Often it is not understood what differentiates our industry. Below is a brief description of our 3 main divisions:

Dispensing Opticians:

Qualified to advise you on what frames and lenses best suit your needs, prescription and consequently make up the spectacles for you. A dispensing optician does not test eyes; the optometrist or eye specialist has that job.

Optometrists:

Qualified to test your eyes, fit contact lenses and dispense spectacles. Generally if an optometrist identifies a problem with your eyes that requires medication or surgery they would refer you to an eye specialist.

Ophthalmologists:

A doctor who has specialised in eye disease and eye surgery. Ophthalmologists test eyes, and also follow through with any medication or surgery that may be necessary. They give you a prescription for your glasses to dispense at an optician, as they do not sell frames (optician is a generic name used to describe an optometrist or dispensing optician).

There are many questions and interesting facts that can be found and answered in the below links:

http://www.nzao.co.nz - The NZ Assoc. of Optometrists.

http://www.adonz.co.nz

http://www.children-special-needs.org

http://www.wefixeyes.co.nz ...Wellington Eye Centre for laser and cataract surgery