Tonight, we’ll read from “Spectacle Secrets” written by George Cox and published in 1844. The real “secret of the spectacle” may be how to remember the difference between the role of an optician, an optometrist, and an ophthalmologist.

While all three deal with eyes, and all three start with the letters “op”, their roles are, of course, quite different. Let’s have a quick review.

An optician, like the author of tonight’s fine publication, is like a skilled tailor—but for your vision. They fit and adjust glasses and contact lenses based on prescriptions.

Those prescriptions would be written by an optometrist, who you can think of as a primary care physician, but for your eyes specifically. They diagnose and treat common eye conditions.

If something more serious comes up, the optometrist will likely refer you to an ophthalmologist, much like how a primary care doctor refers patients to a specialist.

And now, it’s time to set our sights on getting a good night’s sleep.

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