Eye Doctors: Understanding the Difference Between Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, and Optical Dispensers

2. Low Vision Optometry

Low vision optometry refers to optometry that concerns limited vision that can not be corrected with glasses or types of surgery like LASIK, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Low-vision optometrists are optometrists that specialise in cases of low vision. Low vision differs from blindness as some sight still remains and may be helped through visual aids such as telescopic glasses, magnifying glasses, hand magnifiers and reading prisms. Other aids include non-optical options such as text reading software, check guides, high contrast clocks and watches and larger fonts. These optometrists will assess how much vision is still remaining and the quality. Depending on which of the various types of low vision; loss of central vision, peripheral vision, blurred vision, reduced contrast sensitivity, glare light sensitivity and night blindness, optometrists can advise what visual or non-optical aids may be helpful and how to take care of your remaining vision. This specialisation requires a post-graduate residency.

3. Behavioural Optometry

Behavioural optometry looks into how children’s vision problems may be related to the nature of their environment in terms of what their visual demands are. The eye examination for this would include the routine aspects of a regular eye exam. Optometrists will measure any problems with the functionality of your focus and eye coordination, these impact how you feel while you read, write and use computers and how well you do these activities. They will also measure distance focus, check if you are experiencing difficulties looking up from screens clearly and assess tracking abilities. For this specialisation, optometrists must continue to undertake continuing professional development annually, in order to maintain their right to practise according to the Australiasian College of Behavioural Optometrists.

4. Sports Vision Optometry

Sports vision optometry can conduct various tests based on the specific needs of the individual. These tests will help optometrists assess the essential skills of dynamic visual acuity, eye tracking, eye focusing, peripheral vision, depth perception, visual reaction time, eye-hand coordination, visual memory, visualisation and visual concentration.

5. General Optometry

General optometry refers to optometrists who can take regular eye exams for any individual to ensure they are maintaining good eye health and can prevent late detection of vision problems or more serious conditions. While optometrists are qualified to treat minor problems, they may direct you to an ophthalmologist for further diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions.

6. Geriatric Optometry

Geriatric optometry refers to optometrists who specialise in age-related eye care, eye diseases and conditions. They perform eye examinations to detect common conditions for this age group such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), dry eye, diabetic retinopathy, presbyopia and cataracts. Optometrists will need to test for these conditions through eye pressure testing, visual field testing (side/peripheral vision), dilated retinal examination, slit lamp examination and refraction testing.

What Services and Treatments do Optometrists Typically Offer?

The services and treatments optometrists offer are eye examinations, diagnosis of vision problems and evaluation of eye health, and prescription for glasses and contact lenses. They can also prescribe different types of eye drops for minor eye problems. The possible services and treatments optometrists offer are listed below.

• Visual Acuity: This typically involves identifying letters, numbers or shapes on a chart which will be able to let the optometrist know how well you can see detail from varying distances.
• Refraction: If the visual acuity test indicates you may require glasses or contacts, the optometrist will conduct a refraction test. This usually involves getting you to read from a chart 6 metres away while also looking through a phoropter, which is an instrument that has cylinders, prisms and lenses.
• Visual Field: This is to test your peripheral vision and will have you looking in the centre of either the computer program or screen and either pressing a button or making a note whenever you can see an object in your peripheral vision.
• Tonometry: This small hand-held instrument will touch the surface of your eye to assess the pressure of your eye.
• Slit-lamp: This test will enable the optometrist to examine the front of the eye more closely by using a microscope with a light.
• Fundoscopy: This test uses the slit lamp in combination with a fundoscopy lens to assess the back of the eye.

Possible eyedrop options that may be prescribed are listed below according to Optometry Australia.

• Anti-glaucoma
• Antibiotics
• Antiviral eye
• Anti-inflammatory
• Tear supplements

What Training and Qualifications are Required to Become an Optometrist?

The training and qualifications required to become an optometrist in Australia are for them to complete their degree in optometry that is recognised by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand along with required training in residence. Becoming an optometrist consists of requirements at different educational stages. As students, they are already registered with the Optometry Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). As a graduate, they will then need to apply for graduate registration as a registered health practitioner through the AHPRA.

How Much do Optometrists Make?

How much an optometrist in Australia makes can depend on their level of education, experience and workplace.

How to Choose an Optometrist?

