Who is an optometrist?
An optometrist is a healthcare professional who focuses on treating eye conditions. They examine, identify, and handle eye and vision-related diseases and disorders. Optometrists are pioneers in providing primary eye care and helping patients take the first step toward healthier bodies and eyes.
Optometrists are not medical doctors (MDs) or osteopaths (DOs). Optometrists attend optometry school rather than medical school and hold a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree.
The education of an optometrist
A postgraduate program in optometry typically lasts four years, depending on the institution and the curriculum. The study program includes:
- Basic and advanced eye examination techniques
- Client case history and case studies
- Courses in natural sciences (including optics) and pharmacology courses in natural sciences (including optics)
The final one to two years of the optometry program's curriculum also includes full-time clinical training as a resident.
What does an optometrist do?
Optometrists identify and treat eye conditions and vision issues. They conduct eye exams to find any persistent problems with your vision. The optometrist performs the following:
- Providing prescriptions for eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids
- Post-surgical eye care
- Medical treatments or minor surgeries for eye conditions
- Annual or routine eye exams
- Diagnosis of eye conditions
Optometrists prescribe certain medications for eye conditions. Some optometrists perform minor surgeries, depending on the state's laws. Removing foreign bodies, laser eye surgery and other surgical procedures are part of these operations.
What kinds of eye problems does an optometrist treat?
Among the common health and vision conditions that optometrists treat and diagnose are:
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Farsightedness (hyperopia)
- Astigmatism
- Color blindness
- Eye infections
- Double vision (diplopia)
- Presbyopia
- Eye inflammation
Optometrists can also identify the following eye diseases:
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Issues with your retina
- Glaucoma
Since optometrists do not perform surgeries, they can refer you to an ophthalmologist for an eye operation.
What distinguishes an ophthalmologist from an optometrist?
Ophthalmologists and optometrists are both experts in eye care. Optometrists need more training and authorization to operate on the eyes. If your optometrist finds a problem in your eyes that requires surgery, they may refer you to an ophthalmologist.
Ophthalmologists are graduates of medical school who are either Medical Doctors (MDs) or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). They are qualified to conduct eye surgery and to diagnose and treat any condition that might impair your vision or eyes.
What distinguishes an optometrist from an optician?
The role of an optometrist is to identify and treat problems in your eyes and provide routine eye examinations. Optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians work together.
Opticians' technical degree or certification is typically two years long. They provide you with glasses, contacts, or other tools for vision correction. They can also change your eyewear's frames, lenses, or adjustments.
When should I have my eyes checked?
Your optometrist can spot issues quickly if they regularly assess your eyes and vision. Generally, the frequency of eye exams depends on your age:
- Children: An eye care specialist should check your child's eyes during their first year of life and every one to two years after that.
- Adults 18-55: Once every one to two years
- Adults older than 55: Every year
If you use glasses or contacts or require any other type of vision correction, you might need your eyes checked more frequently than this.
Signs you need to consult an optometrist
If your vision changes, you should inform your healthcare provider. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, schedule regular eye exams so your doctor can adjust your prescription as often as necessary.
You can consult an optometrist near you if you experience any of the following symptoms in your eyes:
- New pain that doesn't go away in a few days
- Light sensitivity
- Blurry vision
- Double vision (diplopia)
- Noticeably worsening vision
- Redness
What is an eye exam, and how do you prepare for it?
An eye exam is a simple, non-invasive procedure where a professional checks your eyesight, vision quality, and overall eye health. It's important for everyone, not just those who wear glasses or contacts. Depending on your age, vision needs, and any underlying medical conditions, you might require more frequent eye exams. For example, conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure can affect your eye health, making regular exams even more crucial.
Not all eye exams are the same. For example, routine or general eye exams are like checkups for your eyes, where the doctor evaluates your vision and checks for any signs of potential issues. If you don't have eye conditions but need corrective lenses, these routine exams will help ensure your prescription is up-to-date. Follow-up exams are more specific and happen after an eye injury, surgery, or as a part of managing chronic conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. Lastly, medical or emergency eye exams happen when an urgent problem like sudden vision loss, eye pain, or injury requires immediate attention.
Preparing for an eye exam is straightforward. While routine or follow-up exams don't need much, you must bring a list of medications, vitamins, or supplements you take, as they can impact your eye health. Bring your current glasses, contact lenses, and past prescriptions. These details help your eye care specialist understand your vision needs better and offer the best recommendations during your exam. Overall, staying proactive with regular eye exams is essential to maintaining long-term eye health and preventing issues before they worsen.
What to expect at the optometrist
An optometrist will first ask you about your medical history and any current vision problems. In addition to checking your vision, the optometrist will also check the health of your eyes.
Here are some of the common tests that optometrists conduct to check the state of your vision:
- Eye muscle movement test: In this assessment, the person follows a moving target, such as a fingertip or pen, as it moves in different directions to determine eye alignment.
- Pupil reactions: The black centers of your eyes, or the pupils, constantly adjust to various light levels. During the eye examination, the doctor examines the whites, their position, and how your pupils change.
