Who is an optometrist?
Optometry is a medical specialty aimed at diagnosing and treating eye disorders and vision defects. While a doctor of optometry is not a medical doctor, they are at the forefront of primary eye healthcare in the country. Their expertise encompasses conducting eye exams, prescribing corrective lenses, identifying abnormalities, and treating specific eye conditions.
Educational background of an optometrist
An optometrist must obtain the four-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and then clear the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exams. They can then get a license, pursue a specialty fellowship, or undergo additional clinical training.
Optometrists train in examining, diagnosing, treating, and managing eye disorders and diseases. They conduct vision tests and eye exams, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, provide vision therapy, and perform screenings that can help reveal serious health problems. However, unlike ophthalmologists, they do not perform surgeries.
When should one consult an optometrist?
Optometrists are the ideal primary care providers for the timely diagnosis of vision problems and eye disorders. Common symptoms to watch out for include eye pain, red eyes, eye irritation, blurred vision, halos around lights, and specks in front of the eyes.
Optometrists help detect systemic health problems that cause eye issues, such as diabetes, and make the proper referrals. In patients with a family history of ocular diseases, these experts aid in preventing, detecting, and treating the conditions and their related complications. Patients who wear corrective lenses or use prescription drugs for the eyes also visit optometrists for regular eye check-ups.
What sets optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians apart?
Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both professionals specializing in eye care.
An ophthalmologist is a specialized medical doctor (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) trained extensively in eye care. With over eight years of medical education, they can diagnose and treat several eye diseases, perform surgeries, and even prescribe glasses or contact lenses. They delve deep into research about eye conditions and treatments.
In contrast, optometrists are primary vision care providers, not medical doctors. After completing optometry school, which follows several years of college, they earn a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. An optometrist near you is an expert in conducting eye exams, prescribing corrective lenses, identifying specific eye issues, and prescribing certain medications for eye conditions.
Opticians typically hold a two-year technical degree or certification and collaborate with optometrists and ophthalmologists. While they rely on prescriptions from ophthalmologists or optometrists, they do not diagnose or treat eye diseases. Opticians specialize in fitting glasses, contacts, or other vision correction aids.
What conditions do optometrists treat?
An optometrist can diagnose and treat eye diseases and abnormalities that adversely impact your vision or even lead to blindness. Some conditions addressed by optometrists include:
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and often runs in families. If not treated on time, it can lead to permanent blindness and typically becomes evident later in life. Since early symptoms and pain are rare in the early stages of glaucoma, mostly regular eye exams detect it.
- Age-related macular degeneration: Macular degeneration is a condition in which the central part of the retina, called the macula, deteriorates. This deterioration is a primary reason for permanent vision loss in individuals over 60, and the ailment worsens as a person ages.
- Cataracts: Cataracts usually develop with age, clouding your vision and interfering with your daily routine. Some symptoms include blurry, cloudy, or double vision, sensitivity to light and glare, and trouble identifying blue/green.
- Diabetic retinopathy: It is caused by high blood sugar levels that damage the retina's blood vessels. Diabetic retinopathy has four stages, and many people do not experience any symptoms in the early ones. In the last phase, retinal detachment can result in permanent vision loss.
- Retinal tear or detachment: The ailment causes the retina to separate from the tissues supporting it. It is a dangerous problem and needs immediate treatment. Patients with detached retinas usually present with a sudden loss of eyesight and the appearance of flashes or floaters in front of the eyes.
- Myopia: Also known as nearsightedness, myopic patients have difficulty seeing far-away objects. However, they can see objects that are close by. Depending upon the severity, myopia is corrected using glasses, contact lenses, or surgery.
- Hyperopia: Also known as farsightedness, this condition is the opposite of myopia. Patients with hyperopia can easily see distant objects but have difficulty focusing on closer things. Like myopia, this vision problem is corrected using glasses, contact lenses, or eye surgery.
