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Eye Care 101 · 3 min read · Mar 2, 2026

Optometrist, Ophthalmologist,
or Optician?

The eye care world has three O's — and knowing which one to see for your specific situation can save you time, an unnecessary referral, and money. Most patients need an optometrist. Here's when that changes.

Your Primary Eye Doctor

What Is an
Optometrist?

An optometrist (O.D. — Doctor of Optometry) completes four years of optometry school following a bachelor's degree, with intensive training in visual optics, ocular disease, pharmacology, and patient care. In Arizona, optometrists are licensed to perform comprehensive eye exams, diagnose and manage many eye diseases, prescribe corrective lenses, and prescribe therapeutic medications.

Annual Exams, Glasses & Contacts Your first call for routine vision care and corrective lens prescriptions.
Dry Eye, Glaucoma & Diabetic Care Diagnosis and ongoing medical management of common eye conditions.
Urgent Eye Care Red eyes and sudden vision changes are handled by your optometrist first.
Dr. Tiffany Uelner, O.D. — board-certified optometrist at Visions Optique & Eyecare, North Scottsdale

In This Article

The Other Two O's

An ophthalmologist (M.D. or D.O.) is a medical doctor who has completed four years of medical school plus a surgical residency in ophthalmology — 12 or more years of education in total. Ophthalmologists perform everything an optometrist does, plus surgical procedures: cataract removal, LASIK and refractive surgery, glaucoma surgery, retinal surgery, and complex interventions.

You would see an ophthalmologist when surgery is needed or when a condition has progressed beyond medical management. Your optometrist refers you when appropriate and continues co-managing your care afterward.

An optician is a trained technician — not a doctor — who specializes in fitting and dispensing corrective lenses based on a prescription. Opticians help you select frames, take measurements, and ensure your glasses or contacts are correctly fitted. They do not diagnose eye disease or write prescriptions.

Annual exam, glasses, contact lenses: Optometrist. Dry eye, glaucoma, diabetic eye care: Optometrist. Red eye, sudden vision changes: Optometrist (urgent). Cataract surgery, LASIK evaluation: Ophthalmologist. Frame fitting and lens adjustments: Optician.

At Visions Optique & Eyecare, Dr. Tiffany Uelner and Dr. Matthew Campouris provide comprehensive primary eye care for the whole family — and refer to trusted ophthalmologists in the Scottsdale area when surgery is indicated.

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