Who is an optometrist?
An optometrist is a licensed healthcare professional trained to provide primary vision care. They can conduct eye examinations, detect abnormalities, write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses, and treat certain eye conditions. Optometrists attend optometry school and then graduate with a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. Thus, they are not medical doctors, do not perform surgeries, and collaborate with ophthalmologists to provide optimum eye care to patients.
Optometrists are crucial in fulfilling their patients' primary vision care needs. They monitor and identify eye issues linked to diabetes and heart conditions and treat common eye ailments like age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. They even provide low-vision aids and therapy to people with acute vision defects.
When should you see an optometrist?
Scheduling routine exams with an optometrist near you can help maintain strong vision and detect eye conditions before they worsen. During an examination, your optometrist will assess your vision, how your eyes align, and how your eye muscles function. Such inspection of the eyes allows an optometrist to identify glaucoma, diabetes, and other health problems.
To avail the benefits of an optometrist's care, you must know when to see them. The following situations may be some indicators that it is time to visit an optometrist:
- If you cannot recall the last time you checked your eyes, you should do so immediately. This is advisable as most eye issues tend to go unnoticed due to being symptomless but keep worsening as time passes. Early detection can help prevent problems like your optic nerves getting damaged due to glaucoma or the clouding of your lens because of cataracts. Based on a discussion with your eyecare practitioner, you can schedule appointments once in two years. Additionally, after attaining 65 years of age, it is recommended that you visit the optometrist annually.
- Being at high risk for developing eye conditions may also necessitate more frequent optometry visits. If you have a family history of eye disease, have diabetes, wear contact lenses, work long hours on the computer, or have undergone eye surgery, you should get annual eye check-ups.
- Red and irritated eyes can be a sign of allergies. If you experience burning, itchiness, or watery discharge from your eyes, you may be allergic to things like grass, smoke, perfume, mold, pet dander, etc. In such cases, getting your allergen identified by an optometrist near you would be helpful.
- Headaches can result from eye strain and, thus, indicate that your vision may not be 20/20. In this scenario, they are typically caused by the inability of the eyes to focus, resulting in the eyes working harder than usual. If you face headaches after using your eyes for a long time while reading, sewing, working on your computer, etc., you should see your eye care practitioner.
- If you see double, floaters, flashes, circles, or halos around lights, etc., you should get your eyes tested immediately.
What to expect during any routine eye exam with an optometrist near you?
A routine eye exam with an optometrist is more than just checking your prescription—it's vital to maintaining your overall health. During these exams, the optometrist not only ensures you're seeing clearly but also evaluates the health of your eyes, which can sometimes reveal underlying health issues.
- Vision check: You'll be tested for how well you see at various distances, commonly known as checking for 20/20 vision.
- Binocular vision: The optometrist will assess how well your eyes work together, essential for depth perception and comfortable vision.
- Color vision: The optometrist will check if you can distinguish between different colors, identifying any color blindness.
- Eye health: An optometrist will examine both inside and outside of your eyes for signs of diseases like glaucoma or cataract.
- Neurological function: The optometrist will also check for neurological issues related to vision, such as how well your pupils respond to light.
- Peripheral vision and depth perception: These tests assess your side vision and ability to judge distances, both crucial for daily activities like driving.
- Refraction test (prescription): The optometrist will check how your eyes refract light to determine whether you need glasses or contact lenses.
- Lifestyle considerations: Your optometrist will discuss your vision needs based on your lifestyle, whether for work, hobbies, or other activities.
This exam typically lasts around 30 minutes and involves several quick, painless tests.
How can one prevent eye strain caused by digital devices and screens?
Here are some tips to keep your eyes healthy when working long hours on the screen.
- Maintain proper distance: Many people place the computer or laptop screen close to their eyes when working. Extended working hours in such a position can dry your eyes and increase the risk of eye problems. It would be best to place the screen at arm's length from your eyes. The top of the screen should be just below your line of sight so your eyelids stay slightly closed when focusing on the device. This can help keep the eyes lubricated, avoid dryness, reduce strain, and keep the eyes healthy.
- Adjust the lighting: Light intensity and brightness are more critical factors than you think. A dark workspace or inadequate screen brightness often causes eye strain and headaches. The room or your workspace should have adequate lighting. The screen brightness should be appropriate to avoid squinting. You must adjust the light and brightness accordingly so your eyes feel more comfortable when focused on the screen.
- Take regular breaks: Generally, one is so engrossed in their work that the eyes stay focused on devices for hours. This can strain the eyes and cause headaches. Most optometrists suggest following the 20-20-20 rule. This entails taking your eyes from the screen every 20 minutes and focusing them on something that is 20 feet away for around 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a much-needed break from the screen and improves lubrication. You could even get up from the chair and walk around or stretch your body for a few minutes before returning to the screen.
- Blink more often: Generally, one forgets to blink when working on the screen, which makes the eyes dry. Regular blinking helps restore moisture in the eyes and avoids eye strain. Lack of blinking may often cause dryness and irritation and thus reduce your vision.
