Have you ever wondered what the difference is between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist? They both work in eye care, but there are several differences between them and their scope of practice.
Optometrists in Australia complete a university degree and are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). An optometrist is a primary eye care provider, meaning they are typically the first point of contact if you experience any eye trouble or are due for a routine eye examination.
Your optometrist in Canberra checks your vision and prescribes glasses and contact lenses as needed. They also examine the health of your eyes and are equipped to detect ocular diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. They can diagnose and treat numerous eye conditions, such as infections like conjunctivitis, as well as inflammation of the eyes, including uveitis. This often involves prescribing ocular medication. An optometrist can not perform eye surgeries, but can recommend and refer you to an ophthalmologist if required.
Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions and diseases, both surgically and medically. To see one, you must be referred to them by an optometrist or medical practitioner. Ophthalmologists can perform surgeries on the eye and treat certain eye conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, through surgical procedures.
They are also able to manage more complex ocular cases that have been referred to them by optometrists or GPs. Following their medical degree at university, ophthalmologists undergo years of extensive training and generally have a speciality that they focus their care on (e.g., anterior eye, refractive surgery, surgical retina).
When you have a concern about your eyes, who should you see for your first point of call? Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both trained to examine, treat and care for your eyes.
Your Canberra Optometrists, such as those at Capital Eye, are primary vision care providers. We conduct eye examinations to assess vision and detect eye conditions and diseases.
At Capital Eye, our optometrists in Canberra can:
- Prescribe spectacles and contact lenses
- Perform comprehensive eye exams for children and adults
- Monitor eye conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and keratoconus
- Diagnose and treat anterior eye conditions such as conjunctivitis, uveitis and dry eye
- Complete driving assessment forms for private and commercial driving licenses
- Provide referrals to Ophthalmologists and liaise with other allied health professionals
Ophthalmologists are medical practitioners and eye surgeons. They are trained to treat and diagnose more complex eye conditions and diseases through medical or surgical interventions. They can perform eye surgery such as cataract surgery or laser vision correction, and treat retinal disorders. To see an ophthalmologist, a referral is required from your GP, optometrist, or other healthcare provider.
For any eye or vision concerns, your first point of call should be your optometrist. They can diagnose and treat most eye conditions. If it is beyond their scope of practice, they will be able to refer you to the appropriate ophthalmologist for more specialised treatment.
The Bottom Line
At Capital Eye, we are optometrists and primary eyecare providers. If you require further treatment, we have strong industry connections with ophthalmologists in Canberra and across Australia to ensure you receive the best specialist care.