- Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine that looks at the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the eyes and eyesight. An ophthalmologist is a surgeon who specializes in treating eyes.
- An optometrist is not a medical doctor and can only diagnose, treat, and manage vision-related ailments of the eye.
- An ophthalmologist can prescribe medication for eye diseases, an optometrist cannot.
- If you have an ophthalmologist or an optometrist in your life and you would like to show them gratitude or just cheer them on for doing what they do, then read this article to find out what gifts are suitable for people in the Optometry industry.
- When choosing gifts for optometrists and ophthalmologists, remember to be thoughtful and incorporate things about them in the gift.
What is the Difference Between an Ophthalmologist and an Optometrist?
An Ophthalmologist and an Optometrist are similar in that they both treat or specialize in treating the eyes. However, an Ophthalmologist has more advanced training and can therefore diagnose and treat an extensive number of eye diseases than an Optometrist. An Optometrist is not a surgeon and may not even be a medical doctor, although they do need a degree and they undergo four years of training at an optometry school. An optometrist is a person you go to when you need eyeglasses and general management of vision changes.
Despite the fundamental and technical differences in their titles and job descriptions, both optometrists and ophthalmologists are important especially if you have eye problems; from something as simple as needing glasses or contacts to correct your vision, to having eye surgery or needing medication for more serious conditions such as glaucoma.
Optometrists and Ophthalmologists are among the group of people who work the hardest and the longest in American white-collar jobs whose average is 34.4 hours a week. Ophthalmologists work 47 hours a week and optometrists put in 40 hours weekly.
Choosing a gift for a friend or family member in optometry could be quite tasking especially when you are trying to make the gift special and well thought out. Remember that a gift has to embody an aspect of the person you are planning on giving it to and in this list, we will give you optometry gift ideas that are easy to personalize and come across as thoughtful to whomever you are gifting.
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Quick Overview: Gifts for Ophthalmologists and Optometrists
OPTOMETRY GIFT IDEAS
1. ANATOMICAL EYE MODEL:
This will make a great desk gift for your ophthalmologist boss, or that friend/cousin who is in Optometry school. It is a learning tool just as much as it functions as a decorative item.
Pros.
- Lightweight
- Anatomically correct
- Well built
- Sturdy
- Quality material
Cons.
- Does not come with instructions on how to assemble the model
This eye model is made from PVC which makes it high strength and resistant to corrosion. The model also has labeled diagrams for the anatomy of the eye and this, therefore, makes it a great gift for Ophthalmology students.
2. VINTAGE OPTOMETRY POSTER:
This would make a perfect ophthalmologist gift for decoration purposes. It can be hung on office walls and double as both art and an educational tool.
Pros.
- Easy to frame
- High-quality images
Cons.
- Does not come in a frame
These vintage prints capture the evolution of innovation which led to ophthalmology becoming the acclaimed medical science it is today. They are fun conversation starters and a great gift for history buffs and vintage enthusiasts alike.
3. WOODEN EYEGLASS HOLDER:
A funny and quirky gift for your eye doctor who also wears glasses. It can be kept by the bedside for easy access at night when going to sleep or in the kitchen for easy access when cooking.
Pros.
- Lightweight
- Well-balanced
- Sturdy
- Good quality wood
Cons.
- The wood isn’t quite as polished and as glossy as the pictures
This glass holder is handmade from Indian wood and it is environmentally friendly.
4. OPTOMETRIST T-SHIRT:
This is light-headed humor about optometry and is the perfect gift for optometry graduates.
Pros.
- Machine-wash safe
- Lightweight
- Great material
- Solid colors
Cons.
- You may need to pick a size larger than normal
This T-shirt is made from cotton and polyester and comes in five different colors to choose from.
5. EYE CHART SOCKS:
These are a perfect gift to your eye doctor friend or family member for Christmas. The socks are warm and have a gag joke on them about optometry.
Pros.
- Machine-wash safe
- Good quality
- Soft
- Unisex
Cons.
- Some customers complained about getting different packages than what they ordered. This was sorted out by the seller but it was an inconvenience nonetheless.
This pair of socks is made of fibers, cotton, and spandex.
6. WORLD’S BEST OPTOMETRIST MUG CUP:
This is a perfect gift for an optometrist you admire and respect.
Pros.
- High quality
- Ceramic
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
Cons.
- The inscription might fade after a few uses
This ceramic mug cup holds 11 ounces of liquid and keeps hot beverages hot for longer periods.
7. BUSINESS CARD HOLDER:
Great gift for professional optometrists and ophthalmologists to easily access their business cards whenever needed.
Pros.
