Are optometrists and opticians the same ?
Who are optometrists ?
Optometrists are primary eye care providers who specialize in performing eye examinations. Through the tests, they can detect eye-infections and common eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, all of which may be treatable if detected early.
In general, optometrists are qualified to:
- Perform refraction1 on patients who are adults, children or adolescents.
- Prescribe optical appliances such as glasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. (Optometrists also manage binocular vision related problems like lazy eye, cross eye, double vision, eye strain)
- Perform visual examination on patients and refer them to other healthcare practitioners such as ophthalmologist for further management if any eye abnormalities/diseases are detected. (This include eye health check using slit lamp , measuring eye pressure, fundus photography etc which opticians are not trained to do)
- Perform any other type of practice of eye care which is part of the practice of opticianry (eg. dispensing and fitting of glasses and contact lenses).
Who are opticians ?
There are 3 different categories of opticians in Singapore. All of them are equipped with the skills to dispense and fit glasses based on prescriptions from optometrists or ophthalmologists2.
The opticians are registered in the following categories:
| 1. Opticians (Dispensing Only) – this category of opticians are only qualified to dispense and fit glasses. | ||
| 2. Opticians (Refraction and Dispensing) – this category of opticians are qualified to: | ||
| a. Perform refraction1 on patients who are 8 years of age or older. | ||
| b. Dispense and fit glasses to correct vision problems such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. | ||
| 3. Opticians (Contact Lens Practice) – this category of opticians are qualified to: | ||
| a. Perform refraction1 on patients who are 8 years of age or older. | ||
| b. Dispense and fit glasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. | ||
| c. Provide aftercare to patients, including monitoring to detect, prevent and manage problems or complications arising from the use of contact lenses. | ||
http://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/content/hprof/oob/en/topnav/about_optometristsopticians.html
When you have a vision related problem, it may not be restricted to short sightedness, long sightedness and astigmatism. An optician may not be able pick up vision related problem other than the 3 listed.
Do you think you are getting adequate eye care when you visit an optical shop ?