- Slit lamp exam: To see the cornea, iris, lens, and the back of your eyes, the optometrist uses a device that illuminates and enlarges the front of your eye.
- Retinal exam: An ophthalmoscope allows the doctor to see the retina, blood vessels, optic nerve, and fluid in the back of your eyes on the inside. Additionally, an optometrist will check your peripheral vision, measure the thickness of your corneas, and check the fluid pressure in your eyes for any indications of glaucoma.
- Cover test: Your eyes' ability to work together depends on this. Your optometrist will cover and uncover each eye while you focus on a tiny target placed at a certain distance to watch how your eyes move.
- Visual acuity/refraction test: This test entails reading from the most prominent letters at the top of an eye chart to the row at the bottom while covering one eye.
Depending on how you do on these tests, you will need corrective lenses. If so, you will undergo a refraction test, which enables your optometrist to adjust your prescription by switching between various lenses back and forth.
Which foods boost eye health?
Besides seeing an optometrist for a routine eye exam, research suggests that your diet and nutrition can also optimize vision health. Adding certain nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins to your diet can help prevent common eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and improve overall eye health. In fact, some nutritional deficiencies may play a role in developing eye diseases. Some vitamins and nutrients that can potentially reduce the risk of eye disease include:
- Lutein and zeaxanthin: These nutrients are antioxidants typically found in pigments of green leafy vegetables. They generally occur in foods together and are found in spinach, kale, broccoli, collard greens, peas, turnip greens, and parsley. Eggs are also considered a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin. Functionally, these nutrients play a central role in protecting the eyes from blue light, lowering the risk of cataracts, and decreasing the possibility of developing chronic eye diseases.
- Essential fatty acids: Fatty acids like omega-3 fatty acids are found in the retina and promote proper visual development, tear function, and retinal function. They may also help to prevent dry eyes. A study conducted on middle-aged adults with diabetes found that taking 500 mg of omega-3s reduced the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Cold water fish like tuna, sardines, salmon, halibut, and trout have many omega-3 fatty acids. Vegetarian food sources include flaxseeds and walnuts.
- Vitamin A: Generally found in animal products such as liver, eggs, and dairy products, vitamin A can help to maintain photoreceptors (cells that respond to light) in the eyes. A vitamin A deficit in the body can lead to night blindness or dry eyes. Beta carotene found in kale and carrots also converts into vitamin A.
- Vitamin C: This vitamin helps to repair and grow new tissues. The Age-Related Eye Diseases Study (AREDS) suggests that vitamin C, which is high in antioxidants, lowers the risk of cataracts. Combined with other nutrients, it can also slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Grapefruits, strawberries, brussels sprouts, red peppers, and oranges contain high levels of vitamin C.
Find the right optometrist near you in Laurel, Maryland
It is crucial to protect sight because it is one of the most vital senses that we depend on to interact with the world. Regular eye care is the best way to stop bothersome symptoms from becoming severe issues that can worsen eye health. Book an appointment with Zocdoc if you experience any eye issues.
Zocdoc assists in choosing knowledgeable medical professionals. You can connect with highly skilled specialists in Laurel, Maryland, through Zocdoc, who can deliver first-rate care.
You can create a free Zocdoc account by registering and typing in the desired time, place, insurance provider, health issue, or specialty. The Insurance Detector on Zocdoc can assist you if you need to clarify your insurance information. If your insurance plan isn't on Zocdoc, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card (this option is not available for vision or dental insurance). Zocdoc will scan the card and identify your likely plan. If you encounter any issues uploading the image, contact our service team for assistance. For more insurance-related questions, you can visit Zocdoc's patient help center. You can refine your search by utilizing advanced criteria like the doctor's gender, hospital affiliation, spoken languages, and patient care availability from the list of optometrists.
Further, you can also find their brief bio, educational background, specialties, location, board certifications, and other information on their profile page. Schedule a consultation with a local optometrist near you who accepts your insurance immediately.
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Vision health statistics in Maryland and the U.S.
In May 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Maryland had 750 optometrists, and the United States had 41,390.
According to figures from the American Foundation for the Blind, about 111,669 Maryland residents reported vision issues in 2019, a decrease from the prevalence rate in 2018. Women (61,544) had a higher prevalence than men (50,125). As per the same data set, the highest number of adults, at 38,738, who reported having trouble seeing were in the 35-64 age
range in the state
Similarly, 2022 figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 12 million Americans over 40 experience vision impairment. Furthermore, according to the CDC, in the U.S., a diagnosed eye or vision condition affects about 6.8% of children under 18. Children under 18 make up nearly 3% of those who are blind or visually impaired, which is defined as having vision problems despite using glasses or contact lenses. In the past year, only half of the 93 million American adults at high risk of severe vision loss have consulted an eye doctor.
Sources
WebMD
Cleveland Clinic[1]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
American Foundation for the Blind
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Healthline
American Optometric Association
American Academy of Ophthalmology[1]
American Academy of Ophthalmology[2]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
