Most people wonder whom to visit when they have vision problems.
Initially, you need to understand the different types of eye doctors and the services they offer in order to clear your mind of any uncertainties. There are three main eye specialists whom one can consult and they include: ophthalmologist, optometrist and optician. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have been trained to provide both medical and surgical eye care. They have undergone four year training in medical school plus a one year internship and three year training in ophthalmology.
Ophthalmologists
Ophthalmologists can opt to add one extra year for a subspecialty area in eye care like glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology or refractive ophthalmology. Ophthalmologists offer the following services: eye check-ups, diagnosing and treating eye problems, prescribing medications, contact lenses and sunglasses. They also perform eye surgeries on various eye defects. Individual eye care institutions such as the Sydney Eye Hospital are known to have the best ophthalmologists.
Optometrists
The second eye doctor is known as an optometrist, this type of doctor has graduated from optometry school. But he or she never attends medical schools like ophthalmologists. He or she is trained to examine, diagnose, treat and manage eye diseases, injuries and disorders. The degree training program in optometry takes four years and persons who attain the degree are licensed by the state in which they practise eye care.
Optometrists are authorised to prescribe glasses, contact lenses, diagnosing and treating patients with certain ocular diseases. The third important eye doctor is an optician; opticians are professionals who have a two year technical degree that enables them to work in an optometrists or ophthalmologists office. Opticians are authorised to interpret prescriptions, fit eyeglasses or contact lenses and takes eye measurements in order to ensure that the eyeglasses fit properly. The Sydney eye hospital is one of the best eye care centres where one can get the above services.
Ophthalmology Fellows: The Future of Eye Care
At the heart of Sydney Eye Hospital’s commitment to excellence are its Ophthalmology Fellows—specialist doctors undergoing advanced training in their chosen fields of eye care. These Fellows bring fresh perspectives, the latest international techniques, and a dedication to research that keeps the hospital at the forefront of ophthalmology.
Fellows work closely with senior consultants, contributing to both patient care and the hospital’s teaching environment. They play a pivotal role in diagnosing and treating complex eye conditions, ensuring patients receive world-class care. Their presence not only benefits current patients but also shapes the future of eye care in Australia and beyond.
The Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation is proud to contribute funds for these positions, supporting the next generation of ophthalmologists and helping them gain invaluable experience. This investment ensures continued innovation and excellence in eye health.
To meet our current team of Fellows and learn more about their contributions, read about our 2025 Ophthalmology Fellows here.
Professors and Academic Leaders: Driving Innovation in Eye Care
Sydney Eye Hospital is proud to be home to some of Australia’s most esteemed ophthalmologists, many of whom hold titles such as Professor and Associate Professor. These academic leaders are at the forefront of both clinical excellence and innovative research, ensuring that patients receive world-class care while also mentoring the next generation of specialists.
Each professor at Sydney Eye Hospital brings unique expertise and contributes to the hospital’s reputation as a center of excellence in eye health.
