Ophthalmologists

(Definition provided by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. For more information, contact the AAO at 415/561-8540.)

An ophthalmologist is a physician (doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy) who specializes in the comprehensive care of the eyes and visual system in the prevention of eye disease and injury. The ophthalmologist has completed four or more years of college premedical education, four or more years of medical school, one year of internship, and three or more years of specialized medical and surgical training and experience in eye care. The ophthalmologist is a physician who is qualified by lengthy medical education, training and experience to diagnose, treat and manage all eye and visual system problems, and is licensed by a state regulatory board to practice medicine and surgery. The ophthalmologist is the medically trained specialist who can deliver total eye care: primary, secondary and tertiary care services (i.e., vision services, contact lenses, eye examinations, medical eye care and surgical eye care), and diagnose general diseases of the body.

Optometrists

(Definition provided by the American Optometric Association. For more information, contact the AOA at 314/991-4100.)

The optometrist is a health care professional trained and state licensed to provide primary eye care services. These services include comprehensive eye health and vision examinations; diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and vision disorders; the detection of general health problems; the prescribing of glasses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy and medications; the performing of certain surgical procedures; and the counseling of patients regarding their surgical alternatives and vision needs as related to their occupations, avocations and lifestyle. The optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Some optometrists complete a residency.

Opticians

(Definition provided by the Opticians Association of America. For more information, contact the OAA at 703/691-8355.)

Opticians are professionals in the field of designing, finishing, fitting and dispensing of eyeglasses and contact lenses, based on an eye doctor's prescription. The optician may also dispense colored and specialty lenses for particular needs as well as low-vision aids and artificial eyes.

Primary Care Providers

Primary care providers (specifically pediatricians and family care providers) have the most regular contact with preschool-age children. Well-child visits provide an excellent opportunity for the early detection of vision-related problems in children. It is during these well-child visits that children should receive an evaluation of their vision and eye health, including an overview of family history, objective vision screening and physical assessment of the eyes.

Prevent Blindness America supports the American Academy of Pediatrics’ policy promoting the "medical home”.

Find out more about Our Vision for Children's Professional Vision Care.

School Nurses

School nurses play a critical role in the continuum of vision and eye healthcare. For many students, a school-based vision screening may be the only opportunity they have to assess their vision. While many states have varying levels of screening requirements, Prevent Blindness America endorses the National Association of School Nurses’ policy of encouraging all nurses to conduct screenings, even when not required by the state.

Beyond the screening itself, school nurses are appropriately situated to assist children and families in understanding vision conditions and in accessing care through referral to appropriate eye care professionals and vision-specific programs, agencies and services. They can also assist teachers and fellow students in understanding situations related to a child’s vision care, such as patching.

Vision Rehabilitation Specialists

The role of this classification of eye care professional cannot be minimized. While it should certainly be our goal to reduce the number of children with any vision loss, vision rehabilitation specialists train children with vision impairments to better use the vision they do have.

Communication among all the professionals involved in a child’s vision care is critical to closing the loop on the continuum of eye care, as well as to supporting the concept of a medical home. Sharing of information related to screening results, diagnoses, treatments and outcomes (compliant with HIPAA standards) must be encouraged and facilitated.