Optometrists

Optometrists conduct eye and vision examinations, prescribe spectacles and contact lenses and carry out treatment for eye disorders. Optometrists do not perform surgery, but may use drugs to treat eye diseases in some States. Optometrists must complete a four or five year university qualification specifically on the eye and its care before they can be registered to practise. Optometrists may also dispense visual appliances, such as glasses and contact lenses, from their own practice. An increasing proportion of the work optometrists do relates to eye disease and problems which affect the way in which the eyes work together (binocularvision). Optometrists in some states can also prescribe drugs to treat minor eye diseases such as conjunctivitis.

Optometrists provide approximately three quarters of all eye examinations given by eyecare professionals in Australia.

There are three other major groups of people involved in eye care.

Ophthalmologists are medical practitioners who concentrate on treating eye disease with drugs and surgery. Although their specialist training is centred in these areas they also prescribespectacles.

There is a considerable degree of overlap in the services optometrists and ophthalmologists provide. Both perform refraction and prescribe spectacles and contact lenses, both are qualified in the detection of eye disease and there is a growing overlap in the treatment of minor ocular disorders. Only ophthalmologists perform major eye surgery and treat serious eye disease.

Orthoptists act as assistants to ophthalmologists. They perform many tasks that are similar to those of optometrists, except that they provide these services on behalf of, and under the supervision of, an ophthalmologist. Most orthoptists work in hospitals and inophthalmologists' practices.

Optical dispensers grind and fit lenses and sell spectacles according to a prescription written by an optometrist or medical practitioner. Some optical dispensers and optical dispensing chains utilise optometrists or ophthalmologists either on the premises (when the law permits) or inadjacent premises for obtaining prescriptions for spectacles. Optical dispensers are frequently employed by optometrists as assistants in optometric practices.