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Eye & vision practitioners
Click on the type of eye and vision practitioner from the table below to learn about the general description of the nature of the service. Click the type of practitioner from the list on the right to find your local provider.
| Cataract surgeons | Ophthalmologist |
| Corneal refractive therapy/Ortho-Keratology | Optician |
| Laser vision surgeons | Optometrist |
| Lens implant surgeons | Retinal specialist |
| Low vision rehabilitation |
| Books and publications of interest | Blogs, newsletters and feeds of interest |
| Professional acronyms | Professional organizations |
| Common terminology | Interesting and helpful information |
Cataract surgeons specialize in the removal of the clouded natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial, or intraocular, lens. The new lens is implanted to improve focus and correct vision problems.
Corneal refractive therapy or Ortho-Keratology is a therapy to correct myopia or nearsightedness. This non-surgical therapy uses special contact lenses that remain in your eyes while you sleep to gently reshape the cornea and provide relief from the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Laser vision surgeons use a laser to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism. In one common form of surgery, known as LASIK, a thin flap in the cornea is created to allow for the removal of some corneal tissue.
Lens implant surgeons substitute the natural lens of the eye with an artificial, or intra-ocular, lens. Depending on the situation, the implanted lens is used to support the natural lens or replace the lens. The conditions treated by lens implants are similar to the problems treated by laser vision correction such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism.
Low vision rehabilitation is a sub-specialty eye care service performed by a specialist (either optometrist or ophthalmologist) providing rehabilitation care for people who have lost vision due to eye disease. Optical devices, such as microscopes, telescopes, video magnification systems, etc., as well as non-optical devices, allow functioning at optimal vision level possible in consideration of the underlying eye disease.
Ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. They provide a full spectrum of care including routine eye exams, diagnosis and medical treatment of eye disorders and diseases, prescriptions for eyeglasses, surgery, and management of eye problems that are caused by systemic illnesses.
Opticians manufacture, verify, and deliver lenses, frames and other specially fabricated optical devices. The optician's functions include: prescription analysis and interpretation; determination of the lens forms best suited to the wearer's needs; the preparation and delivery of the work orders for grinding of lenses and the fabrication of eyewear; the verification of the finished ophthalmic products; and the adjustment, replacement, repair and reproduction of previously prepared ophthalmic devises.
Optometrist, or a Doctor of Optometry (OD), is an eye doctor who examines eyes for both vision and health problems, and corrects refractive error by prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses. Optometrists also diagnose and treat eye problems and diseases, and prescribe many ophthalmic medications as well as participate in pre- and post operative care after eye surgery.
Retinal specialists, or vitreoretinal specialists, are ophthalmologists who treat conditions involving the retina and vitreous such as retinal detachment, macular disease (such as macular degeneration), diabetic retinopathy and trauma, infection or inflammation of the eye. The vitreous, or watery gel that fills the eye from the lens back to the retina, may become cloudy with aging or become filled with blood (most often with severe diabetic eye disease) and markedly decrease vision. Surgery can remove the abnormal vitreous to improve vision.