Choosing the right optometrist is important for the assurance of quality eye care and services. Depending on your specific vision needs you can make a more educated decision referring to a number of steps beforehand. The steps to assist you in how to choose an optometrist are listed below.

1. First, determine what your main concerns are. If you’re experiencing any changes to your vision. Familiarise yourself with the different services our optometrists at Oscar Wylee have to offer, they’ll be able to help you with your specific needs.
2. Second, research what available Oscar Wylee branches are near you; which you can find on our locations page, we have 120+ stores across Australia.
3. Third, confirm the cost will suit your ideal price range and budget. If you’re an eligible Medicare card holder our skilled optometrists offer bulk-billed eye tests.
4. Fourth, you can visit in-store to book an appointment and browse through our range of glasses while you’re there.

How Often Should People Get Their Eyes Tested by an Optometrist??

People should get their eyes tested once every one to two years. Regular eye tests ensure the maintenance of good eye health and vision and may help with identifying any problems, conditions or diseases early. It is especially important to get your eyes checked if you have sustained any of these eye injuries.

What do Optometrists do?

Optometrists perform comprehensive eye examinations in order to diagnose eye diseases and vision problems, determine the suitable treatment and prescribe glasses. Some eye examinations can evaluate the quality of your vision and if you need to wear glasses, other examinations can evaluate your eye health and detect eye diseases.

What do Ophthalmologists do?

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors that specialise in eye health. They mainly deal with the treatment and management of eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, partial or complete loss of vision or vision irregularities, retinal abnormalities, eye injury or inflammation. The procedures and services they carry out include cataract surgery, refractive or laser surgery, glaucoma surgery, reconstructive eye surgery and cancer removal.

1. Paediatric Ophthalmologists

A paediatric ophthalmologist specialises in dealing with children’s eye health, vision problems and conditions. They are medical and surgical doctors who pursued specialised training, education and experience in assessing children’s eyes and hold extensive knowledge on the conditions that can affect this age group. Neurologic development of vision takes place through to the age of twelve but with strabismus, refractive error that is left untreated, myopia and astigmatism can hinder this development. Paediatric ophthalmologists may conduct a vision assessment, determination of refractive error or motility testing during the appointment.

3. Neuro-Ophthalmologists

Neuro-ophthalmologists are experts in dealing with visual problems that relate to the central nervous system. For ophthalmologists to diagnose your condition, they will need to ask you about your medical history and carry out tests including eye alignment testing, eye movement testing, pupil, anterior and posterior segment testing, full optic nerve functional assessment, tests of higher visual processing and structural measures of nerve and retina according to Macquarie University Health Sciences Centre.

4. Cornea and External Disease Ophthalmologists

These ophthalmologists are qualified in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that relate to the cornea, sclera and eyelids. Their role may involve conducting corneal transplant surgery and other kinds of corneal surgery.

5. Retina and Vitreous Ophthalmologists

Retina and vitreous ophthalmologists are qualified in diagnosing and treating the back of the eye. This region of the eye includes the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, the macula; which is part of the retina that helps with central vision and the vitreous; which is the clear fluid that fills the bulk of the eye and has a jelly-like consistency. These ophthalmologists may carry out tests such as ultrasound and dye techniques. Their role may also include treatments such as laser therapy, removal of the vitreous, a freezing treatment known as cryotherapy and surgery to fix torn or detached retinas according to Vision Eye Institute.

6. Oculoplastic and Orbital Ophthalmologists

Oculoplastic and orbital ophthalmologists are experts in carrying out comprehensive examinations, and medical and surgical treatment of disorders that affect the eyelids, the tear gland and issues with tears being able to drain out. Orbital issues and diseases include thyroid eye disease and traumatic orbital fractures as a result of a physical strike to the area according to Alberto G. Distefano in a paper published in the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.

7. General Ophthalmologists

A general ophthalmologist which is also known as a comprehensive ophthalmologist is thoroughly educated and trained in treating eye diseases and conducting eye surgery. For conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts, there are general ophthalmologists who have undergone more training to treat those specific eye conditions. However, in the case of detecting a condition that needs more specialised care for a specific region of the eye, you’ll be referred to a subspecialist.

What Services and Treatments do Ophthalmologists Typically Offer?

The services and treatments ophthalmologists typically offer are examining and treating more serious conditions and problems. If your optometrist has identified an eye disease or vision disorder, you may be directed to see an ophthalmologist. This includes partial or complete vision loss, eye injuries, pain or swelling, glaucoma and health conditions that can impact their eyes like diabetes and high blood pressure according to Health Direct. The services and treatments that ophthalmologists offer are listed below.

