diseases, optometrists prescribe vision correction solutions.
Optometrists – What Do they Do?
The optometrist provides advice on managing an eye disorder. Optometrists can diagnose eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and astigmatism. Additionally, they can prescribe corrective eyewear and vision aids, as well as eye-strengthening exercises and vision therapy.
Perform comprehensive eye exam: An optometrist examines the eyes for abnormalities, assesses sight, and prescribes corrective lenses.
Write a prescription: An optometrist can prescribe glasses, contact lenses, and low-vision aids. They can also prescribe medicines to treat eye conditions if they are trained to do so.
Treat eye disease: A licenced optometrist can prescribe medication to treat certain eye diseases.
Opticians are very important members of your healthcare team. An optometrist writes a prescription to correct vision, and an optician fit and sells glasses and contact lenses.
If you are looking for the highest standard eye care services in Cambridge, Ontario, Lens & Frames Optical is the ideal place. Our licensed opticians will be happy to help you. We offer our specialized eye care services to improve your quality of life. Read our article ‘Why do Children Need to Wear a Larger Size Frame?’ and contact us to experience our high-quality eye care services.
