Optometrists Association Australia is vitally interested in stimulating the growth and development of the profession. Optometrists have a responsibility to attend formal continuing education seminars after they have finished their university courses. This is essential to keep in touch with new developments in the profession. Medical practitioners who specialise in the treatment of eye disease and surgery are known as ophthalmologists. They may also be called eye specialists, eye surgeons, eye doctors or oculists.
Optometrists refer patients needing surgery or treatment of eye disease to ophthalmologists.
Spectacles are also made up by optical dispensers, sometimes known as spectacle makers. Optical dispensers complete a technical course which enables them to make up spectacles to an optometrist's or ophthalmologist's prescription. They are not permitted to examine eyes or to write the prescriptions.