Who are optometrists?
Optometrists are medical professionals who look after primary vision health. They aren't doctors who cannot perform surgical procedures but are licensed to practice optometry. They can write prescription glasses and contact lenses, give eye exams, and treat certain eye-related disorders. Optometrists receive their optometry degree after completing four years in optometry school. Once they complete their optometry course, they must pass the optometry exams conducted by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry for their license to practice optometry. Optometrists can also go for specialty fellowships or additional clinical training.
Some of the common reasons why we might need optometrists are:
- Vision tests and eye exams
- Prescription of contact lenses
- Identify eye conditions that are related to other diseases like diabetes
- Treating conditions such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration
- Vision therapies: An optometrist can treat diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy; these diseases can lead to blindness if left untreated.
Ophthalmologists, optometrists, or opticians: Who to choose?
All three healthcare professionals- ophthalmologists or eye doctors, opticians, and optometrists- offer vision care services and play a role in maintaining eye health. However, each healthcare professional's education, training, and scope of practice differ.
An ophthalmologist is a doctor of medicine (M.D.) or osteopathic doctor (D.O.) who completes nearly 12 to 13 years of advanced medical training. This allows them to prescribe medication, perform eye surgery, and treat a broader range of eye conditions as opposed to optometrists and opticians. They get training to treat and manage acute, complex, and emergency eye problems. Some ophthalmologists choose to specialize further in a specific medical subject or surgical eye care. These subspecialties include- strabismus/pediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, retina surgery, anterior segment/cornea, oculoplastic surgery, and ocular oncology.
On the other hand, optometrists obtain a doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree after completing 2 to 4 years of college education, followed by four years of optometry school. They practice optometry and provide primary vision care, which involves vision testing, detecting abnormalities in the eye, and providing correction and treatment. Optometrists in some states in the U.S. are allowed to dispense medication.
Opticians are technicians trained to understand prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. They use those prescriptions to design and fit frames, eyeglass lenses, contact lenses, and other devices needed to correct eyesight. Unlike optometrists and ophthalmologists who offer comprehensive eye exams, opticians do not test vision or write prescriptions for visual correction. These healthcare professionals are not licensed to diagnose or treat eye diseases. You may also find that optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists work together in the same clinic and are provided assistance by ophthalmic medical technicians for specific tests and surgeries.
The type of eye specialist you need to choose depends on your symptoms and the services you need. Primary care generally begins with an optometrist, who you may need to see often for a routine eye exam. Optometrists perform dilated eye exams, vision screenings, and minor procedures. If your optometrist finds you have a more serious vision problem, they will refer you to an eye doctor or ophthalmologist. An optometrist may also diagnose other health conditions that affect your vision, such as diabetes. Your ophthalmologist may prescribe eye medications or advise surgery for complex eye conditions. They also offer post-surgical eye assessments and care.
In case of eye injuries or emergencies like a cut or torn eyelid, sudden loss of vision, unusual pupil shape or size, stuck particles in the eyes, or intense eye pain, visit an eye doctor near you or seek emergency medical care immediately. Ensure you do not attempt to treat such injuries alone, as improper care can lead to further damage or even permanent vision loss.
If you are still unsure which eye specialist to see, consult your primary care doctor or a general practitioner.
When should you visit an optometrist?
Optometrists can help you with primary eye care and treat certain eye disorders. You should visit an optometrist or an eye doctor near you if you are facing any of the following conditions:
- If your vision is blurred and you suspect that you might need glasses or contact lenses or if you face any issues with your already prescribed glasses or lenses
- If you are suffering from a disease that might affect your eyes, like diabetes
- If you have a family history of eye disorders or vision loss
- If you are on medication that might affect your vision
Our eyes are sensitive and one of the most important sensory organs that help us perceive our surroundings and live healthy lives. Therefore, taking care of our vision health and identifying symptoms at the right time is very important to prevent anything severe from happening with our eyes. The only signs one should always pay attention to and immediately consult an optometrist about are eye pain, blurred vision, red and irritated eyes, floaters, dry eyes, and light flashes.
Optometrists want to know about your medical history and vision problems to identify and diagnose your eye conditions. Along with it, they will also prescribe or perform different eye exams to test the functionality of the eyes. Some of those tests are:
- Cover test optometrists: They perform the test to determine the movement of the eyes. You will be asked to focus on a tiny target at a specific distance away while your eyes are covered one at a time while the optometrist observes your eye movement.
