Importance of eye-care
The gift of vision is waking up in the morning and opening your eyes to see and experience life around you, but you should take eye care seriously. According to the AOA American Eye-Q Survey, 92% of Americans understand the importance of eye health and other bodily functions and know well that it goes beyond the mere ability to see. However, even after having that knowledge, around 45% of Americans only visit an eye health specialist once a year. Nearly one-third of the American population does not think it is pertinent to schedule regular appointments for eye health care.
The public health crisis brought along by COVID-19 has also left its imprint on vision power. The patients sometimes remained prone (flat on the stomach) for longer durations to increase the oxygen supply. This position had a damaging impact on eye health, and vision was left impaired. Earlier lockdowns and subsequent work-from-home and online studying also increased screen time, leading to issues like dry eyes, blurred or hazy vision, irritation, and eye strain. Individuals who wear contact lenses regularly also need help with proper wear, care, and disinfection during COVID-19.
Proper preventive vision care measures are essential. One must make that long-overdue appointment with an eye healthcare provider.
Optometrists are eye specialists who can examine, analyze, and prescribe treatments for primary vision care. They conduct eye tests and vision exams, prescribe glasses or corrective lenses, perform diagnoses for any irregularities in eye function, and detect certain eye diseases like glaucoma, etc.
Educational qualifications of an optometrist
An optometrist must complete a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) and bachelor's degree programs. Although no specific undergraduate major is required to apply for optometry school, interested candidates usually select a science-based degree.
The four-year O.D. program comprises science coursework and training in identifying and treating ocular problems and prescribing corrective lenses. In the fourth year, clinical rounds begin. During this time, they meet optometry patients, conduct exams, diagnose, and make treatment recommendations.
Once students finish the O.D. program, they can continue with a residency program. Although completing a residency is not mandatory to become an optometrist, one may choose to do so to develop in the field or pursue specialist education. Family practice, pediatric optometry, ocular disease, ocular surgery, and low-vision rehabilitation are a few specialties. Optometry residency programs are typically one year long.
To practice optometry, they need to obtain a state license. While each state has its requirements, most require that candidates pass the national board test conducted by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and graduate from an approved optometry institution.
Difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists
Like any other medical specialty, eye healthcare also has different types of professional doctors. Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both eye doctors with a few stark variations.
While an optometrist can diagnose, investigate, and treat your eyes, an ophthalmologist can perform eye surgeries to treat eye conditions. Optometrists take four years to complete their education in Optometry School and earn a degree in O.D. (Doctor of Optometry).
An ophthalmologist earns his degree of M.D. in medical school, followed by a year of internship and three years of residency. Optometrists, thus, are your primary eye care providers and the first professionals to go to if you face any trouble with your vision. Once they diagnose your condition, they can refer you to an ophthalmologist as a requisite. An optometrist is not a surgical doctor and thus can help you with the following:
- routine or annual eye checkups
- diagnosis of diseases or related eye conditions
- prescribe medications and treatment
- prescription of visual aids, glasses, and lenses
- minor procedures or medical treatment for certain eye conditions
- eye care after any surgery
Optometrists are also distinct from opticians. Opticians are not doctors. They are technicians with a diploma or a certificate, and their preliminary work includes filling up the prescriptions provided by optometrists. They will provide you with glasses and lenses and make any repairs to the frames if you need them.
When should you visit an optometrist?
Vision changes are not easily detectable by a layman. Only when the condition has progressed enough does the abruptions start to appear. The same goes for any underlying eye diseases or conditions like diabetes. Hence, it is essential to visit an optometrist annually. Parents should schedule primary eye care visits for their kids early so their eye health remains in good condition. Ages 20 to 40 can have comprehensive eye exams every two years. Older people should visit the eye doctor at least once yearly because certain conditions worsen in old age.
Apart from regular visits, you must see an optometrist near you if you are facing any of the below symptoms:
- Eyestrain
- Irritation
- Frequent blinking or rubbing
- Blurry vision
- Headache along with digital eye strain
- Double vision
- Difficulty in reading or seeing up-close
- Dry eyes
- Any injury or allergy
- Family history of certain conditions
Whenever you visit an optometrist, you must bring along your medical file, details of prescriptions, including visual aids or medication, and a list of questions or symptoms to help the doctor better understand your health status.
What to expect when you visit an optometrist?
An optometrist will discuss your health history and any eye or vision problems you face. The cover test, which comes next, evaluates how effectively your eyes work together. As you focus on a tiny target at a certain distance, your optometrist will check each eye to see how your eyes move.
The next test involves tracking the muscle action in your eyes as you observe an object—like a pen or a fingertip—moving in various directions. Your optometrist will test your eye alignment through this and record your pupils' responses.
