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 specialize 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.