• Cataract surgery: This procedure involves making a small cut in your eye to replace the cloudy lens with a new artificial lens.
• Refractive or laser surgery: This procedure is intended to reshape the cornea to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism.
• Strabismus surgery: This is surgery that corrects eye misalignment.
• Ocular melanoma: Ophthalmologists may also remove cancers in the eye such as melanoma.
• Eye injury treatment: Ophthalmologists may also provide treatment for any potential damages as a result of eye injuries.
• Fluorescein Angiography: Ophthalmologists are able to perform a fluorescein angiography for patients who are exhibiting signs of eye conditions such as diabetes-related retinopathy or macular degeneration. A fluorescein angiography is a test that involves capturing images of the retina, which is located in the back of the eye. During a fluorescein angiography, the ophthalmologist will need to dilate your pupils to widen them and inject a dye known as fluorescein through your arm.

What Training and Qualifications are Required to Become an Ophthalmologist?

Ophthalmologists are required to complete an undergraduate degree at an Australian Tertiary Institution; some universities require students to undergo a science or health-related undergraduate program. When students have completed their undergraduate degree, they must gain acceptance and complete four years in their Doctor of Medicine. Post completion of their postgraduate Doctor of Medicine degree, they are then required to complete a compulsory internship year upon completion of their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Australia or New Zealand. This will give them their Medical Board of Australia registration according to the University of Sydney.

How Much Do Ophthalmologists Make?

How much ophthalmologists make in Australia is dependent upon their level of experience, education and workplace.

How Often Should People Get Their Eyes Tested by an Ophthalmologist?

People should get their eyes tested by an ophthalmologist only if their doctor or optometrist has specifically referred them. Ophthalmologists specifically focus on complex conditions and problems, therefore require a referral before making an appointment to see one.

How Do Australian Optometrists and Ophthalmologists Collaborate?

Australian optometrists and ophthalmologists collaborate formally and informally in order to lessen the wait times and increase and improve accessibility for patients by utilising optometrists to examine and manage patients as opposed to having those patients be seen by an ophthalmologist. The number of optometrists that are working in public hospitals has increased in order to reduce the workload of ophthalmologists and enhance overall eye care in Australia according to Optometry Australia.

How do Optometrists Provide Primary Eye Care in Rural and Regional Australia?

Optometrists provide primary eye care in rural and regional Australia. A way they achieve this is through community health centres, doctor’s and specialist’s rooms, hospitals, and Aboriginal Medical Service Centres according to Robyn Main in a paper published in National Rural Health Alliance. In towns where there are very few optometrists available, those optometrists are responsible for diagnosing and managing acute and chronic diseases such as diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, macular degeneration, removing foreign bodies in the eye and identification of refractive errors and prescription of glasses and contact lenses according to Optometrists Association Australia. These optometrists work weekly or fortnightly clinics and optometrists who are just visiting have outreach services for Australia’s remote and rural communities. There are also a number of initiatives in a plan to produce more attraction and incentive for people in regional and rural communities to receive training and qualifications as an optometrist through scholarship provision and creating opportunities for undergraduate training.

How do Ophthalmologists Provide Primary Eye Care in Rural and Regional Australia?

Ophthalmologists provide primary eye care in rural and regional Australia through ways like telehealth, which involves the ophthalmologist having a video call consultation with their patient according to Lions Eye Institute, this may help those who have to travel long distances to access health care services. Another way for them to provide eye care services to rural and regional areas, ophthalmologists use the services of Aboriginal health workers to test for diabetic retinopathy and visual acuity, accompanied by a visit from an optometrist who is familiar with working in one of these communities. This is to be overseen by a visiting ophthalmologist according to the National Rural Health Alliance. According to the New South Wales Department of Health, the Outback Eye Service contributes to bringing secondary and tertiary eye care services through its clinics in its seven locations. These clinics are attended by an ophthalmologist, ophthalmologist registrar, optometrist, and one to two ophthalmic nurses. They offer extensive optometry/ophthalmology services without charge to patients who are bulk-billed through Medicare.

What is the Future of Optometrists and Ophthalmologists in Australian Healthcare?

