Who is who in eye care?

OPHTHALMIC ASSISTANT
An ophthalmic assistant is a person who works with an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) to provide patient care by performing many different eye-related clinical functions. Ophthalmic assistants help ophthalmologists care for patients by taking histories, performing various procedures and tests, and preparing patients to see the doctor. Their work provides the ophthalmologist with important information to help diagnose and treat patients.

OPTICIAN
An optician makes, verifies and delivers lenses, frames and other specially fabricated optical devices and/or contact lenses upon prescription (from an optometrist or ophthalmologist) to the intended wearer. The opticians' functions include prescription analysis and interpretation; determination of the lens forms best suited to the wearers needs; the preparation and delivery of work orders for the grinding of lenses and the fabrication of eye wear, the verification of the finished ophthalmic products; and the adjustment, replacement, repair and reproduction of previously prepared ophthalmic lenses, frames and other specially fabricated ophthalmic devices.

OPTOMETRIST / OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIAN
Doctors of Optometry, optometric physicians or optometrists are independent primary health care providers who specialize in the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye and associated structures as well as the diagnosis of related systemic conditions. Optometric Physicians prescribe and treat glaucoma, eye infections and eye inflammations(conditions apply). They fit and dispense glasses and contact lenses, thus providing total eye health and vision care for all ages. Optometric physicians do not perform surgery. In U S, An optometric physician has completed four years of college premedical education and four years of graduate education at an accredited College of Optometry, earning a Doctorate in Optometry. Optometric physicians are certified by a national board of examiners and licensed by a state regulatory board. The study course for optometrist varies between countries to countries. The scope of practice of optometrists in USA and other developed countries is broad whereas it limited in other parts of the world. In Nepal, optometrists are enrolled in optometry college after completing 2 years of intermediate level ( science). They then study four years of Bachelor of optometry course which is especially focused in Eye and vision disorders, visual processing etc..

OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

The Ophthalmologist has the degree of Doctor of Medicine and is a primary and secondary, medical/surgical eye care provider. This doctor has completed 5 years of medical school and extra three years especially in diagnosis and treatment , including surgery, of disease of the eye. Ophthalmologists also perform intricate surgical procedures like cataract extraction, lens impant, cornela transplant, glaucoma surgery and various laser procedures.