Who is an optometrist?
Optometrists are healthcare providers who have completed training in eye and vision care. They provide primary vision care and are licensed to practice optometry but not as medical doctors. They can conduct eye exams, write prescriptions for contact lenses and glasses, detect anomalies in the eye, and treat certain eye diseases.
Doctors of optometry (O.D.s or optometrists) are the nation's primary eye and vision care providers. It is their job to not only look after the health of the eyes and vision but also to detect systemic disorders and diagnose, treat, and manage the eye manifestations of those diseases.
How is an ophthalmologist different from an optometrist?
Both ophthalmologists and optometrists are eye specialists, but their training and areas of expertise differ. Depending on your overall vision health or the type of problem you face with your vision, you may need to seek care explicitly provided by one of these eye care professionals.
Unlike optometrists, ophthalmologists are medical or osteopathic doctors. They attend medical school and specialize in eye and vision care. They diagnose and treat all eye-related disorders and perform eye surgeries if required. They can also prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses to rectify vision-related problems. Many are involved in scientific research on the causes, prevention, and cures of eye and vision-related disorders.
What are some of the subspecialties in optometry and eye care?
The following are some of the subspecialties in the field of optometry:
- Cornea and contact lenses: The cornea is the eye's outer layer; it is transparent and protects the eyeball. In this way, the eyeball is a lens for the light that enters. Optometrists specializing in cornea and contact lenses have a deep knowledge of the conditions affecting these parts of the eyes. They diagnose and treat corneal disorders and fit specialized contact lenses.
- Low vision: Optometrists specializing in low vision treat visually impaired patients without glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
- Ocular disease: These optometrists can detect several conditions affecting various parts of the eyes, such as macular degeneration and glaucoma.
- Neuro-optometry: Optometrists who study neuro-optometry study neurological diseases that affect vision, congenital ocular conditions, and the effects of trauma on the eyes.
- Vision therapy: Also known as behavioral optometry, this field focuses on understanding how vision is connected and affects our daily activities. Optometrists specializing in this branch use eye exercises and special lenses to enhance visual functions.
- Pediatrics: These optometrists specifically focus on vision disorders affecting children and provide appropriate vision therapy to help in the healthy development of children.
- Geriatrics: Optometrists in this field have in-depth knowledge of conditions that affect the eyes of senior citizens, such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
What are the conditions treated by optometrists?
An optometrist near you can diagnose and treat several eye-related conditions. They can also detect an eye problem and refer you to an ophthalmologist or appropriate care provider if it requires further expertise.
Some conditions that an optometrist can diagnose include:
- Chalazion - A bump on the edge of an individual's eye
- Dry eye disease - An inflammation caused either in the cornea, i.e., the protective outer eye layer, or the conjunctiva, i.e., the tissue lining
- Glaucoma - It is a disease usually caused by high pressure in the eye.
- Ocular allergies - These are allergies that affect the eyes.
- Strabismus - It is the misalignment of the eyes.
You can visit an optometrist for most of your routine eye care needs and the overall health of your vision. You can also see them for annual eye checkups to ensure your eyesight is optimized. Many eye conditions develop without symptoms, so an eye exam is vital for monitoring your eyes.
What are the treatments offered by an optometrist?
The treatments an optometrist is permitted to provide will depend on the state of their residence. Beyond eye exams, vision correction, and other minor procedures, optometrists may also perform the following:
- Annual or routine eye exams, including eye health education
- Diagnosis of eye disorders
- Prescribe medications, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation, and vision therapy, and perform specific surgical procedures.
- Post-surgical eye care
When should you visit an optometrist near you?
If you seem to experience the following symptoms, then it is advisable to book an appointment with your nearby optometrist:
- You experience frequent headaches: It can take months or even years to notice subtle changes in your vision. You may not realize it, but if you've been having unusual headaches, it could be a sign that your eyes are failing. If you experience frequent headaches, see an optometrist for a complete examination.
- Pain and uneasiness in the eye: There is no guarantee that eye pain or weariness is a sign that your vision is declining, although it may be. Make an appointment with an optometrist if your eyes hurt when you move them or if they hurt for more than a few days in a row, and the reason is not getting enough sleep or having allergies.
