Optometrists
Optometrists, or Doctors of Optometry, are primary health care professionals trained to examine, diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent diseases and disorders of the visual system. In addition to prescribing glasses and contact lenses optometrists can also preform the following.
Optometrists can:
- Recommend eye health hygiene and prescribe medications to treat eye disease such as glaucoma, and to treat infections, inflammations and allergies
- Treat eye injuries including foreign body removal
- Assess unusual or sudden vision changes and conditions causing eye pain
- Assist in identifying general health conditions that are often first detected through an eye exam
Optometrist's Education
An optometrist’s education typically includes a Bachelor of Science degree prior to completion of a four-year Doctor of Optometry degree (OD) at an accredited University. There are currently 23 accredited optometric degree programs in North America, including the University of Waterloo and University of Montreal which confer doctorates of Optometry in Canada. For more information on becoming an optometrist, visit our Career in Optometry page.
Ophthalmologists
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who perform procedures such as cataract surgery, laser eye surgery, and surgery for emergency conditions such as detached retina. They also provide secondary or tertiary treatment of eye diseases and disorders, often in conjunction with an optometrist. They usually accept patients only on referral from an optometrist or general practitioner.
Ophthalmologists’ education typically includes a Bachelor of Science degree (pre-med), a four-year Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) at an accredited university, a 5-year Ophthalmology residency, and certification as a specialist from the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons.
Opticians
Opticians are licensed to design, supply, prepare, adjust, and dispense optical appliances based on an optical prescription from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. While this usually means prescription glasses, many opticians also undertake additional studies that certify them to fit and dispense contact lenses as well.
Opticians’ education includes a diploma in opticianry. Opticianry programs are usually offered by a polytechnic or technical college and involve two years of training combining classroom, home study, and work experience.