Edinburgh opticians, optometrists and doctors

Who you are trusting the care of your eyes to?   

  

 Eyecare-Plus

 8 Rodney Street

 Edinburgh EH7 4EA

 United Kingdom
 opticians 0131 556 7836
    e-mail
  HomePage

 Edinburgh members of the College of Optometrists
Member of the College of
Optometrists 
 

     

 Edinburgh optician   
     
     



David Crystal BSc MCOptom DipTp Edinburgh 2006

Opticians & Optometristsoptician in Edinburgh

The term "optician" is now synonymous with the commercial activity of supplying glasses; "optometrist" pertains to those involved with the health aspect of eye care.

Optometrists examine and test eyes for disease, general health problems and defects in eyesight. In a clinical setting, they advise on corrective options, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, issue healthcare advice, monitor eye conditions and refer eye disorders that cannot be managed in a primary care ( non hospital ) setting to ophthalmologists.

UK optometrists are not called doctors as in the United States and Canada. In the UK it is proposed that optometrists with a higher post graduate qualification in Ocular Therapeutics treat some eye conditions without the wait of being referred for NHS hospital treatment. This will help enormously.

Optometrists study at university for three years ( four in Scotland ) and then undergo a pre-registration year of supervised clinical practice prior to professional examinations. Registration with the General Optical Council then allows independent practice.

Other eye care professionals

Dispensing optician
A dispensing optician is specially trained to take essential measurements  to enable manufacture of glasses  according to the prescription from an optometrist. They also make sure the glasses fit properly and advise on style and shape. With further training they can fit contact lenses.

Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a medically qualified surgeon specialising in eye disease and treatment and carries out eye operations when necessary.

Orthoptist
Orthoptists work with ophthalmologists assessing squints, double vision and other abnormalities of binocular vision prior to treatment and are involved in monitoring the treatment’s success.

Non Professionals in Eyecare
Optical Assistants
Commonly employed by the big optical chains these people are trained "in-house" to emulate the work of dispensing opticians. They might "pre-test" your eyes, assist in choosing frames and fit your glasses.

 



© Eyecare-Plus 2005