Eye Care Professionals -- Who Does What?
The following article is reprinted in abbreviated format with the permission of the Opticians Association of Canada. It provides information on the roles and expertise of different eye care professionals and what to expect during eye examinations. Although related to eye care in British Columbia, the information is relevant to all with vision impairment.
VISION TESTING BY OPTICIANS IN BC
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sight test and how does it differ from an eye health exam?
Simply put, a sight test checks a person’s vision, and an eye health exam checks for disease.
An optician administered sight test uses a suite of computer-driven equipment that determines the client’s existing lens value and the value of lens required to bring the client’s sight to an acceptable level.
An eye health screening is provided by physicians in the course of general practice, by optometrists and by ophthalmologists - medical doctors specializing in diseases of the eye. The purpose of an eye health examination is to observe eye structures and cell tissue for any early signs of eye disease.
In British Columbia regulations state that opticians may conduct sight tests under specific conditions and with signed consent that consumers understand the difference between a vision test and an eye health exam. The regulation will require British Columbians with pre-existing health conditions or who may be at higher risk because of their age, visual acuity, required lens value or ethnicity to have a full eye-health exam.
If I’ve never had an eye test before but I think I need glasses, can I go to an optician?
If you describe a visual complaint such as seeing double images, a sight-testing optician would refer you to a physician or an optometrist. If you fall within the specific parameters outlined in the sight-testing standard but have not seen a physician or had an eye health examination before, it would be recommended that you do so. In many instances, opticians can provide you with a free vision test. As mentioned before the parameters within which opticians are allowed to sight test are based on demographic factors such as age and ethnicity, and on medical history and required lens value.
What is the difference between an optician, ophthalmologist and an optometrist?
In the optical community, opticians are trained and qualified lens and frame specialists who may also, with proper training administer free sight-testing services for specific groups of people.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor trained in detecting and treating diseases of the eye, and in performing eye surgeries. Optometrists provide sight-testing services and most sell their clients optical products based on the results of those testing services. Optometrists are also trained to perform eye health examinations. Some of the other services optometrists provide are orthoptic training services, visual field testing, and glaucoma testing.
Of the ‘three Os’ only ophthalmologists are medical doctors. An optometrist refers consumers to either a physician or an ophthalmologist if the consumers display conditions of the eye that are outside the range of ‘normal’.
How do I know which one I should go to?
If you are a healthy adult, are not excluded by the standards and guidelines for eligibility, and you want to refresh the power of your lenses an optician is well suited to help you. Opticians are permitted to conduct vision tests on individuals who are between those ages and who are not excluded because of pre-existing health conditions or other factors. An optician will go through a pre-test questionnaire with the prospective client in order to determine suitability and will also make certain the client understands the difference between an optician-performed sight test and an eye health examination.
As an example, if you are 19 or under or 65 or older, and have concerns about the health of your eyes, you do not qualify for an optician-performed sight test, your physician can refer you to either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
Copyright © 2005 Opticians Association of Canada