Have you ever wondered who to visit when your eyes feel off or you need new glasses? There are three types of eye care professionals: optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians. They all help with your vision, but they do different things.
Let’s break it down in a simple way so you know which eye doctor you should see and when.
Optometrist: The Primary Eye Doctor
An optometrist is the eye doctor most people go to first. They can test your vision and help with common eye problems. They’re trained to spot early signs of eye diseases and can treat many conditions.
What they do:
- Give comprehensive eye exams
- Check your vision and write prescriptions
- Diagnose and treat many eye problems
- Prescribe eye drops or other medicines
When to see an optometrist:
- You need a routine eye exam
- You’re having blurry vision or eye strain
- You have red, itchy or dry eyes or suspect eye health concerns
Think of optometrists as your first stop, while ophthalmologists are the specialists for more serious or surgical eye care.
Ophthalmologist: The Eye Specialist & Surgeon
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has gone through extra training in eye care and surgery. They can do everything an optometrist does, and more.
What they do:
- Diagnose and treat serious eye diseases
- Perform eye surgeries (like cataract or LASIK)
- Handle complex eye problems or injuries
When to see an ophthalmologist:
- You’ve been diagnosed with a serious eye condition (like retina diseases or cataracts)
- You need surgery on your eyes
- You have an eye injury or sudden vision loss
Optician: The Eyeglass Expert
An optician is trained to help you with your glasses or contact lenses. They don’t give eye exams or check for health problems in your eyes, but they’re great at making sure your glasses fit well and your lenses are just right.
What they do:
- Help you choose frames and lenses
- Glasses fitting, lens adjustments and repairs
- Fit you for glasses or contact lenses
When to see an optician:
- You already have a prescription from an eye doctor
- You need to replace broken frames
- You want help choosing or fitting new glasses
Quick Recap
| Eye Expert | What They Do | When to See Them |
| Optometrist | Does eye exams, writes prescriptions, treats many eye health problems | Regular checkups or the first stop for eye health issues |
| Ophthalmologist | Treats serious eye problems and does surgery | Serious eye conditions or surgery |
| Optician | Helps with glasses and contacts | Need to fill a prescription for eyeglasses |
Taking care of your eyes is a big part of staying healthy. If you’re unsure who to visit, start with an optometrist. They can check your vision, answer questions and guide you to the right care if you need more help.
Still confused about optometrist vs ophthalmologist vs optician? Think of them as a team: the optometrist does your exam and can treat many eye health issues, the optician helps with your eyewear and the ophthalmologist is there for serious or surgical care.
Need coverage for eye care? Check your vision benefits to learn more about what’s included in your plan.
Eye care coverage will help cover the costs of seeing an eye doctor, even if you don’t need glasses. Catching eye problems early can save your vision and overall well-being.
FAQs: Eye Doctor Edition
Q: What kind of eye doctor should I see for a routine eye exam?
A: Visit an optometrist for your regular eye checkups and vision tests.
Q: Do I need a referral to see an ophthalmologist?
A: Sometimes, yes; especially if you are covered by insurance. It depends on your plan. You can always check with your insurance provider first.
Q: Can an optometrist treat pink eye?
A: Yes! Optometrists can diagnose and treat common conditions like pink eye, dry eyes and allergies.
Q: What if I need surgery?
A: An ophthalmologist is the only one trained to perform eye surgeries.
Q: I broke my glasses. Who should I call?
A: An optician can help fix or replace your glasses, as long as you already have a prescription.
