Who is an optometrist?
Optometrists are healthcare providers who offer primary vision care, including diagnosing and treating certain eye diseases, performing eye tests, prescribing contact lenses and spectacles, and finding abnormalities in the vision or eye structure. They can test for eye conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and diabetic retinopathy.
Optometrists can perform various tests, but they generally undertake the visual acuity or refraction test, where a patient covers one eye and reads a Snellen chart at 20 feet (6 meters). This chart contains different sizes of letters, from top to bottom. Some charts are video monitors that have images as well. Besides a chart reading test, they can conduct an eye muscle movement test, pupil reaction test, and retinal exam (which checks the fluid pressure in your eyes for any signs of glaucoma).
Educational qualifications of an optometrist
A bachelor's degree is a prerequisite for anyone pursuing a career as an optometrist. They must study pre-med subjects for four years in college, then complete four years of optometry school to obtain a Doctor of Optometry degree.
Optometry aspirants must also take up a one-year clinical residency to help them gain expertise in low vision rehabilitation, ocular diseases, and other areas. All states have an optometry board for licensing, which falls under the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). Some optometrists may also choose additional specialization and clinical training to address other eye-related issues.
How is an optometrist different from an ophthalmologist and an optician?
All three professionals — optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians, focus on vision care. However, each differs in the extent of care provided and educational background.
Ophthalmologists are eye doctors or physicians who complete 12 to 13 years of in-depth clinical training and are licensed to provide comprehensive eye care. They can prescribe medications, perform surgeries, and test for eye diseases. Unlike optometrists and opticians, they can treat a broader range of eye conditions.
On the contrary, optometrists possess a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree, allowing them to provide only primary eye care. You may find that ophthalmologists and optometrists often work in the same settings (hospitals or private clinics). Opticians are technicians. They design and fit frames, corrective eyeglasses, and contact lenses. Ophthalmologists and optometrists write prescriptions that opticians use to create the lenses needed to correct eyesight. Opticians are not medical doctors and cannot treat eye diseases.
Scope of practice of optometrists in different states
Due to state and federal laws, optometrists cannot provide the full range of services in every state in the US. Their scope of practice usually depends on their level of education, practical experience, and proven competency. However, they may have to pass additional training or specific tests to broaden their services.
The scope of practice for optometry varies in each state. The following pointers would help you understand it better:
- Oral medication: Although all optometrists now have the authority to prescribe oral medications, the type of medication differs across states. They can freely prescribe specific antiviral and antibiotic medications in all states. However, only a few optometrists can prescribe oral steroids.
- Glaucoma treatment: As of 2021, all optometrists can freely treat glaucoma in all states. It includes carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, prostaglandins, and beta blockers without the involvement of an ophthalmologist.
- Oral steroids: As mentioned earlier, only a few optometrists can prescribe oral steroids to help treat conditions like scleritis, uveitis, and macular edema. Some states that do not allow it are South Carolina, Minnesota, New York, Maryland, and Florida. Accordingly, optometrists practicing in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Iowa, and Georgia can prescribe oral steroids.
- Injections: Optometrists can use intradermal injections and EpiPens in California, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, and Colorado. However, optometrists from other states, such as Nebraska, Minnesota, Florida, Delaware, and Alabama, can only use injections (EpiPen) to treat anaphylaxis.
- Laser procedures (LPI, SLT, ALT, YAG capsulotomy): Optometrists have specific restrictions regarding the use of lasers to treat eye conditions. For example, optometrists can only perform YAG capsulotomy in Mississippi, but they cannot perform other laser procedures like LPI, SLT, ALT, and PRK. However, optometrists can perform all these procedures in states like Oklahoma or Alaska.
- Lumps and bumps surgery: Optometrists can perform minor excision surgeries only if they’re practicing in states like Wyoming, Alaska, Virginia, Washington, Colorado, and Kentucky.
What are the conditions treated by optometrists?
Optometrists can detect varied eye health problems. They may undertake care themselves or refer you to an ophthalmologist or a specialist if necessary.