- Eye muscle movement test: The specialist will prescribe the test to check your eye alignment. The optometrist will ask you to concentrate on a target, like the tip of a finger or pen, as it moves in different directions.
- Pupil reaction: The pupils form the black center of the eyes, which regulate the amount of light. The optometrist will assess how the pupils adjust according to the lighting and examine the white part of the eyes and the positioning of the eyelids.
- Visual acuity or Refraction test: A visual acuity exam determines whether you need corrective glasses. The optometrist will cover one eye at a time and ask you to read from an eye chart, which will contain both large and small letters. Once the optometrist identifies that you require a corrective lens, a refraction test is prescribed to fine-tune the prescription by changing between lenses.
- Retinal Exam: The exam is performed to inspect the fluid pressure in your eyes, rule out any glaucoma signs, measure the thickness of your corneas, and check your peripheral vision. Optometrists use an ophthalmoscopy instrument to reveal the back of your eyes, including the optic nerves, retina, and blood vessels.
Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on eye health
Since the pandemic started, the world has become more digital, especially for school-going children, as phones and laptops have replaced textbooks. Screen time has substantially increased for office-goers who have started working from home. Our phones and laptops have almost become our extended body parts, resulting in several eye-related disorders due to extended exposure to screen radiation. Therefore, regular eye exams have become more critical than ever. There are mainly three kinds of eye care practitioners: ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians.
How to maintain eye health while working from home?
If you work from home, you may spend more time staring at screens than if you went into an office, which can impact your eyesight in several ways. First, you may be more likely to develop computer vision syndrome or CVS. This condition can cause eye strain, headaches, and even nausea. Eye health is crucial for overall well-being. Thus, people need to take the necessary precautions to protect their eyesight. Here are a few essential tips to help you maintain eye health while working from home:
- Take breaks often: It is crucial to take frequent breaks while working from home to prevent eye fatigue. Every 20 minutes, look away from your monitor or phone and focus on something else for at least 20 seconds.
- Adjust your screen settings: If you are straining your eyes while working, it may be time to adjust your computer screen or phone settings. Consider increasing the font size or changing the brightness and contrast levels.
- Blink frequently: Blinking helps to keep our eyes lubricated and prevents them from becoming irritated and dry. When we gaze at screens for long hours, we tend to blink less often, so deliberately blink more frequently when working from home.
- Maintain good posture: The first defense against eye strain is maintaining the correct sitting position while working. Ensure your wrists are slightly lifted rather than resting on your keyboard when you sit down at your computer with your feet flat on the floor. Place your screen just below your normal line of sight.
- See an eye doctor regularly: Even if you don't have any vision problems, it is still important to see an eye doctor regularly for checkups. Routine visits allow your eye doctor to detect any early signs of vision issues. You should see your ophthalmologist or optometrist at least once a year, even if you don't wear glasses or contact lenses. It will help ensure that potential eye conditions are promptly caught and treated.
How to find top-rated optometrists in Tampa?
Eye-related abnormalities and disorders can affect a person's quality of life and day-to-day functions in a significant way. Apart from visiting an eye doctor near you for routine checkups, it is also imperative to receive immediate care during emergencies, as injuries often lead to permanent vision loss.
Zocdoc connects you with the top-rated optometrists in your area and provides a secure and hassle-free way to book appointments. Zocdoc has certified specialists with adequate experience to provide the best treatments for your condition.
It also allows you to access crucial information about optometrists, like their educational background, certification, and experience in the field. Along with all this information, you can also access the public ratings and reviews of the specialists that'll help you form an informed opinion about the specialists.
Eye disorder statistics in Tampa
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, 4.2 million Americans aged 40 years and older suffered irreversible vision impairment in the year 2012, out of which 1.02 million are blind. As per the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports, around 2,000 U.S. workers sustain job-related eye injuries requiring daily medical treatment. The economic impacts of vision loss are high, and it has been reported to be around USD 145 million in 2012.
Sources
WebMD[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Verywell Health[1]
American Academy of Ophthalmology[1]
American Academy of Ophthalmology[2]
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD[2]
Verywell Health[2]