- Great material
- Good quality
- Classy
- Easy to open
- Magnetic closure
- Portable
- Durable
Cons.
- Some customers complained about delayed deliveries which are a high inconvenience especially if you are purchasing it as a gift for a specific occasion. We suggest that you buy your gift weeks in advance of the special occasion to avoid this problem.
This business card holder is made from faux leather and can fit up to 15 business cards. It comes in a variety of colors to choose from.
8. PERSONALIZED TUMBLER:
With this gift, you can get as creative as you would like. Insert a personalized message or image on a tumbler according to the likes and hobbies of your optometrist or ophthalmologist family member or friend. And the best part is you get to design whatever to insert inside the tumbler yourself!
Pros.
- Easy to design
- The website comes with instructions that are easy to follow
- Easy to assemble
- Good quality tumbler
- Sturdy
- Easy to clean
Cons.
- Fragile
- Some customers found the process of designing and printing out their own personal messages and pictures on the website time consuming
This tumbler holds up to 12 ounces of liquid and it is made from stainless steel.
9. TABLE FOUNTAIN:
A great gift for an ophthalmologist’s office. Water fountains are beautiful and give character to a room. Aside from that, they also have a calming effect through visual and auditory senses.
Pros.
- Easy to follow instructions
- Beautiful design
- Quiet pump
- Sturdy
- Adjustable
- Beautiful rocks
Cons.
- It is made from cheap plastic material
This table fountain has 3 leveled tiers and LED lights that add to the ambiance of the fountain. It also has an automatic pump that circulates water and keeps the water clean.
10. OPTOMETRY PHONE CASE:
A perfect gift for an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or optometry graduate. You can customize the engravings on this case so you make it special for whoever you are giving it to.
Pros.
- Unique
- Beautiful design
- Permanent engravings
Cons.
- It only works on certain types of phones and not all. We recommend you check what phone the recipient of your gift has before you make this purchase.
This phone case is made from natural wood and soft flexible plastic. It comes in two colors; Bamboo and Cherry wood.
11. OPTOMETRY THROW PILLOWS:
These are a great gift for the office or home of an optometrist. They are stylish and modern and will add character to any room they are put in. truly a great decorative gift.
Pros.
- Durable
- Vintage style
- Invisible zipper
- Hypoallergenic
- Good quality material
Cons.
- They do not come with pillows or stuffing, just the cover. We suggest that you buy your pillows separately to complete the gift.
These throw pillow covers are made from light linen and come in three different sizes. They have an invisible zip which brings an elegant finish to these stylish covers. They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor decorations.
12. EYEGLASS NECKLACE:
This is a perfect gift for a female ophthalmologist (or any other ophthalmologist who is comfortable wearing neck jewelry). It is stylish and simple which means it can go with any outfit without over or underwhelming the outfit.
Pros.
- Beautiful design
- Long-lasting
- The product looks as advertised
- Long chain
Cons.
- Some customers did not like the length of the chain and the fact that it cannot be adjusted to fit their desired length.
This pendant is made from Brass and it also works as a glasses holder so it is a double gift for people who also wear glasses and are ophthalmologists!
13. OPTOMETRIST KEYCHAIN:
This makes a great gift for optometry graduates. It is fun, whimsical, and it has an inspirational double entendre quote; just the thing someone going off into the world needs.
Pros.
- Beautiful
- Sturdy
- Works as intended
Cons.
- It has small charms which might be a choking hazard around children.
This keychain is silver coated and has cute adorable charms that give the keychain some pizzazz.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How are opticians different from optometrists and ophthalmologists?
An optician is different from an optometrist and an ophthalmologist in that an optician only has a diploma in optometry. Their job entails providing prescriptions given to you by an optometrist, repairing, providing, or adjusting your glasses and contact lenses. They do not prescribe eyewear or eye medication, and neither do they perform eye surgery or diagnose eye/sight problems.
How frequently do I need to get my eyes checked?
The recommended time to have your eyes tested is once every two years. This is because most of the problems with eyes do not have symptoms and can therefore be very hard to miss if you don’t get regular checkups. There is a popular phrase amongst people who wear glasses “I didn’t know I needed glasses until I was prescribed a pair” which is true because it is hard to tell that your vision is impaired when you are used to seeing the world with your impairment. The frequently you get checked up, the more chance you have of maintaining good eyesight and also catching any other eye diseases you might have before they have progressed and it’s too late for treatment.
CONCLUSION
Whenever you are buying a gift for someone in the optometry industry, remember to personalize the gift to show them that you truly care about them as a person. Buying gifts that are related to people’s professions is a great way of acknowledging how hard they work and shows how much you appreciate them.
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