When it comes to taking care of the eyes, there are a lot of different people you can see. While there may be some overlap in what they do, they each have different distinct areas of expertise. Even though they all sound about the same, they are all very different.

An Optometrist is a Doctor of, you got it, Optometry. This is your first line of care for your eyes. If you start to notice a problem with your vision, or you just need your annual check-up, an Optometrist is the person you want to see. An optometrist will hold a Bachelor of Science degree as well as a 4 to 5-year Doctorate level degree. An optometrist performs eye exams, diagnoses diseases of the eye and other disorders like macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. An optometrist will also recognize and sometimes manage conditions related to the eyes such as tumors, or diabetes. They will also write the prescription for different types of eyewear depending on the requirement. They can also perform some minimally evasive procedures such as removing foreign objects from your eyes.

slide2aAn Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor. Ophthalmology is a medical and surgical specialty that deals with the anatomy, physiology, and diseases of the eyeball itself. An ophthalmologist can perform the same tests on your eyes as an optometrist, though, as a medical doctor and surgeon, they will work on more complex issues and diseases that involve multiple systems and when surgery is required.

It is important to have good doctors to be able to check, diagnose and keep your eyes healthy, but the lynchpin of everything here, if we do say so ourselves, is the Optician. You can know what your exact issues are and know your precise prescription, but without the talent and artistry of a licensed and skilled optician, it doesn’t mean much at all. The optician is the person who designs and fits all forms of eyewear based on the prescription. This could be corrective lenses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and even prosthetics. It isn’t just about picking out the right glasses, it is about correcting your vision and helping people make the correct choices to help them with their lifestyle, job, career, hobbies or anything else where the appropriate eyewear is required.

At Spectacular Eyewear we pride ourselves on our unique collections and we help people not only see great, but look great. We will help you design your own look.