Both professionals are accredited medical practitioners who focus on achieving healthy vision
So, what’s the difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists?
Because of their similar sounding names, and their similar practice areas, the two professions are often confused. However, the differences between an optometrist and ophthalmologist are straightforward.
Optometrists are your go-to for general checkups and prescription glasses, while ophthalmologists deal with ocular disease in significant vision loss with treatment plans which often include eye surgery.
With 30+ years of experience, OptimEyes Optometry can help you achieve and maintain healthy vision. Whether it’s a routine eye exam in the Northern Beaches, prescription glasses, or a referral to an ophthalmologist for more complex care, our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way.
No matter what your eye care needs are, regular eye exams are crucial for preventing vision loss.
Call today to secure an appointment with OptimEyes Optometry
What is an Optometrist?
An optometrist is your first point of call for eye health. From performing routine checks to prescribing glasses and contact lenses, an optometrist diagnoses and treats eye problems, and refers patients to an ophthalmologist as needed.
Scope of Practice
You could think of optometrists as the GP (General Practitioner) of healthy eyes – your one-stop-shop for all things vision.
Optometrists can diagnose and treat many eye conditions, as well as advising you on where to go for more complex cases, providing referrals as needed.
Here’s a quick snapshot of an optometrist’s scope of practice :
– Eye Exams :
They check your vision and overall eye health. Whether you’re squinting at road signs or struggling to read the fine print, they’ve got you covered.
– Prescription Eyewear :
They’ll figure out if you need glasses or contact lenses and tailor them to your exact needs.
– Diagnosing Eye Conditions :
From common ones like dry eyes or myopia (short-sightedness) to more serious issues like glaucoma or macular degeneration, they’re trained to spot the signs early.
While they do not perform surgery, optometrists can help manage chronic eye conditions with medications or referrals.
– Patient health co-management :
Optometrists and ophthalmologists can collaborate on patient care, utilising the strengths of each profession to enhance patient outcomes. For example, an ophthalmologist might perform surgery, while an optometrist handles pre- and post-operative care
– Children’s Vision Care :
Optometrists also look after children’s eye care , ensuring little ones develop efficient visual function.
Education
Depending on the university and the pathway taken, it can take a minimum of 3.5 years to 7 years to become a registered optometrist.
Becoming an accredited optometrist in Australia involves completing a recognised optometry degree, such as a Bachelor of Optometry or a combined Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry, which takes 4–5 years.
This education includes both theoretical learning and practical clinical placements to develop the skills required for professional practice.
After graduation, optometrists must register with the Optometry Board of Australia (OBA) and often gain therapeutic endorsement to prescribe medications for eye conditions.
Even after qualifying, optometrists must complete ongoing professional development to stay updated on the latest in eye care and meet OBA requirements. Some optometrists choose to specialise further, in areas like paediatric optometry.
Some optometrists join other professional bodies such as the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) which is the peak body for Behavioural Optometry in Australasia.
Other professional societies include the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia and the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania etc.
Types of conditions and treatments handled by optometrists
Optometrists handle a wide variety of eye conditions, from common vision issues to more complex concerns. Some of the conditions they can help with include:
- Refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism
- Early detection of chronic diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetes which can cause blurry vision in one eye or both eyes
- Infections and inflammatory conditions like conjunctivitis and blepharitis
- Children’s vision issues such as learning related vision difficulties, amblyopia or strabismus
- Support for conditions like dry eye, visual fatigue, and computer vision syndrome
Beyond treatment, optometrists are focused on prevention, offering regular eye exams and long-term care to maintain eye health.
What is an ophthalmologist?
Ophthalmologists are highly trained, accredited practitioners, licensed to conduct eye surgery and treat total or partial loss of vision.
Definition and scope of practice
Ophthalmologists are trained to handle the full spectrum of eye health—from routine care to advanced surgical treatments. Some common conditions which fall under the scope of their practice include :
– Medical and Surgical Eye Care :
Ophthalmologists specialise in diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide range of eye conditions, from common issues like refractive errors to complex diseases.
