The short answer
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specialises in eyes, registered with the MDCN, and is the person who diagnoses eye disease, prescribes treatment and operates. An optometrist tests sight, prescribes glasses and contact lenses and screens for eye disease, and refers on when something needs a doctor. For glasses, start with an optometrist; for pain, sudden change, a red eye, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic eye checks or a child's squint, see an ophthalmologist.
See eye doctors in KadunaMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Three different jobs
People in Kaduna use the words eye doctor, optician and eye specialist for anyone with an eye chart, but the training is different.
- Ophthalmologist: a medical doctor with specialist training in eye disease and eye surgery. Registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN)
- Optometrist: trained to examine the eyes, test vision, prescribe glasses and lenses, and spot signs of disease. Regulated by their own professional board, not the MDCN
- Optician or dispensing optician: makes up and fits the glasses an optometrist or doctor has prescribed
Which one do you need?
If you simply cannot read small print or see the board clearly, an optometrist is the right first stop. If any of the following apply, see an ophthalmologist:
- Sudden loss of vision, flashes, new floaters or a curtain over your sight: the same day
- A painful red eye, or an injury to the eye
- Cloudy or dim vision that new glasses do not fix
- Diabetes or high blood pressure, for a check of the back of the eye
- A family history of glaucoma
- A child whose eyes do not look in the same direction
- A growth on the white of the eye that is spreading towards the centre
How to check an eye doctor
Kaduna has a long tradition of eye care and eye care training, and there are skilled people in the city. There are also roadside sellers and chemists who sell eye drops without an examination. Steroid drops bought this way can raise the eye pressure and cause glaucoma or cataract without you noticing. Do not use drops a doctor has not prescribed for you.
On Mezo, every doctor's MDCN registration is checked before they can be booked. Ask any eye doctor what their training is and whether they will be the one treating you.
Where to be seen in Kaduna on Mezo
Request an eye appointment in Kaduna through Mezo. The care team arranges it with a consultant ophthalmologist and confirms where and when, or you can see an eye doctor by video first.
Common questions
Is an optometrist a doctor?
An optometrist is a trained eye health professional, often with a doctor of optometry degree, but not a medical doctor. They cannot perform eye surgery. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor.
Can I see an eye doctor by video first?
Yes. A video consultation is useful for deciding what you need, reviewing results and planning surgery. Most eye problems then need an in-person examination, because the doctor has to look inside the eye.
Do I need a referral to see an ophthalmologist on Mezo?
No. You can book an ophthalmologist directly. If you have an HMO, eligible plans can cover the visit and the Mezo desk files the prior authorisation.
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Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- What Is an Ophthalmologist vs Optometrist?. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Patient information.
- Visiting an optician. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 23 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.