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Eye Care and Vision

Doctor Decoded: Ophthalmologists vs. Optometrists vs. Opticians

Lauren Smith, MAMera Goodman, MD, FAAP
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP
Updated on November 11, 2025
Reviewed by Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP | November 11, 2025

When you’re due for an eye exam, you know you need to see an eye doctor. But when you search it online, you see different terms, like ophthalmologists and optometrists and even opticians. What’s the difference?

There’s some overlap among the three types of eye experts. They all specialize in eye care and vision, but in different ways. To figure out which eye specialist you should visit, you need to consider what your goals and needs are for your eye care. You may also need to look at which expert your insurance plan covers.

References

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP, is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to practicing medicine, she worked as a management consultant.

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