Ophthalmologist, optometrist, or optician? Confused?
Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor and surgeon (MD).
Treats all eye diseases and conditions. Graduate of a medical
school. Professional training 8-10 years.
Optometrist is not a medical doctor, but has
extensive training in optometry. May treat
some eye conditions, but mostly deals with vision problems.
Graduate of an optometry school. Professional training 4 years.
Optician dispenses eyeglasses and contact lenses. Has
formal training (1-2 years) or learned through an apprenticeship.
Paraoptometric personnel are allied health in
optometry. Formal or on-the-job
training. Per CPS "paraoptometrics are allied health
personnel who extend the optometrist’s capabilities by assuming
routine and technical aspects of vision care services. They may be
optometric assistants, technicians, opticians, office managers,
receptionists, or other staff in an optometrist’s office."
Credentials for Optometric Assistants & Technicians
The certified paraoptometric
examinations are administered by the American Optometric
Association, Commission on Paraoptometric Certification and the
Professional Testing Corporation.
Certified Paraoptometric - CPO To sit for the CPO exam, the applicant must have six months of
experience in the eye care field.
Certified Paraoptometric Assistant - CPOA To sit for the CPOA exam, the applicant must have six months
experience as a CPO, or be a graduate of a full time formal
paraoptometric education program, or have five years of
experience in the field.
Certified Paraoptometric Technician - CPOT
To sit for the CPOT exam, the applicant must have six months
experience as a CPOA or be a graduate of an ACOE (Accreditation
Council on Optometric Education) approved optometric technician
program. The exam has written and practical parts.
Organizations
ACOE
Accreditation Council on Optometric Education, the only accrediting
body for professional optometric degree (O.D.) programs, optometric
residency programs, and optometric technician programs in the United
States and Canada
AOA
American Optometric Association has a Paraoptometric Section. They
offer continuing education for allied health in optometry.
COA
California Optometric Association
CPS
California Paraoptometric Section is an organization for paraoptometric personnel. It's
membership includes optometric assistants, technicians, staff, and
opticians. CPS is affiliated with the California Optometric
Association.
CPC
Commission on Paraoptometric Certification, formerly known as the
National Council on Paraoptometric Certification, was established in
2000 by the American Optometric Association. They offer
paraoptometric certification in three levels: CPO, CPOA, and CPOT.
step-by-step system for properly fitting and
adjusting eyewear, covers every aspect of
dispensing, perfect for students who are just
learning about dispensing