- Diplopia: This is usually a temporary eye condition in which the patient sees double images or blurred vision. At times, it could be a sign of severe underlying health conditions. Regular eye check-ups are essential to detect vision changes in time.
- Presbyopia: This ocular problem first appears when patients turn 40. It is part of the normal aging process, and patients with presbyopia have difficulty focusing on nearby objects. They generally present with blurred vision, the need for more reading light and to hold things closer to the eye level to read them, strained eyes, and headaches. Presbyopia can worsen and change the patient's baseline vision without timely treatment.
- Color blindness: People who have color blindness have trouble differentiating various colors and shades. A retinal nerve cell called a cone doesn't function properly in patients with color blindness. Cones process images and send signals to the brain that help perceive color. A genetic mutation, which is mainly inherited, commonly causes color blindness.
- Astigmatism: This is the most common form of refractive problems in the eyes. Patients with astigmatism have issues with the curvature of the lens or cornea, which leads to blurred vision. Most cases are corrected using lenses or eyeglasses.
Understanding cataract surgery: Types, procedures, and expectations
Not everyone with cataracts requires surgery. In its initial stages, cataracts may only cause mild vision issues, like nearsightedness, which an eye doctor might be able to correct with glasses alone.
Since cataracts develop gradually, they cause a slow decline in vision. Surgery becomes necessary only when vision loss disrupts daily activities, such as reading or driving. Individuals with cataracts should consult with their doctor to determine if and when they might need surgery.
According to the American Optometric Association, cataract surgery includes two main types: small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and extracapsular surgery.
1. Small incision cataract surgery (SICS)
The more common small-incision cataract surgery involves making a small incision in the cornea—the eye's outermost layer, which has a dome shape and sits in front of the lens. A surgeon inserts a probe through this incision to break up the lens using ultrasound waves, a process known as phacoemulsification. This helps the surgeon eliminate the lens in smaller portions.
The surgeon then leaves the lens capsule intact to hold a new, artificial lens. Typically, this incision does not require sutures to heal. If a patient cannot receive an artificial lens due to other eye issues, contact lenses or eyeglasses may help correct vision.
2. Extracapsular surgery
In extracapsular surgery, a larger incision is made in the cornea, enabling the surgeon to remove the lens in one piece. Like SICS, the lens capsule remains in place to support the new artificial lens. Surgeons recommend extracapsular surgery when phacoemulsification is ineffective for breaking cloudy lens spots.
Before surgery, the preparation team reviews the patient's medical history and provides any last-minute details about the procedure. Once prepped, the surgeon begins the operation.
During the surgery, patients can expect the following:
- A doctor usually administers medication to help the patient relax.
- Anesthetic eye drops or injections are used to numb the eye.
- Patients stay awake during the procedure, perceiving light and movement without seeing the surgical details.
- The surgeon creates small incisions to access and remove the lens., replacing it with an artificial one.
- Since the incision typically heals on its own, stitches are usually unnecessary.
- The eye is covered with a protective covering, and the patient is sent to the recovery room.
The entire cataract surgery procedure generally lasts around 15 minutes.
What are comprehensive eye exams?
An optometrist near you might perform a comprehensive exam to check your eyes and assess your vision health. They will evaluate visual acuity through refraction and gauge eye tissue health at your appointment. Your tests depend on your symptoms and your optometrist's professional judgment.
This exam can help detect over 270 severe health conditions ranging from diabetes to cancer. Data from the American Optometric Association shows that in 2018, comprehensive eye exams helped pinpoint signs of diabetes in over 301,000 patients unaware they had it.
A comprehensive eye exam differs from a vision screening at schools, DMV, and pediatrician offices. Existing vision screening methods cannot effectively identify people who need vision care, resulting in a false sense of security about your vision's wellness and can cause early signs of a problem to go undetected.
What to expect at your optometrist appointment?