- Experiencing distorted or blurry vision: Chances are that your eyes have deteriorated over time if your vision is blurry. Seeing flashes of light or shadows you didn't see before could indicate a more severe condition, such as a tear, hole, or complete detachment of the retina from the retinal layer of the eye. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact an optometrist immediately.
- You squint frequently: One of the most significant signs of worsening vision is squinting. If you notice yourself squinting while reading books, looking at your laptop, or watching television, you should make an appointment for an eye check as soon as possible to rule out eye problems.
- You're suffering from allergic reactions: Allergies can cause your eyes to become itchy and inflamed, impairing your vision. If you experience the following symptoms: sneezing, wheezing, or a runny nose, you may have ocular allergies. Some of the symptoms are itchiness, redness, burning, and streaming.
Tips to maintain eye health and prevent vision loss
Your eyes are an essential part of your health. You can adopt simple practices in your daily life that promote good eye health throughout your life.
- Have thorough eye examinations: While you may believe your eyes are in good condition, a comprehensive dilated eye exam with your optometrist is the only way to confirm this. Sometimes, one may be unaware that their eyesight has weakened, and glasses or contact lenses could improve their vision. Moreover, certain prevalent eye conditions like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and age-related macular degeneration often manifest no symptoms. Detecting these diseases in their initial phases is only possible through a dilated eye exam.
- Learn about your family's eye health history: Find out about the history of eye health in your family members. Many eye diseases and conditions are genetic; therefore, it's crucial to know whether anyone has been diagnosed. This information can help you assess whether you are more likely to acquire an eye disease or condition.
- Maintain your blood glucose levels: Diabetes causes 90% of blindness and is avoidable. Ask your healthcare team to assist you in setting and achieving objectives for managing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol—also known as the ABCs of Diabetes.
- Maintain a healthy body weight: Being overweight raises the chance of acquiring diabetes and other systemic disorders that can lead to vision loss, like glaucoma or diabetic eye disease. You can consult an optometrist if you have difficulties maintaining a healthy weight. They can refer you to the right specialist and guide you in eye care.
- Quit smoking, or never start: Smoking is hazardous to both your eyes and the rest of your body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking is connected to an increased risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage, and all of these can lead to vision loss.
Finding an optometrist near you in St Louis, MO
Frequent eye checkups are an essential part of maintaining good health. Therefore, it's important to consult an eye care specialist who can meet your needs. Many people misinterpret the duties of the numerous eye care providers and the importance of each one in maintaining your eye health. Zocdoc is here to help you find the best optometrist in St Louis, MO.
Upon entering the website, you must provide information about your symptoms, medical condition, and the type of doctor you prefer. Zocdoc lets you find doctors based on location, the day you want to see a doctor, and your existing medical insurance. Zocdoc allows you to book both face-to-face and virtual appointments.
Zocdoc includes a comprehensive bio of each doctor's features on the website to increase transparency. The profile includes the doctor's educational background, connections, credentials, specialty, work experience, languages spoken, the age range of patients treated, and any awards and recognition won in their chosen field. Detailed patient reviews and ratings are available on Zocdoc to help you make an informed decision.
All bookings on Zocdoc are simple, secure, and free!
Vital eye statistics you should know.
The American Foundation for the Blind reports that 71,643 men and 86,541 women in Missouri were visually impaired or had eye ailments in 2019, respectively. Most of these potentially fatal conditions are easily detectable with a simple eye exam at the optometrist's office.
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, more than 149,000 Missouri citizens experience blindness or have considerable trouble seeing, even with glasses.
According to another CDC report, an estimated 12 million people in the United States are 40 years old or older and have some vision impairment. Of these people, about 1 million are blind, 3 million have vision impairment even after correcting it, and 8 million have vision impairment due to uncorrected refractive error.
Cataracts affect nearly half of all American adults by age 75. More than 24.4 million people in the United States aged 40 and older are affected by cataracts, as stated in a report on figures compiled by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Visits to the optometrist can protect one from developing any eye conditions.
Sources
Healthline
Verywell Health[1]
Medical Optometry America
WebMD
Penn Medicine
Cleveland Clinic
Medical News Today
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Visionary Eye Center
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
American Foundation For The Blind
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[3]
Verywell Health[2]
