ophthalmologist
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ophthalmologist
A medical specialist who deals with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of eye diseases and vision problems.
Ich brauche eine neue Brille, deshalb habe ich einen Termin beim Augenarzt gemacht.
I need new glasses, so I made an appointment with the ophthalmologist.
The word is a simple and logical compound of 'Auge' (eye; plural 'Augen') and 'Arzt' (doctor). So it is literally a doctor for the eyes.
Viele Berufe mit Bildschirmarbeit erfordern regelmäßige Besuche beim Augenarzt.
Many jobs involving screen work require regular visits to the ophthalmologist.
To express movement, you use 'zum Augenarzt gehen' (to go to the ophthalmologist). To describe a place or an appointment, you say 'beim Augenarzt sein/sitzen' (to be/sit at the ophthalmologist's) or 'einen Termin beim Augenarzt haben' (to have an appointment with the ophthalmologist).
Ich muss morgen zum Augenarzt, um meine Sehstärke prüfen zu lassen.
I have to go to the ophthalmologist tomorrow to have my vision checked.
Common reasons for a visit are 'eine Brille brauchen' (to need glasses), 'die Sehstärke überprüfen lassen' (to have one's vision checked), or 'Augenschmerzen haben' (to have eye pain). The doctor can then, for example, 'eine Brille verschreiben' (prescribe glasses) or 'Augentropfen empfehlen' (recommend eye drops).
Der Augenarzt hat mir Augentropfen gegen die Trockenheit verschrieben.
The ophthalmologist prescribed me eye drops for the dryness.
optician
'Augenarzt' and 'Optiker' both have to do with vision and eyes, but they have different tasks. An 'Augenarzt' is a doctor. You go to one for eye diseases, pain, infections, or medical examinations. An 'Optiker' is a specialist, or also the shop, where you get, have fitted, or buy glasses and contact lenses. Learners can easily confuse the words because both can do eye tests. When it is about health and treatment, 'Augenarzt' is correct. When it is about glasses, lenses, or contact lenses, 'Optiker' fits.
Wegen der roten Augen ruft Tom beim Augenarzt an.
Because of his red eyes, Tom calls the ophthalmologist.
Nach der Arbeit holt Anna ihre neue Brille beim Optiker ab.
After work, Anna picks up her new glasses at the optician's.