What does an optician do?
Opticians are health care providers who fill prescriptions
for eyeglasses
and contact lenses and dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses to
consumers.
Opticians are also known as registered dispensing opticians and
ophthalmic
dispensers. Opticians may not perform eye examinations or issue
prescriptions
for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
What is the difference between an optician, an
optometrist, and an
ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor with extensive
training who specializes
in medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and
in eye
disease and injury prevention. Ophthalmologists are primary
health care
providers who perform eye examinations and prescribe any
necessary treatment,
including eyeglasses, contact lenses, and medications.
An optometrist is a doctor of optometry trained to perform eye
examinations,
diagnose and treat certain disorders of the eyes, and prevent
eye disease
and injury. Optometrists are primary health care providers who
prescribe
eyeglasses and contact lenses.
An optician is a health care provider who fills prescriptions
for eyeglasses
and contact lenses and dispenses eyeglasses and contact lenses
to consumers
upon written instructions from an ophthalmologist or
optometrist.
Definitions
Contact lens dispensing means the fabrication, ordering,
adjustment,
dispensing, sale, and delivery to the consumer of contact lens
prescribed
by and dispensed in accordance with a prescription from a
licensed physician
or optometrist.
Spectacle dispensing means the design, verification, fitting,
adjustment,
sale, and delivery to the consumer of fabricated and finished
spectacle
lenses, frames or other opthalmic devices, prescribed by and
dispensed
in accordance with a prescription from a licensed physician or
optometrist.
How can consumers know if their optician is a registered
dispensing
optician?
Ask the optician. Registered dispensing opticians are
issued a valid
registration certificate and identification card every two years
when
they renew the registration. Also, registered dispensing
opticians are
required to provide notification to customers of the name,
address, and
telephone number of DSHS so customers may file complaints if
they have
problems with services received from the registered dispensing
optician.
This notice may appear on a bill or contract for services or on a
sign
posted in the place of business.