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With the New Year coming up, many people like to start the New Year off with a brand new pair of specs.

And why not?  Going in for an annual exam is much easier to remember if you make a tradition to go either on your birthday or at the beginning of the year.

But many people don’t know what kind of doctor they are seeing.

Differentiating The O’s in Optometry

The optometrist prescribes eyeglasses, contact lenses, and is who you’re most likely going to see for your eye exam.

This doctor also screens for eye diseases and vision problems. Some optometrists are even able to prescribe medicine to treat eye conditions, depending on the state they practice in. Prior to becoming an optometrist, an individual must obtain a bachelor’s degree and then graduate from an accredited optometry school. They then must pass all clinical board examinations and develop experience in their field.

The ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care.

They examine your eyes, are able to diagnose diseases, and prescribe both glasses and contacts. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform eye surgery as well.  An ophthalmologist, prior to practicing, obtains a bachelor’s degree, completes four years of medical school, one year of internship and then a minimum of three years of residency at a hospital.  It sound tedious, but you can’t just let anybody perform surgery, right? Therefore, ophthalmologist visits are generally more expensive and typically require a referral from your optometrist or general practitioner.

And finally, last but most definitely not the least, we have the optician.

Opticians, though not doctors, are a vital part of your vision center team. These are the individuals that actually fill the doctor’s prescription for your eye wear and work the lenses to make, fit and dispense your eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision correction devices.

These three O’s are all important individuals in the eye care industry. And though different, the role of each O is vital in its own way.

If you have any questions about who you should be visiting, it’s best to consult your local America’s Best store.