Question 1

What do Opticians do?

Accepted Answer

Opticians are healthcare professionals specializing in fitting as well as dispensing of contact lenses, eye glasses and other vision aids such as sunglasses. They play a crucial role in helping patients get clear and comfortable vision through use of corrective measures.
Opticians offer various services to their patients or customers, which are as follows :
Performing vision tests - The optician stores have trained optometrists who perform eye examinations like visual acuity test, visual field test or perimetry, cover test, optical coherence tomography etc. This is to evaluate the vision of the patient and determine the needed corrective lens strength.
Fitting and dispensing of eyeglasses - They use a specialized equipment to measure the eyes of the patients, helping them to select frames and lenses which can correct their vision. Also, they offer to adjust the frames ensuring that they fit securely and comfortably.
Dispensing of the contact lenses - They help their patients to select contact lenses as per their requirements, such as choosing semi soft or soft lenses or monthly disposable or daily disposable lenses. Contact lens trials are done at the optician’s store as well.
Maintenance of eyewear - Opticians can repair and even adjust the eyeglasses to ensure a proper fit.
Informing the patients about eyewear care - They offer details and advice to their patients on proper eye care, cleaning and maintenance of the eye glasses and contact lens and other aspects of eye health.
Collaboration with other healthcare professionals - They work closely with optometrists and ophthalmologists to offer coordinated care for their patients having vision issues.

Question 2

What are the types of Opticians?

Accepted Answer

There are three types of opticians, which are as follows :
Dispensing opticians - They are the common types of opticians. Their specialization includes fitting and dispensing of the eyeglasses, contact lenses and vision aids to the patients. They work with the patients and determine the best kind of corrective lens for their needs. They even advise them on different types of frame styles, lens materials and lens coatings such as anti-glare, anti-fog to optimize comfort and vision.
Manufacturing opticians - They work in laboratories and manufacturing utilities. They produce eyeglasses, contact lenses and vision aids. They create customized lenses to meet the precise specifications of the patient’s eyesight through prescriptions that need specialized knowledge on lens materials, coatings and other manufacturing techniques.
Refraction opticians - They perform vision examinations and such refraction tests to know the strength of corrective lenses needed by patients. They use specialized equipment in order to evaluate the vision of the patient and work with dispensing opticians too, and ensure that the patient gets the best possible prescription to fulfil their eyesight needs.

Question 3

Difference between optometrist and ophthalmologist

Accepted Answer

Optometrists and ophthalmologists both are professionals who look after the vision and eye care of patients. However there’s a difference between them. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has completed MBBS degree and then pursued MD degree with specialization in Opthalmology. Opthalmologists treat all kinds of eye and vision related diseases and perform surgeries after conducting tests and evaluations.
On the other hand, an optometrist is a doctor of Optometry (O.D) who has been trained to examine the eyes to detect defects in vision, ocular injuries, other abnormalities and vision related problems. They examine and then offer clinical advice regarding vision correction, eye care and also prescribe corrective measures. However, optometrists cannot use the prefix of “Dr” before their name as they are not Doctor of Medicine. Opthalmologists are usually attached to eye hospitals or have their own clinics, whereas the optometrists usually do eye check ups at the optician’s store.

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