Optometrist what do they do

This article will examine what optometrists can treat and the differences between optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians. Licensed by the state, optometrists can only perform procedures that fall within their scope of practice. The three scopes of practice are:. All optometrists provide general eye care, while some specialize in different areas.

Optometrists offer treatment for common eye complaints, such as dry eyes and eye infections. A 4-year program leads to the official title doctor of optometry.

Despite the title, however, optometrists do not need to go to medical school. Glaucoma refers to damage to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. It is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the U. An optometrist can diagnose glaucoma and devise a treatment plan. Cataracts occur when the lens in the eye develops cloudy patches. These can grow larger, seriously affecting vision and potentially causing blindness. Although an optometrist can diagnose cataracts and prescribe eyeglasses to help with symptoms, specialist surgery from an ophthalmologist may be necessary.

An optometrist will also provide preoperative and postoperative care. Most retinal disorders share similar symptoms, such as blurred vision or vision loss. These disorders include floaters , retinal tear or detachment , macular degeneration , diabetic retinopathy , and epiretinal membrane.

Optometrists can diagnose retinal disorders, and they may refer a person to an ophthalmologist if treatment is necessary. Also known as nearsightedness, myopia is a vision condition that makes focusing on distant objects difficult. Treatments include eyeglasses, contact lenses, corneal refractive therapy laser procedures, or surgery in extreme cases.

An ophthalmologist will usually perform laser or surgical procedures. Optometrists often check children for color blindness in routine assessments. Diagnosis is also straightforward as an adult.

There is currently no cure , but eyeglasses and contact lenses can help, as can various visual aids. Some systemic diseases have ocular manifestations. Optometrists can help detect diabetes , high blood pressure , thyroid cancers, and HIV. The job itself is varied, from conducting eye exams, evaluating vision, and assessing eye conditions to writing prescriptions, recommending further treatments, and providing preoperative and postoperative care.

An optometrist can also specialize in areas such as contact lenses, sports vision, education, and research. They do not have the necessary training to diagnose eyesight problems, and they cannot treat eye conditions. To become an ophthalmologist, a person needs to go to medical school. Ophthalmologists will have at least 8 years of medical school training.

Once they become an eye doctor, they are licensed to practice medicine and surgery. An ophthalmologist can offer the same medical services as an optometrist, including prescribing and fitting eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems. However, ophthalmologists can also:. Sometimes, ophthalmologists can also detect health problems that are not directly related to the eye but become apparent in a routine eye exam.

If this occurs, the ophthalmologist will recommend that the person consult their family doctor. Ophthalmologists are specialized medical doctors, but some ophthalmologists may choose a subspecialty. This involves continuing their education and training in a specific area of medical or surgical eye care. The cornea is the clear, protective outer layer of the eye. It acts as a lens to focus light entering the eyeball.

They may also perform surgeries such as refractive surgery and corneal transplantation. People who have trauma to the cornea or complicated contact lens fittings may also consult with a cornea specialist. The retina is the thin layer of tissue that lines the inner part of the back of the eyeball. Its role is to receive light and send visual signals to the brain. A retina specialist can diagnose and treat retinal eye conditions. This may involve surgically repairing torn or detached retinas.

Retina specialists can also treat conditions of the vitreous, which is the gel-like substance in the eyeball. Glaucoma specialists treat the eye condition glaucoma. This causes fluid to build up within the eye. The excess fluid puts pressure on the eye, causing damage to the optic nerve. Ophthalmologists who specialize in neurology are called neuro-ophthalmologists. This subspecialty deals with vision problems related to how the eye communicates with the brain, nerves, and muscles.

A pediatric ophthalmologist treats infants and children with childhood eye conditions and other eye issues. Plastic surgeons who specialize in ophthalmology can repair damage to the eyelids, bones, or other structures around the eye and tear drainage system. They may also administer injections to improve the look and function of facial structures around the eye.

Medically qualified, they mainly work in eye hospitals and hospital eye departments. Orthoptists generally work with ophthalmologists in hospitals and in the community. They are concerned with eye problems relating to eye movements and the inability of the eyes to work together. Examples of these problems are squint strabismus , lazy eye amblyopia and double vision diplopia. Visit the British and Irish Orthoptic Society website to find out more.

You're here: Homepage Qualifying A career in optometry What is an optometrist? What is an optometrist? Share options Save page Share. Careers in optometry Learn about different career opportunities within optometry.