Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, and Opticians: What’s the Difference?

An optometrist provides routine eye care. In contrast, an ophthalmologist focuses on surgical procedures for eye conditions, and an optician helps you fit eyeglasses and other vision aids.

If you’ve ever had to search for an eye care doctor, you’re likely aware that there are several types of eye specialists. Optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians are all professionals who specialise in eye care.

In this article, we’ll explore the education requirements, salary, scope of practice, and services that optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians provide. We will also discuss how to choose the best eye care professional for your needs.

What is an optometrist?

An optometrist is the primary healthcare professional for routine eye care.

Education level

The optometry postgraduate program is a doctorate that takes roughly 4 years to complete, depending on the school and curriculum. The program curriculum includes:

• basic and advanced eye examination techniques
• client case history and case studies
• additional courses in the natural sciences (including optics) and pharmacology

Optometry program coursework also includes clinical training as a resident, which usually occurs during the final 1 to 2 years of the program but may start earlier. The amount and duration of coursework and clinical training varies by the optometry school.

An optometry residency is an optional additional year to gain extra experience in a certain area, such as:

• ocular disease
• specialty contact lenses
• pediatrics
• binocular vision

Salary range

In 2023, the median salary for optometrists was $131,860 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Services they provide

You can visit an optometrist to have your yearly eye exam, to refill an eyeglass or contact lens prescription, or even to get medication and treatment for certain eye conditions.

Unlike an ophthalmologist, an optometrist is not a surgical specialist and cannot treat more serious eye conditions.

Optometrists provide the following services:

• annual or routine eye exams, including eye health education
• diagnosis of eye conditions
• prescriptions for:
  • eyeglasses
  • contact lenses
  • other vision aids
• medical treatments or minor surgical procedures for eye conditions
• postsurgical eye care

Optometrists can prescribe controlled medications for eye conditions. Depending on state laws, some optometrists can also perform minor surgical procedures such as foreign body removal and laser eye surgery.

»MORE: Find an optometrist near you.

What is an ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specialises in surgical eye procedures.

Education level

All ophthalmologists must complete a full medical program and a 1-year internship before beginning a 3-year ophthalmology residency program. The residency program expands on:

• diagnosis and management of internal and external eye diseases
• training for eye disease subspecialties
• ophthalmic surgical training for all types of eye conditions

Ophthalmology residency training also includes hands-on patient care, which involves performing surgical procedures under supervision.

Like optometrists, ophthalmologists can complete an optional fellowship that often lasts an additional 1 to 2 years. During this fellowship, ophthalmologists specialise in areas such as

• oculoplastics
• glaucoma
• pediatrics
• neuro-ophthalmology
• the cornea or retina

Salary range

In 2023, the average salary for ophthalmologists was $312,120 per year.

Services they provide

You can visit an ophthalmologist for the same care as an optometrist, such as a routine eye exam or prescription refill. However, an ophthalmologist can also perform eye surgery for various diseases and conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, and strabismus.

Ophthalmologists provide the following services:

• basic optometry services
• medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases
• Rehabilitation services after eye surgery

Depending on the scope of practice within the state, both optometrists and ophthalmologists can perform eye surgery. However, while optometrists are limited in the surgeries they can perform, ophthalmologists can perform any surgical procedures they are trained for.

What is an optician?

An optician is a customer service representative who works in a vision care store or an optometrist’s office.

Education level

Optician training is much more informal than optometry or ophthalmology training. An optician does not necessarily need to hold a formal degree. An optician can become certified by completing a 1- to 2-year program, such as an associate’s program in ophthalmic dispensing.

An optician may also become certified through an in-house apprenticeship with an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Salary range

In 2023, the median salary for opticians was $47,560 per year.

Services they provide

Opticians perform customer service duties at your optometrist’s office or local vision care centre. You can visit an optician for routine care, adjustment, and prescription fulfilment for eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Opticians can also answer general eye care questions, but they cannot examine, diagnose, or treat eye diseases.

Opticians provide the following services:

• receiving and filling eye prescriptions from optometrists and ophthalmologists
• measuring, fitting, and adjusting eyeglass frames
• helping customers choose eyeglass frames, contacts, and other vision aids
• performing general office duties as part of an optometry office team

Unlike optometrists and ophthalmologists, opticians are not allowed to perform any eye exams or diagnose or treat any eye conditions.

How to choose the professional you need

How do you know which eye care professional you should choose? Choosing an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or optician will depend on the service you need:

• Visit an optometrist for routine eye care, such as a yearly eye exam or fulfillment of an eyeglass, contact lens, or eye medication prescription.
• Visit an ophthalmologist for medical and surgical treatment of serious eye conditions, such as glaucoma or cataracts, or for laser eye surgery.
• Visit an optician at your local optometrist’s office or vision care center if you need an eyeglass or contact lens prescription filled or adjusted.

You can use the American Optometric Association’s Find a Doctor of Optometry tool or the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Find an Ophthalmologist tool to locate eye care professionals near you.

The takeaway

Optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians are three types of eye care professionals who differ in their education, speciality, and scope of practice.

Optometrists are basic eye care specialists who can examine, diagnose, and medically treat eye conditions. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialise in surgical procedures of the eye. Opticians are customer service specialists who work in vision care centres and optometry offices.