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Eye Years Optometrist Doctor Ophthalmologist Medical Pair Optician

Id ESLPod_0234_CN
Episode Id ESLPod 234
Episode Title Seeing an Eye Doctor
Title Seeing an Eye Doctor
Text

In the United States, if you are worried about your eyes or your vision, you can see an optician, an optometrist, or an ophthalmologist. They all have different "specialties" (areas of focus in an academic or professional field) and different educational background.

An "optician" helps a "patient" (someone who goes to a medical office) find the right pair of glasses. He or she makes the lenses and puts them into frames. Then he or she helps the patient "adjust" or to gently bend the frames to fit the patient's face. Some opticians are "certified" (evaluated and approved) by national organizations, but this is "optional" (not required). Some states require opticians to have "licenses," which are papers that show that the optician has a certain amount of education or has passed a test.

An "optometrist" "examines" or studies patients' eyes to help them see better and to identify any eye diseases. An optometrist writes the prescription that the optician uses to make a pair of glasses. An optometrist must complete four years of college and four years of graduate education. Optometrists must be certified by a national organization and have a state license.

An "ophthalmologist" is a medical doctor who is an expert in eye diseases and can perform eye surgery. Ophthalmologists must complete four years of college, four years of medical school, and four years of "residency" where they train and work with an ophthalmologist.

If you want an eye exam, you should see an optometrist. If you need to wear glasses, the optometrist will give you a prescription, and then an optician will help you find a good pair of frames. If the optometrist says that you have an eye disease or need surgery, you will see an ophthalmologist. Opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists work together to improve patients' vision and eye health.

Topics Health + Medicine

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