Some conditions that an optometrist near you can diagnose and treat include:
- Chalazion - Bumps on the edge of an individual's eye
- Dry eye disease - An inflammation caused either in the cornea (the protective outer eye layer) or the conjunctiva (tissue lining)
- Glaucoma - A condition that hampers the optic nerve
- Ocular allergies - Allergies that affect the eyes
- Strabismus - Misalignment of the eyes
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a leading reason for blindness in people over 60, but timely treatment may be able to prevent it.
Typically, healthy eyes have fluid flowing in and out through a part called the drainage angle. It helps maintain stable pressure in the eye. If there is a disruption in this drainage, fluid builds up, causing pressure to rise and damage the optic nerve.
Glaucoma can affect vision and overall eye functioning and can be of many types, depending on its onset, causes, and other factors. These may include:
1. Open-angle glaucoma:
- It has a gradual onset.
- It is painless and causes no immediate vision changes.
- In such a case, regular eye exams are essential for those with sensitive optic nerves.
2. Angle-closure glaucoma:
- It is caused due to the iris blocking the drainage angle.
- It can lead to acute attacks, demanding urgent attention to prevent blindness.
- Its symptoms include sudden blurry vision, severe eye pain, headaches, and more.
3. Other types:
- Normal tension glaucoma: Damage without high eye pressure.
- Pigment dispersion syndrome: Pigment rubbing off the iris.
Effects of UV exposure on vision
Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is non-ionizing radiation emitted by the sun and artificial sources such as lasers, tanning beds, and fluorescent lights. It occurs in 3 forms — UVA, UVB, and UVC. While UVA and UVB can reach the earth's surface and affect one's health, UVA penetrates the skin deeper and is constant all year round. UVB radiation absorbs into the skin and turns into vitamin D; this is essential for maintaining bone health.
The eye absorbs 99% of the UV radiation that reaches its surface. Prolonged sunlight exposure can result in a spike in the risk of eye disorders. Exposure to such radiation can cause cataracts, macular degeneration, vision impairment, or blindness. UV rays can also cause photokeratitis or eye sunburn, indicated by redness, excessive tearing, and extreme sensitivity to light. UV radiation damages and ages all structures of the eyes, including eyelids, which can dry out, lose elasticity, and become wrinkled. High sun exposure during the day can cause corneal damage, form cancers on the conjunctiva, and invade the cornea, which in some cases may require the removal of the entire eye.
To protect yourself from UV damage, limit the time spent outdoors when the sun is the brightest, i.e., between 10 am and 4 pm. Ensure you buy sunglasses that block out 100% of the UVA and UVB radiation coming your way, and wear adequate sunscreen, even on a foggy day. Some professions, such as welding, can involve artificial light sources, which increase exposure to UV rays. In such cases, you must talk to an optometrist about the appropriate eye protection (glasses or lenses) to reduce your eye disease risk.
When should you see an optometrist?
You can see your optometrist for most of your routine eye care needs. You should see them for an annual eye check-up to optimize your eyesight and maintain overall health. Many eye conditions develop without symptoms, so an eye exam is vital for monitoring your eyes.
Even with perfect vision, many other factors can affect visual and ocular health. If you experience recurring headaches, weariness, or eye pain, you should make an appointment with your nearest optometrist. Additionally, you should consult an eye specialist if you squint, have blurry vision, or experience other unusual vision problems.
Suppose you have had an eye injury or have a family history of a particular ailment. In that case, you may need to visit your doctor more frequently as these factors increase your risk of developing the same condition.
What should one expect during their first visit to an optometrist?
When you visit an optometrist near you for the first time, they will begin by asking about your medical and family history, symptoms, and any vision issues you may be experiencing. This is done to gain preliminary understanding before they can begin analyzing your eyesight to ascertain whether it is in good condition.
An optometrist can do so by performing various tests based on your condition and health goals. These may include:
- Pupil reaction tests: In such a test, the optometrist observes how your pupils adjust to light and examines the whites of your eyes and the positions your eyelids take.
- Eye muscle movement test: In this test, you will be made to track a target, like a pen, to assess your eye alignment and movement.
- Cover test: This test checks how well your eyes collaborate. You will be made to focus on a target while the optometrist covers and uncovers each eye to observe their movement.
