Overview

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MDs) who specialize in eye care. Ophthalmology is a surgical subspecialty. Ophthalmologists are licensed by provincial medical boards to practice medicine and are certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Ophthalmologists are certified to:

• Diagnose and treat all forms of eye disease.
• Prescribe and administer diagnostic and therapeutic drugs.
• Prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• Treat eye injuries.
• Perform surgery on the eye.

• Diagnose refractive errors and prescribe corrective and therapeutic lenses.
• Diagnose and treat binocular vision concerns, such as problems with eye focusing, teaming, or movements.
• Find and treat disease and refer you to an ophthalmologist or other specialist.
• Administer diagnostic and therapeutic drugs.
• Perscribe certain drugs to treat eye conditions.
• Diagnose and treat glaucoma.
• Order laboratory testing.
• Remove foreign bodies.
• Provide medically necessary eyecare (covered by Alberta Health Care).

Opticians are skilled technicians. They do not test vision, prescribe corrective lenses, or diagnose or treat eye diseases. All provinces require completion of a 1- to 4-year training program. Opticians can complete more training to become licensed to test vision and fit contact lenses. Opticians can:

• Fill prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• Help you select appropriate eyeglass frames and measure the eyes to ensure a proper fit.
• Fit eyeglass lenses into frames.
• Adjust eyeglass frames for comfort and proper lens position.
• Clean and polish contact lenses.

Making the choice

Both ophthalmologists and optometrists can diagnose refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, and prescribe corrective lenses, such as glasses or contact lenses.