>>>>>Is optometrist norsk? Neat.
>>>>
>>>>No, in Norwegian (norsk) it's optiker.
>>>
>>>So where does it come from?
>>
>>See http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos073.htm.
>>
>>An optometrist is an "eye doctor" which is a registered title, meaning that you are not allowed to call yourself an optometrist unless you have the necessary education. However, I realize that the correct translation for "optiker" is optician, a title you can claim without any formal education, as far as I know. Personally I prefer to go to an optometrist.
>
>So the german Optiker should translate to optometrist. False friend. (Hey, Drag, do you listen?)
>
>Agnes

As far as I know, an Optiker is an optician. An optician usually works in a shop where they sell glasses. An optometrist usually works in a office with only a nurse, just like a general doctor, an Artz.

From Wikipedia: An optician is an eye care professional who provides corrective lenses based on a refraction prescription supplied by a ophthalmologist or optometrist. The lenses may be contact lenses, spectacles or rarely as a monocle.