- Visual acuity/refraction test: In this assessment, an eye will be covered. You will then be made to read lines on a chart to determine if you need corrective lenses. If yes, a refraction test will be used to fine-tune your prescription, and you will be given vision-corrective equipment.
- Retinal exam (ophthalmoscopy): An ophthalmoscope assesses the back of your eyes, including the retina, blood vessels, optic nerves, and eye fluids.
- Slit lamp exam: In this test, a lit device magnifies the front of your eye, revealing the cornea, iris, lens, and the back of your eyes.
Apart from these standard tests, your optometrist may also inspect fluid pressure for signs of glaucoma, measure the corneal thickness, and assess peripheral vision.
For such visits, it is always advisable to go prepared. Thus, before you leave your optometrist's clinic, you must wear your glasses or contact lenses. You must also carry sunglasses as some tests require eye dilation, making it uncomfortable to view bright lights for a while.
Finding quality optometrists near you in Astoria, New York
Eye health tends to weaken over time with age. Therefore, it is crucial for people of all ages, especially those nearing 40, to go for routine eye health check-ups. Frequent eye exams help in the early detection of eye diseases and prevent severe vision impairment or blindness. Moreover, those with visually demanding jobs and a family history of eye diseases stand at a higher risk of vision impairment and should opt for routine eye check-ups.
Finding an experienced optometrist in your area can be difficult and time-consuming. This is why Zocdoc is the best place to find healthcare professionals nearby without the trouble of waiting long hours at a clinic facility or hospital.
To book an in-person or online consultation, visit the Zocdoc website and enter your condition or symptoms, location, preferred date, and insurance plan. You can also update your Zocdoc account's insurance information to get further-refined results of providers within your insurance network. Alternatively, consider uploading a picture of your health plan card on the Zocdoc app to get filtered results. Feel free to browse Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related FAQs.
Accordingly, Zocdoc will direct you to a list of top-rated optometrists in Astoria. Filter and sort these search results by the time of day, gender, hospital affiliation, distance, spoken languages, and whether a provider treats children. You can also choose your insurance carrier and plan from the drop-down menu to view only in-network providers.
To help you choose the best optometrist for yourself or your family, Zocdoc provides each practitioner's medical background, including their training, certifications, awards, and licenses. You can also choose a practitioner based on verified reviews and past patient ratings. Schedule an appointment on the same day, in advance, during post-work hours (5 pm), or even on the weekends, depending on the practitioner's availability.
Booking appointments with optometrists near you on Zocdoc is fast, free, and secure!
Statistics for optometrists, vision loss, and eye diseases in New York
As of May 2023, New York employs approximately 2,010 optometrists, per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The New York-Newark-Jersey City (NY-NJ-PA) metropolitan area has one of the country's highest employment levels (2,370) of optometrists.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that over 395,000 people in New York report difficulty seeing even with glasses. Nearly 40% of New Yorkers aged 65 and above with severe vision problems reported a decreased vision in the previous year. Individuals with visual impairment were also more likely to have associated conditions such as mobility issues (30%), arthritis (36%), and diabetes (17%) compared to those who did not have any vision problems.
According to data collated by the Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS) in 2017, an estimated 19,849,399 New Yorkers suffered from vision loss or complete blindness. Out of these, over 2.4 million cases belong to Queens County. Vision loss and blindness were reported to be higher in females (10,202,861 cases) than in males (9,646,538 cases).
Of all Medicare claims made by New Yorkers in 2018, nearly 1.5% were for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), 34.8% for cataracts, 3.6% for diabetic eye diseases, and 8% for diagnosed disorders of refraction and accommodation. Data compiled by the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry for New York indicates that, in 2018, approximately 23% of people suffered from glaucoma, 10.4% had retinal disorders, and over 2% were diagnosed with strabismus, amblyopia, and conditions of the optic nerve and visual pathways.
On the other hand, 15.4% had their annual eye exam performed by an optometrist or optician. Roughly 27% of New Yorkers claimed eye or vision diagnostic tests.
Sources
Healthline
OpticianEDU.org
Verywell Health
WebMD
Mount Sinai Health System
John Hopkins Medicine
American Optometric Association
American Academy of Ophthalmology[1]
American Academy of Ophthalmology[2]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[4]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[5]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[6]
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