Optometrists

Optometry is a branch medicine that focuses on the study of vision and eye care. An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry, an O.D., and is a health care professional who is licensed to prescribe and fit lenses to improve vision, and to diagnose and treat various eye diseases. Optometrists provide a number of services including the examination and diagnosis of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal diseases.

An eye doctor can also diagnose related systemic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that may affect the eyes; and may examine, diagnose and treat visual conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. One of the more common service provided by optometrists is to prescribe eye glasses, contact lenses, and provide low vision rehabilitation and medications. Any optical conditions requiring surgical or secondary medical treatment will be referred to an ophthalmologist, who is an eye specialist who is a Doctor of Medicine or M.D.

Optometrists often practice from a retail premise, where they can offer a wide range of eye glasses and contact lenses, as well as quality sun glasses and often safety and specialty glasses. Optometrists will conduct regular testing of eye patients and provide them with prescriptions for the provision of corrective eye glasses and contact lenses.