The following step is a refraction or visual acuity test. It entails reading letters from the top row of an eye chart to the bottom while covering one eye. The test will determine whether you require corrective lenses and allow your optometrist to change your prescription using several lenses.
Your optometrist will also do a slit lamp examination, which utilizes technology to expand and illuminate the front of your eye to show the cornea, lens, iris, and back of your eyes. In addition, an optometrist will test your corneal thickness, analyze your peripheral vision, and assess the fluid pressure in your eyes for any signs of glaucoma.
Tips to keep your eyes healthy
The various tips to maintain eye health include the following:
- Maintain body weight: Obesity or being overweight increases the chances of developing diabetes. Diabetes also increases the risk of eye ailments like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, maintain a healthy body weight.
- Do regular exercise: Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can cause eye or vision diseases in some people. However, they can be controlled and managed with proper exercise, reducing your risk of developing these issues.
- Wear sunglasses: Too much sun exposure increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. To safeguard your eyes, use sunglasses that entirely or nearly block UV-A and UV-B radiation.
- Eat a healthy diet: Your daily diet should include many fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly leafy green and dark yellow vegetables. Fish like salmon, tuna, and halibut, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, also benefit your eyes.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking can affect the optic nerve and increase the chances of developing age-related eye conditions like macular degeneration and cataracts.
- Know your family's medical history: Knowing if anyone has had an eye disease is important because some eye conditions are inherited. It helps you determine whether you are more likely to develop eye disease.
- Know your other risk factors: You are more likely to contract eye diseases and conditions as you age. Hence, it's crucial to understand the risk factors, as you can reduce the risks by altering your behaviors.
- Give your eyes proper rest: When working on your computer, you tend to strain your eyes more and forget to blink, which can cause eye fatigue. To reduce eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule. Try to look away at an object 20 feet away for about 20 seconds, and repeat this exercise every 20 minutes.
Finding the best optometrist near you in Phoenix
It would help if you exercised due diligence on any issue related to eye health. Primary vision care is the first step in the process, and visiting an optometrist is ideal. Finding the right optometrist can seem tedious because so many options are available.
The factors one should consider while choosing the right optometrist are referrals, recommendations based on assessment, credentials of the doctor, and experience. Zocdoc takes care of all these factors for ease and convenience. You can browse the exhaustive directory of top-rated optometrists in Phoenix, AZ. The profiles include verified patient reviews, educational credentials, and specialty experience.
If you want to find a provider who accepts your insurance, add your insurance information (your specific coverage and provider) on the Zocdoc search. It will help you see in-network providers who accept your plan. You can find accurate results from in-network optometrists near you. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
You can instantly schedule an appointment and see the optometrist on the same day. Extensive filters help you find the right fit to make an informed decision. You can choose to have online consultations to avoid visiting the clinic. Look out for the purple video icon with the profiles in the directory, or you can use a filter to show optometrists that offer video visits. Instant weekend appointments are also available with certain optometrists on Zocdoc. You can search for 'Optometrists in Phoenix' or 'Optometrists near me' on Zocdoc's search bar and find the list of top-rated practitioners.
All bookings with Zocdoc are free, fast, and secure.
Optometry statistics in Phoenix
Comprehensive eye exams are essential to detect vision-related conditions and diseases. However, there needs to be more awareness regarding eye health and visits to optometrists. Nearly 53% of Americans do not know how to get proper eye health care. Most people are unaware that an eye exam also includes a disease diagnosis. Almost 83% of people want to learn about the know-how of eye care.
Around 54% of the American population visits optometrists once a year. This percentage is problematic because every 1 in 5 individuals has been diagnosed with non-eye-related medical conditions by an eye health professional like diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, etc. Digital eye strain has resulted in eye issues for around 46% of the population. Moreover, nearly 40% of people, including children, are myopic, and the number is constantly increasing.
The USA has around 38,720 optometrists and approximately 5,000 optometry students. Arizona State has about 1000 active optometrists. The state's location quotient shows it has a better share of employment than the average for optometrists than its neighboring states like New Mexico, Utah, or Nevada. The state still ranks lower on the National graph of optometrists per population, with roughly 13 optometrists per 100,000 population. Out of these, around 1,000,760 optometrists are active in Phoenix. The city's location quotient is better compared to the state-level ratio. Also, there are about 16 optometrists per 100,000 population in Phoenix. Increasing awareness about eye healthcare is pertinent to keep issues and diseases at bay.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
American Optometric Association[1]
American Optometric Association[2]
American Optometric Association[3]
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
Learn.org
Medline Plus
