"James H. H. Lampert" <jam...@touchtonecorp.com> wrote: > On 9/10/24 7:42 AM, Larry Martell wrote: > > One would be better to see an ophthalmologist as opposed to an > > optician. > > Correct. An optician can only fill a prescription written by an > ophthalmologist or an optometrist. And depending on where you go for > eye care, and your own particular needs, you may need both: at > Kaiser, I learned early-on that ophthalmologists there will refer you > to an optometrist for routine eyeglass prescriptions, even if they > are examining you for other problems (e.g., vitreous > shrinkage/liquefaction).
I'm guessing both of you are in the US, whilst I'm in the UK. Here an opthalmologist is a doctor working in a hospital, to whom I would have to be referred by my GP. Wanting some spectacles isn't something my GP or an opthalmologist would be interested in normally. Opticians in this country come in two flavours: dispensing opticians and optometrist. Normally they work together in a practice, although there are a few practices without one or the other. It is thus common to refer to an "optician" when meaning a private practitioner (or collection thereof) who can prescribe and dispense spectacles. > As to "driving glasses," "reading glasses," "computer/music desk > glasses," and so forth, prescriptions can be optimized for various > needs and various activities. Indeed so, which is why I suggested visiting an optician. They are also qualified to diagnose cataracts and to refer to an opthalmologist for treatment as and when suitable.
