Optometry involves prescribing and fitting corrective lenses. Optometrists diagnose eye diseases and prescribe medication, while opticians distribute eyeglasses and contact lenses. Orthopedists diagnose ocular motility problems, and ocularists manufacture and fit ocular prostheses. Ophthalmologists specialize in surgical treatment of the eyes.
Optometry jobs essentially involve prescribing and fitting people with corrective lenses. An optometrist is a medical professional trained to care for eye health and prescribe corrective lenses for people with vision problems. In addition to optometrists, other optometry jobs include opticians, orthopedists, and ocularists. Optometrists have four years of post-baccalaureate degrees in optometry. Opticians distribute eyeglasses and contact lenses, orthopedists specialize in diagnosing ocular motility problems, and ocularists specialize in manufacturing and fitting ocular prostheses.
The field of ophthalmology is related to optometry, but differs from optometry in that ophthalmologists specialize in the surgical treatment of the eyes. Optometry jobs do not involve surgery. Orthopedists can assist ophthalmologists in surgery, so this work can be considered ophthalmology or ophthalmology.
Optometrists provide general eye care. They diagnose common eye diseases and disorders, as well as perform refractive vision correction, or in other words, prescribe corrective lenses for vision problems. They are licensed to prescribe medication to treat eye conditions. Optometrists also write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses, but they generally do not help patients choose glasses; that is the role of an optician.
Opticians specializing in the design, assembly and distribution of eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids and ocular prostheses. An ophthalmologist starts with a prescription for corrective lenses written by an optometrist and helps the patient choose glasses or contact lenses. They often take both fashion and function into consideration when consulting patients about designing a corrective lens to meet the patient’s needs. Opticians can work in a variety of settings, but they usually work closely with an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Some eye problems involve the muscles and nerves around the eye rather than the eye itself. An orthopedist is a professional who diagnoses these problems and recommends treatment for them. The most common conditions seen by orthopedists are ambilopia, commonly called lazy eye, and strabismus, or cross-eyed eyes. Treatment usually involves exercising the eye muscles or temporarily covering one eye with a patch so that the other eye can be strengthened.
The last optometry works with the ocularist. Ocularists specialize in making and fitting eye prostheses for people who have lost an eye due to illness or injury. Ocularists can work with optometrists or ophthalmologists and obtain training in a variety of ways. They can come from many fields including optometry, dentistry, nursing or medicine.
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