The first thing your optometrist will do is inquire about your medical and vision history. They will then conduct various eye tests using different equipment to assess your vision health. These include cover tests, external and retinal examination, refraction and slit lamp testing, pachymetry, tests to check eye muscle movement, pupil reactions, visual acuity, glaucoma testing, pupil dilation, and visual field tests. These evaluate eye health parameters and the blood vessels and muscles surrounding your eyes. During the appointment, your optometrist will observe how your eyes move, focus, and work together.
How should one take care of their eyes?
Here are steps you can take to maintain healthy eyes and ensure optimal vision:
- Eat a balanced diet: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in deep yellow and green leafy varieties. Eating fish with omega-3 fatty acids, like tuna, salmon, and halibut, can also benefit your eye health.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity raises the likelihood of developing diabetes, subsequently increasing the risk of conditions such as diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.
- Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can prevent or manage diabetes and high cholesterol, lowering the risk of eye and vision problems associated with these conditions.
- Wear sunglasses: Sunglasses shield your eyes from sun damage and block UV-A and UV-B radiation to a large extent, reducing the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
- Protective eyewear: Wear eye protection during activities that may cause eye injury, such as specific sports, occupations involving machinery, construction, or home repairs.
- Avoid smoking: To alleviate the risk of developing eye conditions like macular degeneration or cataracts, one should quit smoking.
- Know your family's medical history: Some eye diseases have a genetic component, so understanding your family's medical history can help assess your risk. If there is a family history of eye issues, you should consult an optometrist near you for evaluation and potential preventive measures.
- Understand other risk factors: Aging increases the risk of age-related eye diseases. Recognizing your risk factors allows you to adopt behaviors that mitigate these risks.
- Contact lens hygiene: If you wear contacts, practice good hygiene to prevent eye infections. Before handling lenses, wash your hands thoroughly and follow proper cleaning and replacement guidelines.
- Timely eye rest: If you spend extended periods on a computer, avoid eye strain by following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, turn your eyes to something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
How can you find an experienced optometrist near you in Staten Island, NY?
It is vital to care for your eyes with regular exams, even if you do not use contact lenses or glasses. Frequent checks can help spot eye disease early on and preserve your vision. Finding a qualified optometrist near you can be a hassle. Zocdoc provides a simple and easy way to locate the right optometrist near you from the comfort of your home.
Create a free account on Zocdoc and let us know your preferences. Our advanced algorithm will search an extensive database of medical practitioners based on the symptoms or location you entered. You can filter the results by the provider's gender, language, whether they treat children, and your insurance network.
If you want to find an optometrist who accepts your insurance, add your insurance information (your insurance provider and plan) 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.
Zocdoc gives you access to providers' profiles for more information, such as qualifications, licensure, experience, accreditations, and verified patient reviews, to help you choose the best specialist for your requirements. Once you have decided, you can schedule a virtual appointment before meeting the optometrist.
All bookings made on Zocdoc are free, simple, and secure.
Statistics on optometrists and visual impairment in New York
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in its May 2021 report on Occupational Employment and Wages, states that approximately 38,720 optometrists are employed across the country. Statistics from the New York State Department of Labor show that as of July 1, 2020, 2,893 optometrist licenses were registered in the state.
According to the Vision Health Initiative (VHI) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2015, the US had roughly 1.02 million individuals who were suffering from blindness and about 3.22 million with vision impairment (VI). Projections suggest these numbers could increase to around 2.01 million individuals with no eyesight and approximately 6.95 million with VI by the year 2050.
Meanwhile, figures collated by the American Foundation for the Blind show that the prevalence of visual difficulty in New York State in 2019 was about 388,524. People aged 35-64 comprise the largest segment at 139,678, followed by those aged 75 and older in second place (110,899).
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
WebMD[3]
WebMD[4]
Cleveland Clinic
American Optometric Association
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
New York State Department of Labor
American Foundation for the Blind
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
MedlinePlus
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus
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