– Surgical Expertise :
They perform surgery, including cataract removal, retinal surgery, corneal transplants, and laser vision correction like LASIK.
– Eye Disease Management :
Ophthalmologists manage serious eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and eye infections, often using both medical and surgical treatments.
– Emergency Eye Care :
They provide immediate care for urgent issues like eye trauma, chemical burns, and sudden vision loss, offering both surgical and medical interventions.
– Paediatric Care :
Ophthalmologists also specialise in children’s eye health, managing conditions like amblyopia, strabismus, and congenital eye problems to ensure proper visual development.
Education
Ophthalmology is a highly specialised field, requiring up to 12 years of university and residency.
Students must first complete a medical degree from an accredited university, which takes around six years.
After medical school, a minimum of five years of specialist training in ophthalmology is conducted through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.
Then, it’s on to residency, during which time they gain hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating eye conditions, including both medical management and surgical procedures. Residencies are usually five years in length, or longer.
Many ophthalmologists further specialise in areas like retina, cornea, or paediatrics, providing highly specialised care for complex eye conditions.
Types of conditions and treatments handled by ophthalmologists
Ophthalmologists manage a wide range of eye conditions, both medical and surgical, including :
- Refractive errors like myopia and presbyopia (age-related difficulty focusing on close objects), treated with corrective lenses or laser procedures such as LASIK.
- Conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts, managed through medications, laser treatments, or surgical interventions like cataract surgery and anti-VEGF injections.
- Retinal disorders, including retinal detachments and macular holes, treated with vitrectomy surgery and laser therapies.
- Corneal issues like keratoconus and infections, corrected with corneal transplants
- Paediatric eye conditions like amblyopia and strabismus, treated with glasses, patching therapy, and eye muscle surgery.
- Emergency care for eye injuries, infections, and tumours.
Who should you see for your eye care needs?
In the case of ophthalmologists versus optometrists, who is best suited to help you depends largely on your needs.
Optometrists and ophthalmologists, while both concerned with vision care , have different areas of speciality.
In most cases, you’ll see an optometrist first, who will be able to guide you on next steps.
Here’s a table breaking down some common eyecare needs, and who is best suited to help :
| Eye care Needs | Optometrist | Ophthalmologist |
|---|---|---|
| Routine check up | ✅ | |
| Prescription glasses | ✅ | |
| Dry Eye | ✅ | ✅ |
| “Floaters” in my eye | ✅ | ✅ |
| Myopia | ✅ | |
| Hyperopia | ✅ | |
| Astigmatism | ✅ | |
| Presbyopia | ✅ | |
| Mild glaucoma | ✅ | |
| Conjunctivitis | ✅ | ✅ |
| Severe glaucoma | ❌ | ✅ |
| Macular degeneration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cataract diagnosis | ✅ | ✅ |
| Retinal detachment surgery | ❌ | ✅ |
| Corneal disorders (keratoconus, infections, dystrophies) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Paediatric eye conditions (amblyopia, strabismus, congenital issues) | ✅ | ✅ |
| LASIK surgery | ❌ | ✅ |
| Blunt trauma and burns | ❌ | ✅ |
| Eye cancer | ❌ | ✅ |
How ophthalmologists and optometrists work together
It’s not always ophthalmologist vs optometrist. In complex cases, collaborative care or co-management, may be required, meaning your optometrist and ophthalmologist will work together to develop a treatment plan.
Most commonly, this will happen when a condition that normally falls under the scope of an optometrist doesn’t respond to standard treatments and requires further intervention.
Or, alternatively, when a procedure conducted by an ophthalmologist necessitates post-surgical care. In these cases, optometrists may provide post-surgery monitoring and visual support.
If care is needed from both parties, your practitioner will refer you to a trusted colleague.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences of optometrist vs ophthalmologist is important for knowing who is best suited to help with your eye care needs.
