What Is Optometry?
Optometry is a branch of health care that focuses primarily on eye examinations and vision tests. An optometrist is a medical professional who has earned the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree after four years of study in optometry school. An optometrist is not a medical doctor (MD). As a field of eye care, optometry involves:
- Prescribing and dispensing corrective lenses and frames
- Detecting certain eye abnormalities, such as ocular disease or macular degeneration
- Prescribing medications for certain eye diseases
Regular eye exams are a vital part of preventive eye care. At the multi-specialty center, you have access to a qualified team.
What’s the Difference Between Optometry and Ophthalmology?
The distinctions between these two branches of eye care include:
- Optometry deals with primary vision care.
- Optometrists specialize in sight testing and diagnosing eye vision issues.
- Optometrists mainly prescribe visual aids, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses, to correct eye vision problems.
- Optometrists are not medical doctors. They provide primary care for eye problems and may refer you to an ophthalmologist for additional or more complex care.
- Ophthalmology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
- Ophthalmologists have earned a degree in medicine, so they’re medical doctors.
- Ophthalmologists are qualified to perform medical and surgical interventions for eye conditions.
What Does Optometry Involve?
When you have a problem with your sight, a specialist provides services that include:
- Annual or routine eye exams and vision testing
- Specific eye exams to investigate a particular complaint
- The diagnosis, treatment and management of vision changes
- Low-vision rehabilitation and vision therapy
- Monitoring any related medical conditions
- Visual aid prescriptions, including eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Management and treatment of some eye conditions, including glaucoma and dry eye
- Minor medical procedures to correct or treat visual or eye health issues
- Counseling services about available surgical and non-surgical options
- Pre- and post-operative care
- A referral to other healthcare providers, as needed
At this center, your team uses latest medical technology for effective diagnostics offering personalized attention, listening to your before deciding on a treatment plan.
What Can I Expect in an Exam?
It involves a thorough eye test to determine the level of your vision loss and to check for diseases or damage within your eye. Regular visits help you maintain proper eye care and sharp vision. Untreated eye problems worsen over time, causing a decrease in your sight. Your vision changes year-to-year, especially as you get older, which is another reason to get your vision tested every year. You can expect:
- A review of your medical history and your medications
- A check on the visual aids you currently use
- An examination of your eyes, using various tests, such as a:
- Basic vision test
- Refraction test
- A slit lamp exam to detect glaucoma
- Ocular motility test
- Depth perception test
- Cover test
