Optometrist vs Optician vs Ophthalmologist in Singapore
Optometrist, optician or ophthalmologist: who should you see?
In Singapore, three different professionals look after your eyes, and they are not interchangeable. An optometrist is your first stop for an eye test, vision correction and the early detection of eye conditions. An optician is trained to fit and dispense the glasses or contact lenses you have been prescribed. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats eye disease, including surgery. Knowing who does what helps you book the right appointment the first time.
Key takeaways
- An optometrist performs comprehensive eye examinations, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and screens for common eye diseases.
- An optician dispenses and fits eyewear from a prescription; in Singapore, opticians are registered in three defined categories.
- An ophthalmologist is a medical eye specialist who provides medical and surgical treatment for eye disease.
- For most everyday eye and vision needs, an optometrist is the right place to start, and will refer you on when medical care is needed.
At a glance: the three eye care professionals in Singapore
| Professional | Training & registration (Singapore) | What they do | See them for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | Diploma/degree in optometry; registered with the Optometrists and Opticians Board (OOB) | Comprehensive eye exams, vision testing, prescriptions, screening and monitoring of eye conditions, contact lens fitting, myopia control | Routine eye checks, blurred vision, new glasses or contact lenses, children's eye health |
| Optician | Opticianry qualification; registered with the OOB in one of three categories | Designs, verifies, fits and dispenses eyewear from a prescription; some categories may also refract or fit contact lenses | Choosing, fitting, adjusting or repairing glasses; collecting lenses from a prescription |
| Ophthalmologist | Medical doctor with specialist accreditation; registered with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) | Medical and surgical treatment of eye disease, including cataract surgery, glaucoma management and laser procedures | Eye disease, surgery, or conditions referred on by an optometrist |
What is an ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specialises in the eyes. In Singapore, they complete medical school, internship and specialist training, and are registered with the Singapore Medical Council. Their work centres on the medical and surgical treatment of eye disease.
What ophthalmologists do
- Medical eye care: diagnosing and treating conditions such as glaucoma, severe infections and inflammation.
- Surgical eye care: procedures including cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery and treatment of eye trauma.
- Disease management: ongoing care for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and other eye complications linked to systemic illness.
What is an optometrist?
Optometrists are primary eye care providers. In Singapore, optometrists are registered with the Optometrists and Opticians Board (OOB) and are usually the first professional you see for an eye test or a change in your vision. Through a thorough examination they can pick up not only refractive errors but also early signs of eye disease.
What optometrists do
- Comprehensive eye examinations: assessing your vision and the health of your eyes. You can read more about what this involves on our comprehensive eye exam page.
- Prescribing eyewear: glasses and contact lenses to correct short-sightedness (myopia), long-sightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and presbyopia.
- Detecting and monitoring eye conditions: screening for conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, and monitoring conditions such as dry eye.
- Managing childhood myopia: slowing the progression of short-sightedness in children through myopia control options.
- Referrals: if a condition needs medical or surgical treatment, an optometrist refers you to an ophthalmologist and can co-manage your care afterwards.
What is an optician?
Opticians are trained to interpret a prescription and turn it into eyewear that fits and works well for you. They are not eye doctors and do not diagnose eye disease. What is distinctive in Singapore is that opticians are registered with the OOB in one of three categories, which sets out exactly what each is qualified to do.
The three categories of optician in Singapore
- Optician (Dispensing Only): qualified to dispense and fit glasses from a prescription.
- Optician (Refraction and Dispensing): qualified to perform refraction on patients aged 8 and above, and to dispense and fit glasses.
- Optician (Contact Lens Practice): qualified to fit and dispense contact lenses.
What opticians do day to day
- Dispensing eyewear: helping you choose and fit the right glasses or, where qualified, contact lenses based on your prescription.
- Adjustments and repairs: adjusting frames for comfort and repairing damaged eyewear.
- Taking measurements: measuring your face and eyes so your glasses sit correctly and the lenses are centred for clear vision.
Which one should you see?
For most people, an optometrist is the right place to start. They can carry out a comprehensive eye examination, correct your vision and pick up the early signs of eye disease. If something needs medical or surgical treatment, they will refer you to an ophthalmologist. If you simply need to choose, fit or repair glasses from an existing prescription, an optician can help.
- Routine eye check, blurred or changing vision, new glasses or contact lenses, children's eye health: see an optometrist.
- Diagnosed eye disease, surgery, or a condition referred on: see an ophthalmologist.
- Choosing, fitting, adjusting or repairing eyewear from a prescription: see an optician.
How they work together
The three roles overlap by design. An optometrist may detect a condition during a routine check and refer you to an ophthalmologist for treatment. After surgery, you might return to an optometrist or optician to update your eyewear to your new prescription. This shared, referral-based approach means each part of your eye care is handled by the appropriate professional.
How to check a practitioner is registered in Singapore
In Singapore, every optometrist and optician serving the public must hold a Registration Certificate and a Practising Certificate issued by the Optometrists and Opticians Board. You are entitled to ask to see a practitioner's Practising Certificate, and you can verify a name through the public register on the OOB website. Ophthalmologists, as medical doctors, are registered with the Singapore Medical Council.
Where EMME Visioncare fits in
EMME Visioncare is an independent optometry practice. Our optometrists provide comprehensive eye examinations, prescribe and dispense glasses and contact lenses, fit specialty lenses, and manage childhood myopia. We use fundus photography and OCT imaging to examine and document the health of your eyes, and we monitor conditions over time.
Some assessments and treatments sit outside an optometrist's scope, including eye surgery, dilated examinations and the medical treatment of eye disease. Where these are needed, we refer you to an ophthalmologist and can co-manage your care alongside them. You can learn more about looking after your vision on our eye health resources.
To book a comprehensive eye examination, visit our branch at The Cathay beside Dhoby Ghaut MRT, or contact us to arrange an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an optometrist and an optician?
An optometrist examines your eyes, tests your vision and prescribes glasses or contact lenses, and screens for eye disease. An optician fits and dispenses eyewear from a prescription. In short, the optometrist writes the prescription and the optician helps you turn it into glasses or lenses.
Do I need a referral to see an ophthalmologist in Singapore?
You can approach an ophthalmologist directly, but many patients are referred by an optometrist after a specific condition is detected, so that the right tests and treatment are arranged.
Can an optician detect eye diseases?
No. Opticians are trained to fit and dispense eyewear from a prescription. Detecting eye disease is part of a comprehensive eye examination, which is carried out by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
How often should I have an eye examination?
As a general guide, an eye examination every one to two years suits most adults, while children and people with conditions such as diabetes may need more frequent checks. Your optometrist can advise on the right interval for you.
Can I wear contact lenses if I have astigmatism?
Yes. Toric contact lenses are designed for astigmatism. An optometrist can assess your eyes and fit a suitable lens.