The future of optometrists in Australian healthcare is planned to involve broadening the current scope of Australian optometrists’ skills to ensure the needs of communities around the country are being met. A significant method in their aim to expand optometrists’ practice is the ongoing implementation of optometrist and ophthalmologist collaboration models to create improved access to effective treatment. The priority in the future is to continue supporting optometrists to be able to work at the fullest capacity of their current skills to produce eye care services that are consistent and timely. Additionally, enabling optometrists to be able to prescribe oral therapeutics is believed to be helpful in creating timely access to services for patients, according to Margaret Lam in a feature article from Mivision. According to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) solutions to create an improved future for ophthalmologists in Australia include creating a map of varied healthcare services by specialty, patient demographics, and geographic areas to allow for high-quality care to be delivered in the suitable places at the right time. Increasing the visibility of outpatient services, increasing the total of trainees with a regional background, enhancing extensive ophthalmology, and including more regional training posts with the intent to train for a complete year at a regional post.

Why Go to an Optometrist Instead of an Ophthalmologist?

It is advised to go to an optometrist before being referred to an ophthalmologist when seeking regular eye care services. Optometrists can provide eye exams and tests to assess your eye and vision health, for prescription of glasses and contact lenses and to ensure there are no symptoms of more serious conditions. Optometrists are also trained to prescribe eye medication such as eye drops for minor eye problems. Your optometrist would only refer you to an ophthalmologist if they have detected symptoms of a condition or disease. Ophthalmologists specialise in diagnosing and treating complex conditions such as partial or complete vision loss, eye injuries, pain and swelling, glaucoma and eye problems related to diabetes.

What Kinds of Eye Problems Does an Optical Dispenser Treat?

Optical dispensers are not qualified to treat eye problems or examine patients. They received training specifically for providing advice on frames, selecting lenses, contact lenses, sunglasses and safety eyewear. They deliver great customer service selling products and services according to TAFE New South Wales.

What Are the Different Types of Optical Dispensers?

There is only one type of optical dispenser in Australia, they are trained to design and fit frames and lenses and interpret prescriptions. Although in the UK and the US, they have different types of optical dispensers, typically known as opticians, such as optical managers and contact lens opticians.

How Can Optical Dispensers Help Visually Impaired Customers?

Optical dispensers can help visually impaired customers after the patient has been referred to an ophthalmologist by an optometrist, optical dispensers can then design glasses based on the supplied prescription. This may involve different prescriptions for each eye, however, ophthalmologists are the professionals that mainly help with patients who are experiencing this condition.

How do Optical Dispensers Help Clients Choose Eyeglass Frames and Lenses?

Optical dispensers help clients choose eyeglass frames and lenses by taking measurements of the client’s face to make sure they can produce the appropriate frame and lenses that are suitable for the client. Due to the unique nature of every individual’s facial features, it is important to get these details right. Nose sizes and shapes and cheekbone positions and shapes all differ from person to person. These professionals must take accurate measurements of the distance between the lenses and the bridge and length of the nose and the length of the client’s face. Additional factors that need to be taken into account are the extent of curving of the frames that best fit the client’s face shape, the distance between the client’s eyes and the back surface of the lens, what most comfortably fits around the client’s ears and the lens height and width that help the client’s eyes to be centred according to Indeed Australia.

How do Optical Dispensers Conduct Eye Exams?

Optical dispensers do not conduct comprehensive eye exams or tests, as they are not trained in carrying these out. This responsibility lies in the role of an optometrist and ophthalmologist as they have received thorough training and education.

How Has Technology Changed the Optometry Profession in Recent Years?

Technology has changed the optometry industry through advancements such as telehealth technology and road safety technology. For telehealth technology, visual field software was released four years ago and helped deliver portable and rapid visual field loss mapping for patients who experienced eye and neurological conditions according to Optometry Australia. Telehealth technology also includes direct services between patients and optometrists and ophthalmologists through video calls or on the phone. Road Safety technology gives low vision patients and patients with vision problems special tools that may help improve their independence when driving according to Bioptic Drivers Australia.

Optometrist vs Optical Dispenser

Optometrists are qualified to examine and diagnose your eye and vision health, provide glasses and can treat minor eye problems or refer you to an ophthalmologist. An optical dispenser is qualified to design and fit frames and lenses with the help of the optometrist’s prescription. Optical dispensers and optometrists work together to ensure your glasses meet all of your specific visual needs as well as fit suitably, properly and comfortably on your face.