When there is any problem in your eyes, you search for the best doctor. However, sometimes, you do not know whom to contact. There are several different types of practitioners around, and you get confused.
In this blog, we are going to discuss two categories of professionals – Optician and optometrist.
Optometrist
You need an expert optometrist Canberra to perform routine and primary healthcare. He is a postgraduate in the field and spend at least 4 years in the school to complete.
- He knows about the basic and advanced eye examination techniques. He knows the client’s history and case studies.
- An optometrist can have additional knowledge of natural sciences including optics. He also knows pharmacology.
- This course program includes full-time clinical training as a resident during his last one or two years of the program.
He can perform the following services:
- Routine or annual eye exams including health education and counseling
- Diagnosis of eye conditions
- Prescription for eyeglasses and contacts
- Prescription of other visual aids
- Medical treatments or minor surgical procedures for eye conditions
- Post-surgical eye care
An optometrist Canberra can prescribe controlled medication to treat different eye conditions. In some states, they can perform minor surgeries also, but you need to confirm.
These minor surgeries include laser eye surgery, foreign body removal, and some additional surgical interventions.
When you search for the best optometrist Canberra Near Me, you should check the credentials thoroughly. It is important that he is an experienced, legitimate, and expert optometrist.
Optician
An optician is a customer service representative. He normally works in a vision care store or the office of an optometrist.
He has knowledge of optometry, and the level of training is relatively informal. He may not even have a formal degree also.
It is a certificate program of one or two years, e.g., an associate program in ophthalmic dispensing. He may also get certified in an in-house apprenticeship under an experienced optometrist or ophthalmologist.
He can perform the following services:
- He can receive and fill eye prescriptions from an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
- He can measure, adjust, and fit eyeglass frames.
- He can help patients in choosing eyeglass frames, contact lenses, and other vision accessories.
- He can perform general office duties as part of the optometry office team.
Opticians are not allowed to perform any kind of surgery. Also, they are not allowed to perform any eye exams or diagnose and treat any eye conditions.