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What do we all do for a living?
MsMercury:
I'm a certified optician but not licensed in Florida yet.
BBM-Cat:
--- Quote from: MsMercury on March 13, 2008, 09:32:35 pm ---I'm a certified optician but not licensed in Florida yet.
--- End quote ---
Something I've always wondered....what is the difference between an optician, optometrist, and opthalmologist? In 500 words or less, please. :D (just kidding, take as many as you want!)
optom3:
--- Quote from: MsMercury on March 13, 2008, 09:32:35 pm ---I'm a certified optician but not licensed in Florida yet.
--- End quote ---
Ditto apparantly you have to go to Miami to do the conversion,from Brit to USA qualifications.Think I will just stay home!!!!!
MsMercury:
::::::: Clears throat :::::::
An optician is someone who has passed the American Board of Opticianry exam and is proficient in fitting and adjusting glasses. They are ultimately responsible for doing the last inspection on the glasses before they go out the door. Like putting their stamp of approval on them. You also have to know how to troubleshoot whenever someone is having a problem with their glasses.
When you pass the ABO exam you become a certified optician. Certain states require an opticians' license. Florida is one. This means in addition to the ABO exam you have to pass a contact lens exam, the state boards and either apprentice under 2 licensed opticians for 3 years or go to an opticianry school and get your A.A in opticianry.These states require a licensed optician to be on the premises whenever the store is open. I have passed the ABO and finished my apprentice work.
An optometrist is someone who is a doctor of optometry. They specialize in refractions (getting your rx) and diagnosing eye diseases.
An opthomologist specializes in the treatment of eye diseases and performs surgery. They go to medical school in addition to optometry school. You can go to an optometrist to get your rx and they check the health of your eyes. If they see anything wrong then they would refer you to an opthomologist.
Any questions? Feel free to ask. I've been working in optical for 15 years. I was an optometric technician (in the docs office) for 2 years and have spent the past 13 years working in the lab making glasses. I've been working on the floor in addition to the lab for the past year selling and fitting glasses.
Teri
optom3:
--- Quote from: BBM-Cat on March 13, 2008, 10:01:31 pm ---Something I've always wondered....what is the difference between an optician, optometrist, and opthalmologist? In 500 words or less, please. :D (just kidding, take as many as you want!)
--- End quote ---
An optometrist has a degree in optometry,and can perform eye examinations i.e determine spectacle prescription, fit contact lenses, check health of the eyes,and if eye disease is detected must then refer to an, ophthalmologist who is an eye doctor.In the U.K an optometrist can also treat some minor eye conditions and do the follow ups on glaucoma and diabetic patients.If they take extra qualifications.
Ophthalmologists have medical degrees and can diagnose, treat eye diseases and perform surgery.They can also do eye exams if they want,most do not.Surgery is more lucrative.
An optician has a college education,but generally not a degree,they measure up the patient for frames and the lenses that go in them,(as detrmined by the optometrist,) and then fit them. They cannot do eye exminations or treat eye diseases,or perform surgery.In some cases with extra qualifications they can fit contact lenses under the supervision of an optometrist.
Finally there is a technician who makes the spectacles.
so the rough hierarchy is ,ophthalmologist,optometrist,optician, technician
Does that help?
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