Which Eye Specialist Does What? A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Eye Professionals

When your child struggles to read, loses their place on the page, or seems clumsy and distracted, one of the first questions parents often ask is: “Should we get their eyes checked?”

That’s a great place to start—but with so many eye specialists out there (optometrists, ophthalmologists, orthoptists, behavioural optometrists), it can get confusing fast. Urgent need for eye specialists explained!

Each of these professionals plays a different — yet equally important — role in helping children see, move, and learn effectively.

To help you make sense of it all, we’ve drawn on insights from Krish Zlotin, Orthoptist and Founder of The Seeing Brain — a leading Australian practice focused on functional vision and how the brain processes what the eyes see.

Here’s a straightforward guide to who’s who in the world of eye care — and when to see each specialist.

The Optometrist: The Everyday Eye Expert

Qualification: University degree in Optometry
Primary role: General eye exams, prescribing glasses or contact lenses

Optometrists are your go-to professionals for everyday eye care. They test for vision clarity, check whether your child needs glasses, and monitor overall eye health.

If your child is over four years old, it’s a good idea to book a general vision check with an optometrist — especially if they:

• Squint, tilt their head, or hold books very close
• Complain about headaches or tired eyes
• Struggle to concentrate on near tasks like reading or writing

Think of the optometrist as your first stop — they make sure the eyes themselves are working correctly and the world looks clear and sharp.

 The Behavioural Optometrist: Looking Beyond the Eyes

Qualification: Optometrist with additional training in behavioural optometry
Primary role: Assesses how the eyes and brain work together

A behavioural optometrist looks at vision as part of the whole child — connecting what the eyes see to how the brain understands it. They go beyond checking eyesight alone to explore eye teaming, tracking, and focusing — skills that directly impact reading, writing, and attention.

They may prescribe vision therapy or eye exercises to improve visual coordination and concentration.

Consider seeing a behavioural optometrist if your child:

• Loses their place while reading or skips lines
• Struggles with handwriting or copying from the board
• Gets tired easily with schoolwork or avoids visual tasks

In short, a behavioural optometrist helps train the “eye-brain team” to work in sync for learning and everyday life.

The Ophthalmologist: The Medical Eye Specialist

Qualification: Medical doctor with specialist training in ophthalmology
Primary role: Diagnoses and treats all eye diseases; performs surgeries

An ophthalmologist is the medical specialist for the eyes. They handle everything from diagnosing complex eye diseases to performing surgeries like correcting squints (strabismus) or treating lazy eye (amblyopia).

Children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, genetic syndromes, or visual developmental delays often benefit from an ophthalmologist’s assessment, particularly when there may be a medical or neurological component.

You usually need a referral from your GP to see an ophthalmologist.

If your child needs surgery, medical treatment, or a comprehensive eye disease check, this is the expert to see.

The Orthoptist: The Eye Movement and Vision Function Specialist

Qualification: University degree in Orthoptics (Allied Health)
Primary role: Assesses and manages how the eyes move and work together

Orthoptists are often the unsung heroes of eye care! They specialise in eye movement, coordination, and functional vision — how children use the vision they have in everyday life.

As Krish Zlotin from The Seeing Brain explains, orthoptists play a vital role in helping children with complex visual behaviours or neurological conditions such as CVI (Cortical Visual Impairment). Unlike traditional vision tests, orthoptic assessments explore how the brain processes visual information, providing parents with practical insights and strategies to support development at home and at school.

An orthoptist can:

• Assess lazy eye, squints, and tracking issues
• Teach children to use their existing vision more effectively
• Develop individualised visual programs and home/school strategies
• Conduct functional vision assessments for children with complex needs

Suppose your child has already seen an optometrist or ophthalmologist but still shows unusual visual behaviours (like looking “past” objects, missing steps, or struggling with eye-hand coordination). In that case, an orthoptist is the next step.

How These Professionals Work Together

Vision isn’t just about the eyes — it’s a complex collaboration between the eyes, the brain, and the body.
That’s why the best outcomes often come from teamwork between professionals:

• Optometrists identify vision clarity and prescribe lenses
• Behavioural optometrists improve how the eyes and brain work together
• Ophthalmologists manage medical and surgical conditions
• Orthoptists assess and train functional vision and movement

As Krish Zlotin emphasises, “When we understand how the brain interprets what the eyes see, we can support children more effectively — helping them make sense of their world and learn with confidence.”

CoordiKids and Vision: The Brain-Body Connection

At CoordiKids, we share that same philosophy.
Vision and movement are deeply connected — and a child who struggles to catch a ball or follow words on a page may not have a simple “eye problem.” Their brain and body might need more practice working together.

Our online sensory-motor courses complement professional care beautifully — strengthening body-brain pathways that support visual processing, attention, and coordination.

Explore our CoordiKids Home Courses — available as Part 1, 2, and 3, or as a complete bundle — to start building stronger connections today. Or try our CoordiKids Byte: Eye Control – Sharpen Your Super Vision!!

When it comes to your child’s vision, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Each specialist plays a unique role — and together, they help children see clearly, move confidently, and learn successfully.

So, the next time your child squints at a book or seems to miss what’s right in front of them, remember:
Sometimes, helping them see the world better starts with understanding how the brain and the eyes work together.

CoordiKids proudly supports Krish Zlotin, Orthoptist and Founder of The Seeing Brain,
As we work together to build stronger connections between vision, movement, and the brain.