"Optician" is the word most people use for the shop where they have an eye test. Inside, several different professionals may look after you. The person who tests your eyes is an optometrist. A dispensing optician helps you choose and fit your glasses.
Optometrists and dispensing opticians are both regulated by the General Optical Council (GOC) and must be on its register to practise in the UK. Ophthalmologists are doctors regulated by the General Medical Council, and orthoptists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council.
Who does what
| Professional | What they do | Regulated by |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | Examines your eyes, tests your sight, prescribes and fits glasses and contact lenses, and refers you to your GP or hospital if needed. Some are trained to prescribe medicines for eye conditions | General Optical Council |
| Dispensing optician | Fits and supplies glasses from your prescription and advises on lenses and frames. Does not carry out eye tests | General Optical Council |
| Contact lens optician | A dispensing optician with extra training to fit contact lenses | General Optical Council |
| Ophthalmologist | A doctor who specialises in eyes, including surgery for conditions such as cataracts | General Medical Council |
| Orthoptist | Specialises in squints and eye movement problems, often seeing children | Health and Care Professions Council |
What an optometrist checks
The NHS says optometrists examine the inside and outside of your eye for conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts, and test focusing, eye coordination, depth perception and colour vision. If they find something that needs a closer look, they refer you to your GP or a hospital eye clinic.
Why the names get confused
Many people use "optician" for both roles. The GOC itself uses the word in its public perceptions research, because most people do not separate the two professions. Day to day, it rarely matters: when you book an eye test at any high street optician, such as Boots Opticians, Specsavers or Vision Express, or at an independent practice, it is carried out by a registered optometrist.
How to check someone is registered
The GOC publishes a register of optometrists, dispensing opticians, student opticians and optical businesses, which you can search on its website. Membership of the College of Optometrists is shown by the letters MCOptom or FCOptom after an optometrist's name.
Which one should you see?
For an eye test, new glasses or contact lenses, or a non-urgent eye problem, start with an optometrist at your local optician. Many can see you quickly for problems such as a red or sore eye. They will refer you on to an ophthalmologist or other specialist if you need one. If you have sudden loss of vision or a serious eye injury, go to A&E or call 999.
