Frequently Asked Questions — Consumer Information

An optometrist is a primary health care practitioner trained to diagnose signs of ocular, neurological and systemic health problems, and treat vision disorders. They prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, low vision aids, vision therapy and medicines to treat eye diseases as well as perform certain surgical procedures.Doctors of optometry must complete the same undergraduate curriculum as all other health care professionals. Optometry schools are four year curriculums, and include at least two years of clinical training. Following graduation, all optometrists must pass a battery of tests issued by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, which includes clinical competency testing.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) trained in eye surgery and eye disease. They may prescribe glasses, contact lenses, medicine, and perform minor and major surgical procedures, such as cataract surgery and refractive surgery.Ophthalmologists have completed medical school and 4 years of post-graduate training. Some have subspecialized and completed 1-2 more years of post-graduate training.

An optician is an eye wear provider trained to select, manufacture, and dispense spectacles, and sell or deliver contact lenses upon the written prescription of an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Opticians are not licensed by optometrists or ophthalmologists, nor are they licensed by a state agency.

Under Federal Law, an optometrist is required to release a patient's spectacle prescription.  Under Wisconsin state law optometrists are required to release a prescription for contact lenses upon a patient's request. 

Under Federal Law, an optometrist is required to release a patient's spectacle prescription.  Under Wisconsin state law optometrists are required to release a prescription for contact lenses upon a patient's request. 

Almost everyone can start with their local optometrist. By far the most common problems are optical in nature, and your local optometrist can readily help you find a solution. He/she is also trained to diagnose all eye and vision conditions. If your condition needs a medical or surgical consultation, a referral will be made to the appropriate medical specialist. 

Below is a list of optometry schools if you are looking for a career in optometry. For more information on optometry as a career, click here . 

University of Alabama Birmingham
Southern California College of Optometry
University of California, Berkely
Ferris State University
Illinois College of Optometry
Indiana University
University of Missouri-St. Louis
New England College of Optometry
State University of New York
Northeastern State University
Nova Southeastern University
Ohio State University
Pacific University
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Inter American University of Puerto Rico
Southern College of Optometry
University of Houston

In Canada:
University of Montreal School of Optometry
University of Waterloo School of Optometry

Vision Therapy is a program of activities and exercises taught in every optometry school and used by specially trained optometrists that has been shown to be effective in improving reading difficulties and certain other vision conditions. While often used in a multidisciplinary approach in conjunction with educational therapies, Vision Therapy is often more effective than special education, tutoring, and speech and language therapy, and often succeeds where other treatments have had limited success. Every child with a reading disability should have an eye exam by an optometrist.