• What's an Optometrist?
• Who should see an Optometrist?
• What are the educational requirements for Optometrists?
• When should children see an optometrist?
• Can I improve my athletic performance by seeing an optometrist?

What's an Optometrist?

Optometrists are independent, primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions.

As eye care practitioners, optometrists are skilled in the co-management of eye health and vision care. They examine the structures of the eye to detect and diagnose:

• Vision conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia
• Binocular vision conditions such as convergence insufficiency, whichcan cause eye discomfort and difficulty reading
  
• Eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disorders
  
• Systemic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes
  

Optometrists prescribe and/or provide eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids and vision therapy. They prescribe medications to treat eye diseases and perform certain surgical procedures. Optometrists also do testing to determine the patient's ability to focus and coordinate the eye, judge depth perception, and see colors accurately.

Who should see an Optometrist?

Almost everyone can start with their local optometrist. By far the most common problems are optical in nature, and your local optometrist can readily help you find a solution. He/she is also trained to diagnose all eye and vision conditions. If your condition needs a medical or surgical consultation,a referral will be made to the appropriate medical specialist.

What are the educational requirements for optometrists?

An optometrist must complete pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Some optometrists also complete a residency. Doctors of optometry complete rigorous oral, written and practical examinations in order to obtain national and state licensure, including national certification in the treatment and management of ocular disease. They also must pursue continuing education as a requirement for license renewal.

The curriculum at the 17 schools and colleges of optometry in the United States includes classroom and clinical training in ocular disease; general and ocular human anatomy; general pharmacology; general pathology; physical and physiological optics; sensory and perceptual psychology; biochemistry; and all phases of functional vision care. There are also accredited residency programs in such areas as contact lenses; family practice; low vision and rehabilitative optometry; binocular vision; hospital based care; geriatrics; and pediatrics.

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