Everything You Want to Know About an Optometrist
An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry (ODs), and he is a primary health care professional for eye care. These doctors examine, diagnose, treat eye diseases and disorders and associated visual systemic conditions. All optometrists are licensed to perform vision diagnosis and treatment and may prescribe glasses and contact lenses. He is trained to diagnose signs of vision disorder and treat them.
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Types of Optometrists
There are different types of Optometrists based on their speciality and career, Therapeutic Optometrist, and Optometric Glaucoma Specialist.
- Therapeutic Optometrist - treats eye diseases and injuries and may perform eye procedures and prescribe medicine.
- Optometric Glaucoma Specialist - licensed to treat glaucoma and prescribe oral prescription drugs.
Education and Licensing to become an Optometrist
It takes long years of hard work and dedication to become an Optometrist. The applicants complete their college degree before getting admission in a college of optometry. The curriculum for the college of optometry is a minimum of four years. Although the OD programs may vary with different states and countries, there are some common features. For example, the first- and second-year students take courses in basic health sciences, optics, and vision science. During these years, they get clinical experience in a simulation lab and with actual patients. They learn diagnostic techniques, take case histories of patients, and perform their examination, and discuss treatment services with them. Most of the time in the third year is spent in the classroom and in the clinic. Clinical training continues in the fourth year. Finally, the student gives the licensure exam based on clinical and written portions. The applicants must pass a national examination and a state law examination to get a license. He has to show his proficiency in subjects related to eye structures, eye diseases and treatment and management of disease along with clinical skills.
Role and Responsibility of Optometrists
Optometrists are trained to diagnose and treat eye refraction, visual acuity, muscle function, and any other procedures related to the condition of the eyes. His main responsibilities include:
- Examine, diagnose, and treat eye diseases, injuries, and disorders
- Counsel patients regarding various treatment options for their visual needs
- Identify related systemic conditions that can impact the visual system like high blood pressure and diabetes
- Provide vision therapy and rehabilitation
- Perform certain surgical procedures
- Assist patients with eyeglasses and prescribe medications
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An optometrist faces a challenging career where he needs to offer a varied array of eye care. His patients rely on him for their needs of glasses and contact lenses as well as treatment of eye diseases such as glaucoma and retinopathy. He provides pre- and post-operative care to patients who have undergone ophthalmologic surgery.
One should not confuse optometrists with ophthalmologists who perform eye surgery. Dispensing opticians can provide eyeglasses and contact lenses after a prescription given by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Currently, new technologies and advances in eye care have helped the profession to grow and expand in terms of scope and practice. Optometrists are aware of the new technologies and treatments and inform their patients so as to help them make a well-informed choice and the best possible treatment for their eye problems. Many new procedures, like correcting vision and diseases with the help of lasers, are getting common.
Optometrists work in different situations and conditions with different employers like retail optical settings, hospitals, and the military. They may even set up a private practice alone or in a group with other optometrists. Many go on to do further research at an academic institution, and some may even decide to become consultants to the ophthalmic industry, after gaining experience. Typically, Optometrists work 40 hours a week or even more depending on the needs.
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