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Who is an optometrist, and what do they do?

An optometrist is a healthcare provider who offers primary vision care. While optometrists are not considered medical doctors, they are doctors of optometry. Their practice typically involves:

• Administering vision assessments and eye exams
• Providing prescriptions and fittings for corrective lenses
• Identifying and monitoring eye conditions
• Treating eye issues associated with other diseases like diabetes 
• Providing vision therapy and low-vision aids

What are the educational qualifications of an optometrist?

Optometrists must complete four years of education at an optometry school to earn a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. The process includes the following steps:

• Obtaining a bachelor's degree in science or pre-med
• Passing the Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
• Enrolling in a four-year Doctor of Optometry program
• Earning a doctoral degree (OD)
• Clearing the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exams
• Obtaining a license to practice optometry

After receiving a license, optometrists can opt into a specialty fellowship or pursue additional clinical training.

What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

Although the terms optometrist and ophthalmologist are often used interchangeably, these two professions are distinct. While both provide eye care, their responsibilities and functions differ.

Optometrists do not possess the medical license required to perform surgical procedures on the eyes. On the other hand, ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have gone to medical school and are qualified to diagnose and treat specific eye and vision conditions. In cases of severe eye conditions, patients may be directed to an ophthalmologist by an optometrist for specialized treatment. Ophthalmologists are qualified to prescribe medications and perform eye surgeries, too.

Which eye care professional should you see: an optometrist or an ophthalmologist?

An optometrist is a suitable professional to visit if you do not require specialized medical or surgical treatment. However, it is essential to see an ophthalmologist if you are experiencing an eye problem such as cataracts or macular degeneration. Ophthalmologists are highly trained and skilled at monitoring and treating eye conditions that require specialized care and attention. If your situation requires medical or surgical care, only an ophthalmologist, who is a licensed medical doctor, can provide it. 

Optometrists may recommend you visit an ophthalmologist if your condition requires specialized medical attention. However, most optometrists can also treat common eye problems such as infections or dry eyes and some chronic eye diseases like glaucoma.

Co-management is a collaborative approach where an optometrist and an ophthalmologist work together to provide medical treatment. In this approach, the primary care eye professional, typically an optometrist, refers you to an ophthalmologist for a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan. Depending on the situation, the ophthalmologist may treat the problem medically, perform eye surgeries, or do both in some cases. After the surgical or medical treatment is over, the optometrist may monitor and perform post-surgery treatments. Co-management can be a great solution if you prefer to receive treatment from your primary eye care professional. However, visiting an ophthalmologist for conditions requiring specialized care is best. 

When should you visit an optometrist?

It's important to maintain regular eye care irrespective of whether you wear glasses or lenses. Regular eye exams aid in detecting eye conditions and diseases early on, which can help in preserving your vision. Visit an optometrist near you for the following reasons:

• If you think you need corrective lenses, contacts, or eyeglasses
• If you have a chronic disease like diabetes that has a greater correlation with eye diseases
• If you need a medical prescription for your eyes

You should also visit an optometrist if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Pain in the eyes
• Blurred or double vision
• Impaired vision
• Irritation or redness in the eyes
• Seeing floaters or specks that float before your eyes
• Flashes of light

An optometrist may sometimes recommend visiting an ophthalmologist if you have a severe eye condition that does not heal with basic primary care.

How often should you get your eyes examined?

Regular eye and vision checkups are important to ensure that ocular problems are detected and addressed promptly by an optometrist or healthcare provider. The frequency of these checkups can vary depending on your age:

• Children need eye exams in the first year of life and then annually or every two years.
• Adults (18-55 years): should go for eye exams every one or two years.
• Adults older than 55 years need to get their eyes checked annually.

If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, eye specialists recommend you undergo more frequent eye exams. Consult with your optometrist to determine the appropriate frequency for your individual needs. 

Maintaining eye health while working from home

Maintaining sound eye health while working from home is important, especially as many people spend long hours in front of computer screens. Prolonged screen exposure can result in a condition known as computer vision syndrome, resulting in eye strain. Here are some tips to help protect your eyes and reduce eye strain:

• Ensure good posture: Your posture and eye health are interrelated. Maintaining the correct sitting position while working on the screen serves as your initial defense against eye strain. Ensure your feet are flat on the ground and your wrists are slightly elevated instead of resting on the keyboard. Position your screen just below your natural eye level.

• Adjust your lighting: Sometimes people do not realize it, but room lighting matters greatly, even if the screen is backlit. Extremely bright or dim light can contribute to eye strain and headaches. Set the brightness of your screen to a level where you can read comfortably without squinting, striking a balance between clarity and comfort. It is also essential to minimize glare. Glare can significantly impact your ability to perform your daily tasks.

• Increase your font size: Should you find yourself squinting to read text on the computer screen, consider enlarging the font size. It can minimize eye strain and prevent stress. If budget allows, you can also go for a larger monitor, as this naturally scales up the size of whatever you are working on.

• Blink more: Research indicates that, on average, people only blink about five to seven times per minute when using computers and other digital screens. A reduction in blinking can lead to irritation, dryness, reduced vision, discomfort, and a loss of concentration, ultimately affecting productivity. Hence, making a conscious effort to blink more during screen time is crucial. It helps maintain eye moisture and is vital for overall eye health.

However, if you experience persistent eye problems, consult an eye care professional immediately for guidance and treatment.

Finding the best optometrist near you in Tucson, Arizona

To receive the best eye care, finding the most suitable optometrist is essential. If you live in Tucson, Arizona, Zocdoc is an excellent resource that can help with your search. 

Zocdoc offers a database of millions of doctors in and around your area and can recommend the best doctor for your specific needs. By using the search filters on Zocdoc, such as location, specialty, appointment availability, zip code, and insurance carrier plans, you can narrow down your search and find the best optometrist for your needs. 

Once you have shortlisted a doctor, you can view their detailed profile, including their education, expertise, years of experience, and additional certifications, to help you make an informed decision. Additionally, Zocdoc includes patient reviews to further aid in your decision-making. 

Locating a top-rated optometrist near you is now easier! Zocdoc is user-friendly, secure, and free to use.

Optometrist statistics in Tucson, Arizona

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the state of Arizona, approximately 1,59,000 people reported blindness or severe vision impairment even after wearing glasses. According to a report published by IBIS World, the optometrist market size in Arizona is $393714.24 billion. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, In May 2022, approximately 980 licensed optometrists were practicing in Arizona. 

Sources

WebMD

Cleveland Clinic

Healthline

All About Vision

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

IBIS World

Verywell Health

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.