What is an Optometrist?

Chances are, if you have some sort of vision issue, you’ll be sent to an optometrist to get some new glasses. It’s common knowledge that an optometrist is an eye doctor, but not everyone knows their full range of skills and services. You will be sent to an optometrist if you may need eye glasses, but you also may have to go for other reasons. Optometrists are doctors of optometry, but have not attended medical school, like an opthamologist. Despite not having the ‘MD’ after their names, optometrists are still highly skilled at what they do and will be able to take care of you if you require eyeglasses, or have another eye issue.

An optometrist is generally the person you’ll go see to have your initial eye exam when you’ve detected a vision problem. You may have problems seeing things up close, far away or all over the place, and an optometrist will be able to tell you what specific condition is causing the reduction in vision. Basic eye conditions that may affect your everyday vision include nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Once the optometrist diagnoses your problem, he will give you a prescription for glasses so you can correct it. An optometrist is also able to diagnose more serious eye problems such as glaucoma, conjunctivitis and macular degeneration. These conditions will jeopardize eyesight if not dealt with promptly, and are often looked after by an opthamologist or other specialist who deals primarily with the specific condition.

Prescribing and fitting glasses or contact lenses are the kinds of services an optometrist is best known for. Vision problems affect so many people from all walks of life, and prescribing the right pair of glasses is important to helping those people improve their vision and quality of life. The tests conducted by an optometrist in her office will pinpoint the nature of the condition and the power of the prescription that’s required.

Aside from the physical tests carried out in the office, your optometrist will ask you several questions about your vision and any problems you may be having. If you are already a patient and are in for a scheduled exam, you’ll be asked about any changes that may signify the need for new glasses and a stronger prescription. Some optometrists will also help to fit you with glasses frames that are best for the shape of your face.

One of the things that optometrists don’t do is perform eye surgeries. Eye surgery is more in the domain of an opthamologist than an optometrist. An optometrist can diagnose many of the conditions that require the surgery, but the schooling doesn’t include performing the surgeries themselves. Sometimes, optometrists and opthamologists will work in the same offices, and the optometrist will have a hand in pre or post-operative care for patients that need surgery. In this type of partnership, the optometrist will often treat the basic eye conditions and prescribe glasses, while the opthamologist handles the more serious issues and surgeries.

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