What's the difference between an optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist?
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Let's start with the basics – where to look. Most commonly when people refer to eye-care, they speak about opticians. However that's not normally what is meant. Here are the three kinds of “eye-doctors”.
- Optician: Can only dispense glasses and fit contact lenses based on prescriptions from Optometrists and Ophthalmologists. A 'Pharmacist for eyes'.
- Optometrist: Can perform tests to diagnose and treat certain eye diseases through prescriptions and referrals. They can also gauge general quality of vision and dispense corrective lenses. They are the 'GPs for eyes'.
- Ophthalmologist: Can diagnose all known eye problems (even those indirectly away from the eyes, E.G. Diabetes), providing medical care and surgery if necessary. These are the senior physicians with research publications.
So now that you know what they are, here is where you can find them in Barcelona.
Where to find an optician in Barcelona
No matter what part of the city you're in, you're never too far away from an optician. We've formed a complete map of opticians that covers the whole city.
Where to find an optometrist in Barcelona
In general, most of the opticians in Barcelona also have optometrists on site to also carry out basic eye tests, so you can try to visit any one of the places above. However, here is a map of optometrists that are slightly more specialized and where you'll find a comprehensive eye test.
Where to find an ophthalmologist in Barcelona
If you've visited an optometrist and aren't satisfied with your diagnosis, you may want to consider visiting an ophthalmologist, who will have much more extensive knowledge not just of problems in the eye, but visual problems that might be caused by other factors like diabetes, or neurological and immune diseases.
Excursions in Barcelona
To make the most of Barcelona and fill your trip with unforgettable experiences and emotions, we offer you the excursions through the Catalan capital organized by our friends - the GetYourGuide team. Choose your excursion and fall in love with Barcelona:
Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre
When money is no problem, the best Ophthalmology treatment that money can buy in Spain and one of the best in the world can be found at the Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre. The Barraquer family name is famous amongst ophthalmologists around the world, as the family has frequently innovated and advanced the study through new techniques that have led to changes on how we treat eye problems today, especially cataracts.
The centre is still making advances today, implanting the first bionic eye (Argus II) in Spain. They lead in research, and their most ambitious project at the moment is perfecting a method of cataract surgery called Phaco-ersatz that will also be able to fix Presbyopia (sight deterioration caused by aging).
You can request a consultation directly with Rafael and Elena Barraquer here or call (+34) 932095311. They speak English, Spanish, Catalan, French, and Italian.
At the Barraquer centre, like all Ophthalmology clinics they specialize in the full range of eye care. However, they lead the way in:
- Cataracts
- Early detection of cataracts
- Issues with the cornea
- Issues with the ocular surface
- Emergency ophthalmological treatments
- Uveitis and ocular inflammation
- Macular problems
- Ocular-plastic surgery
- Vitreous issues
- Oncology
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Pediatric ophthalmology
- Contact lenses
List of other ophthalmologists in Barcelona (that speak English or Spanish)
- Dr. Carlos Javier Ruiz Lapuente:
- Specialist in Macular, Glaucoma, Cataracts, Retinopathy, Refractive Laser Surgery, Injuries, Astigmatism .
- Address: C/Còrsega, 301-303, Floor 4 Door 2, 08008, Barcelona
- Contact details:
- Phone:+34 932721695
- Website: Dr. Carlos Javier Ruiz Lapuente's Website
- Dr. Ignasi Jurgens Mestre at the Institut Catalá de Retina:
- Retinal problems, Cataracts, Glaucoma..
- Address: Carrer de Ganduxer, 117, 08022 Barcelona
- Contact details:
- Phone:+34 932547922
- Emergency contact – 24 Hours:+34 934187227
- Email:icr@icrcat.com
- Website: Dr. Ignasi Jurgens Mestre's page on the Institut Catalá de Retina Website
- Dr. Alfredo Adán Civera at Barnaclinic+:
- Specialist in Uveitis, Macular degeneration, Retina.
- Address: C/ Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona
- Contact details:
- Phone:+34 932279391
- Email: barnaclinic@clinic.ub.es
- Website: Dr. Alfredo Adán Civera's page on Barnaclinic
- Dr. Jorge Castanera de Molina's Centre:
- Specialists in Laser surgery, Pediatric ophthalmology, Ocular-plastic surgery, Retina..
- Address: C/ Via Augusta 20-22, 2, 08006, Barcelona
- Contact details:
- Phone:+34 932173704
- Email:info@institutocastanera.com
- Website: Insitituo Castanera Oftalmologia Website
- Dr. Carlos Verges Roger's Centre:
- Cataracts, Glaucoma, Dry eyes, Retina, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Neuro-ophthalmology, Ocular-plastic surgery, Low Vision..
- Address: C/ Dalmases, 42 08017 Barcelona
- Contact details:
- Phone:+34 935513300
- Email:info@cverges.com
- Website: Dr. Carlos Verges Roger's Centre Website
These ophthalmologists are located in the areas of Gràcia and Sant-Gervasi, we have a list of apartments in the area that you can consult here.
