While an Orthoptist is a professional who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of problems associated with eye movement or any form of misalignment, an Ophthalmologist is a medically trained doctor who not only acts as a physician able to diagnose and provide treatment for eye injuries or diseases inside and around the eye, they can also perform surgeries.

Part of the work of an Orthoptist is diagnosis and management of certain eye problems and that can involve prescribing glasses and also contact lenses. Orthoptists can decide the type of glasses you need and can, in that case, are specialized and capable of prescribing glasses for you.

An Orthoptist cannot perform surgery. However, they can recommend surgical procedures or options for you. They are not specialized in surgical aspects of treatments and are not capable of performing surgeries though they can assist with some minor procedures.

An Orthoptist is a medical professional who is responsible for the diagnoses, monitoring, and management of symptoms related to the eyes such as double vision, wobbly eyes (nystagmus), droopy lids (ptosis). They are usually the primary health care professional when it comes to any of the above-mentioned eye problems including any form of eye misalignment.