Ten Frequently Asked Questions about Optometrists
Q. What is the difference between opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists?
A. An optician is an eye care professional who fits and adjust glasses and other optical products. Their training varies from on the job training to formal optician training at a college. Opticians can be accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation and awarded two year associate degrees in optometric training or ophthalmic dispensing. There are also one year programs.
Optometrists are doctors of optometry who examine, diagnose, and treat vision disorders and diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, disorders of the retina, and systemic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as farsightedness, nearsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. They test patients' ability to focus, coordinate the eyes, and judge depth. Optometrists prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, vision aids and medicines. They act as primary care providers and refer patients to specialists.
An ophthalmologist is a doctor of medicine, a physician whose specialty is medical and surgical eye care. An ophthalmologist has completed four or more years of pre-med, four or more years of medical school, an internship, and three or more years of specialized medical and surgical training and experience. An ophthalmologist is a specialist who can diagnose and treat all eye and visual systems. They are licensed by state boards.
Q. What do optometrists do during eye exams?
A. Optometrists will dilate your eyes so that they can see into them. Then they will perform a vision acuity test, confrontation vision field test, pupillary test, and retinoscopy, in order to evaluate your vision, range of sight, and reaction to light, and to examine your inner eye for signs of disease.
Q. Can optometrists give prescriptions if I need corrective lenses?
A. Yes, they can write prescriptions as well as treat vision disorders and diseases.
Q. How often should optometrists be seen?
A. If you have no specific eye problems, you should have an eye exam every two years. If you have corrective lenses you should have an eye exam every year. For specific problems, optometrists may ask to see you every six months.
Q. Can optometrists treat patients for glaucoma?
A. Yes. They specialize in treating and diagnosing eye disorders and diseases.
Q. Should optometrists be the choice for eye health care?
A. Optometrists provide eye health care for most eye patients. They do eye exams, prescribe corrective lenses and treatments for eye problems. However, for certian eye problems, an opthalmalogist may need to be seen.
Q. Can optometrists prescribe medication?
A. Yes. Optometrists prescribe medication to treat eye or vision problems.
Q. My child needs to have an eye exam. Can optometrists examine children's eyes?
A. Yes. And there are some optometrists who specialize in pediatric optometry.
Q, What other fields do some optometrists specialize in?
A.Geriatrics, sports vision, head trauma, ocular disease and special testing.
Q. Exactly what medical training do optometrists have to complete?
A. A Doctor of Optometry completes a four year program at an accredited school of optometry. Most have undergraduate degrees in the field of science.
Q. Are optometrists licensed?
A. Yes. And optometrists must pass a national board exam to be licensed.