- Increase font size: You must increase the font size if the letters on the screen are too small to read. Taking your eyes closer to the screen will only add extra strain and may harm your eye health. A larger screen may also help.
What nutrients can help optimize eye health?
Eating nutrient-rich healthy foods gives energy and strengthens the immune system to fight diseases. Here are the vital nutrients you must include in your daily diet to optimize eye health:
- Omega 3 fatty acids: These are crucial for proper retina function and vision development and can improve tear production, reduce inflammation, and reinforce the oily outer layer of the eyes. Omega 3 fatty acids are also essential for the optimal development of eye vision among infants and children. Fish like tuna and salmon have abundant omega-3 fatty acids and should be included in daily diets to improve eye health.
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A is vital to maintain the photoreceptors or light-sensing cells present in the eye. Lack of this nutrient can cause dry eyes and night blindness and is also the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Foods like dairy products, egg yolks, and liver contain vitamin A.
- Lutein and zeaxanthin: These can help decrease the chances of chronic eye diseases. Higher quantities of lutein and zeaxanthin in the body significantly reduce the risk of developing new cataracts. Dark green leafy vegetables are their richest source and must be consumed daily for optimal eye health. Broccoli, peas, corn, tangerines, and persimmons are other food items rich in lutein and zeaxanthin.
- Zinc: Vitamin A is necessary to produce a protective pigment called melanin to protect the eyes. Zinc is a crucial nutrient that brings vitamin A from the liver to the retina. Its deficiency can cause impaired vision conditions like cloudy cataracts and night blindness. Red meat, shellfish, seeds, nuts, and oysters are rich sources of zinc and should be included in the diet.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a crucial nutrient that protects the cells from free radicals or unstable molecules that break down healthy tissues in the eye area. Foods like wheat germ, nuts, and sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin E.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C can lower the risk of cataracts. It can also reduce the risk of visual acuity loss and age-related macular degeneration when consumed with other essential nutrients. Foods like strawberries, grapefruit, tomatoes, papaya, and green pepper are rich in vitamin C. They must be included in the diet to keep your eyes healthy.
How to find the best optometrists near you in Silver Spring, Maryland?
With Zocdoc, you can easily find the best and the most experienced optometrists in Silver Spring, Maryland, who understand your care requirements. First, create a free account on Zocdoc. Next, select your specialty or condition, location, and date. If you have insurance, include your insurance carrier's name in the website search to find the best optometrists who accept your plan. Once you enter your search criteria, you would see a comprehensive list of highly qualified optometrists in your area.
Each provider on Zocdoc has a unique profile. Click on the provider profiles to learn more about them. You can read about their educational qualifications, board certifications, clinical interests, expertise, experience, and spoken languages. You can also check the provider's availability and see if they provide care for children.
Our updated and verified patient reviews and user ratings can assist you in making an informed decision while choosing a provider. Thanks to our user-friendly features and filters, you can efficiently perform an area-specific search, compare, and book appointments with licensed optometrists who accept your insurance!
If you don't see your insurance plan listed on Zocdoc, you can try uploading a photo of your medical insurance card (this option is only available for medical insurance, not vision or dental). We'll scan the card and show you the likely plan you're on. If you're having trouble uploading the image, feel free to reach out to our service team for help. If you have more insurance-related queries, you can check out Zocdoc’s insurance page.
You can also book video consultations on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better understand your optometrist. Look for a purple video icon on optometrists' profiles or filter the video appointment selection.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Optometrist workforce and vision-related statistics for Maryland, USA
According to the May 2023 occupational employment data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, America had about 41,390 active optometrists, and Maryland had about 750 practicing optometrists.
In 2019, about 111,669 Maryland residents reported vision difficulty, lower than the 2018 prevalence rate (112,385). The prevalence was higher among women, i.e., 61,544, compared to men, in whom it was about 50,125. Nearly 38,730 adults in the 35-64 age group reported vision difficulty, the highest among age groups, per the data published by the American Foundation for the Blind.
In 2017, more than 93 million adults (37.9%) in the USA were at a high risk of vision loss compared to 65 million (31.5%) in 2002. About 57% of adults visited an eye care professional annually, and nearly 60% received dilated eye examinations, per the data published on Jama Network.
As per a 2015 eye health survey published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nearly 1.7 million men and 3.2 million women in the 50+ age group are affected with dry eye syndrome.
According to the data published on the Jama Network, in 2019, about 18.3 million Americans in the 40+ age group were reported to have early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Nearly 1.5 million Americans reported having late-stage AMD.
Sources
The College of Optometrists
News Medical Life Sciences
WebMD
Hartford Healthcare
Verywell Heath
American Optometric Association
Healthline
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
American Foundation for the Blind
Jama Network[1]
Jama Network[2]
American Academy of Opthalmology
Penn Medicine
Stoney Creek Eye Care & Eyewear Boutique
