There are two types of eye doctors and which kind you see depends on your needs. Ophthalmologists perform medical and surgical treatments for eye conditions. Optometrists examine, diagnose and treat patients' eyes. “Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and treat,” Abugo said. “Both ophthalmologists and optometrists can prescribe and fit you for eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct vision problems. Being medical doctors, ophthalmologists are also specially trained to diagnose and treat eye diseases and perform eye surgery.” Opticians are technicians who fit eyeglasses, contact lenses and other vision-correcting devices.