Hi, Are There Any Doctors Or Optholomists On Please?

[bananatigger]

I have really bad pains in my eye/eyelid. Can anyone please help? Can't get in with my GP or optician for 2 weeks.

[stuey]

Pete65, we are seeing eye-to eye, so to speak.

[ummmm]

My kids all had to attend ophthalmologist. What's the difference?

[stuey]

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diseases of the eye. An optometrist is not a medical doctor. An optician it a technician who deals with glasses.

[Daffy6543]

Optician here is the one who performs the tests and prescribes the lenses, the person who helps you choose the frames etc is called a dispensing assistant.

[Daffy6543]

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/optician

[stuey]

Well, that goes to prove that nothing is either black or white: there are gray areas even in the science of vision:)

[Postdog]

I have to disagree about putting down opticians. I have had eye problems for months and have seen a proper NHS eye doctor. He has been about as much use as a spare trick at a magicians wedding. The optician not only diagnosed the beginnings of a cataract missed by the doctor but also deducted my problems are related to fluctuating blood sugar levels. Admittedly they can only refer to those who can do something, but at least I know what is wrong.

[bananatigger]

I called the emergency out of hours doctor who said they don't have 'eye equipment'! Will try and see my GP tomorrow. If not, hello a&e. Thanks all.

[york310]

Study - in the uk we have ophthalmic opticians (more commonly called optometrists now) and dispensing opticians. The latter is those that dispense and fit spectacles and the optometrists examine eye health and can diagnose and manage certain eye conditions and also prescribe spectacle prescriptions.

[york310]

Sorry, I meant Stuey not study