Opticians and Optometrists: What’s the Difference?

The Optometrist

A major player in ocular health care, the optometrist is the specialist in eye exam and visual screening. Also in charge of the sale of prescription glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses, he holds at least a Bachelor of Science and a Doctorate in Optometry, obtained after a five-year university training program. Finally, a clinical training is required.

His expertise:

• Prescribing and adjusting eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, safety glasses and other accessories for low vision;
• Diagnosing various eye problems or diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration;
• Detecting and preventing problems with vision health such as diabetes, high blood pressure and brain tumours;
• Extracting a foreign body from the eye;
• Prescribing medications that are appropriate for your eye diagnosis (regulations are not the same from one province to another, so it is important to check these details with your doctor of optometry).

If you need to adjust a prescription, the optometrist can refer you to an optician. For a disease treatment or an essential surgery the optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist. The role of the optometrist is to take care of eye diseases with the help of ophthalmologists. He/she evaluates, thought eye exams, diagnoses and treats the problem of sight.

The Optician

The optician has a three-year training program college diploma. This professional is able to sell and adjust ophthalmic lenses, prescription glasses and sunglasses, contact lenses and any other eye health aids. He/she ensures that your lenses or glasses are adapted to your eye situation. Being a formed technician, the optician deals with the manufacture, the adjustment and the repair of glasses and related accessories, according to the prescriptions given by a doctor of optometry or an ophthalmologist.