At all stages of vision health, it’s vital to attend regular checkups with your optometrist. These appointments, while they may seem tedious, can be an important preventative measure to ensure you don’t need an ophthalmologist later on.
OptimEyes Optometry recommends regular checkups, at least once every two years for under 40 year olds, and increasing to once a year as you get older.
School aged childrens should have an annual review. Your regular checkups can flag issues like impaired vision, eye strain, and common conditions such as presbyopia Your optometrist can also spot signs of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy which is a leading cause of blindness in working-age adults and one of the leading causes of sight loss worldwide.
Early diagnosis and intervention may save your vision.
Call today to secure an appointment.
FAQ’s
1. Can an optometrist diagnose serious eye conditions?
– Yes. During a comprehensive eye exam, optometrists assess your vision, eye health, and look for early signs of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and cataracts.
They’re trained to detect changes in your eye health and provide treatment options, as well as refer you to an ophthalmologist if further care is needed. Regular eye exams with an optometrist help catch potential issues early, ensuring you receive the right care at the right time.
2. Do I need a referral to see an ophthalmologist?
– Yes to see an ophthalmologist in Australia you need to be referred by either your optometrist or your GP.
If your optometrist detects something concerning during your eye exam—like signs of glaucoma, cataracts, or other complex conditions—they may recommend seeing an ophthalmologist for further evaluation or treatment.
3. Medicare and eye examinations
– If you’re under 65 then you can expect a comprehensive Medicare rebate every three years.
For those over 65 years, you are eligible for a Medicare rebate for one comprehensive eye exam every year.
Medicare rebates are also available for a variety of other scenarios and your optometrist can advise what you are eligible for.
All private health insurance funds offer cover for glasses and contact lenses.
4. Can an optometrist write prescriptions?
– Yes, therapeutically endorsed optometrists in Australia can prescribe medications for certain eye conditions. The scope of what they can prescribe varies depending on state regulations and their level of therapeutic endorsement.
Not all optometrists in Australia are therapeutically endorsed. While all optometrists are trained to perform eye exams, diagnose vision issues, and provide general eye care, therapeutic endorsement requires additional qualifications.
This means some optometrists can prescribe medications to treat eye conditions, while others may not.
5. When to see an ophthalmologist instead of an optometrist
– Eye care is rarely as black and white as ophthalmologists vs optometrist.
In most cases, the optometrist is your first point of call. If you have complex care needs and require intervention beyond the optometrist’s scope, they will refer you to an ophthalmologist.
Optometrists are well-equipped for many visual conditions, but if signs of macular degeneration or glaucoma are identified, they will be able to refer you to a trusted ophthalmologist.
This is just one of the reasons why regular checkups with an optometrist are so important – early diagnosis and intervention can make a world of difference to the quality of your vision down the line.
6. Are optometrists doctors?
– Optometrists do not have the formal qualifications of doctors, meaning a PhD or an MD.
However, according to Health Practitioner Regulation National Law in Australia there is no formal prohibition against healthcare professionals like optometrists or chiropractors using the term doctor.
That being said, most formal bodies advise clearly stating specific professions when using the term – for example, Doctor of Optometry.
This helps to differentiate from medical doctors, and makes clear the scope of practice and expertise of the healthcare professional.
7. Why choose OptimEyes?
– OptimEyesOptometry is a Sydney Northern Beaches Optometrist that has been caring for the visual needs of patients for over 30 years, with patients from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, North Shore, and further afield such as Dural, Macquarie Park, Lismore and Singapore.
Here at Optimeyes Optometry, we are dedicated to ensuring that our patients get the vision they deserve.
We believe in patient-centred care, which means we take the time to get to know each patient and understand their visual needs.
Our highly trained team will evaluate your visual function, health, as well as how you use your vision, offering comprehensive treatment options and an excellent range of frames.
Call today to request an appointment.
Disclaimer: -The information presented in this article was correct at the time of publishing – January 2025.
