What's the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and an optician?

By the BabyCenter editorial staff, from: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babydevelopment/1437477.html

Ophthalmologists and optometrists both do eye examinations, diagnose and treat vision problems and eye diseases, and prescribe eye glasses and contact lenses. The difference is in their training and the scope of their practice:

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eyes. They have a minimum of eight years of medical training, including three or more years in a hospital eye-residency program. Like any M.D., they can prescribe all types of medication. Ophthalmologists also perform eye surgery of all sorts, and deal with any and all issues involving the eyes, from nearsightedness to the most serious disease.

Optometrists have a minimum of four years of education and training at a school of optometry in eye and vision care, diseases of the eye, and larger health problems that affect the eyes, such as diabetes. The specifics vary by state, but in general optometrists can prescribe some medicines (such as for infections, allergies, or glaucoma) and perform some minor surgery (such as removing a foreign object from the eye).

As a parent, which eye specialist you take your child to might depend on a number of factors, including:
? Referrals by doctors and friends
? Your specific concern about your child's eyes
? Your insurance coverage
? Convenience (office location; how quickly you can get an appointment)

Pediatricians and other M.D.'s might refer you to either an ophthalmologist or an optometrist if your child needs glasses. But if they suspect a more serious disorder or disease, they'll likely refer you to an ophthalmologist. Optometrists also refer patients to ophthalmologists if they detect a serious condition that's beyond their scope (such as a need for cataract surgery).

Opticians make and dispense glasses and other optical items. They're trained to fill the lens prescription provided by the ophthalmologist or the optometrist, in much the same way that pharmacists fill doctors' prescriptions.

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