Optometry vs. Optometrist: What’s the Difference?

Optometry is one of the many “O” words that you’ll run into when looking at eye care. And many of you will by the time you reach the age of 40, with an estimated 12 million seeking care each year in the US alone. Put simply, optometry is the science of eye care, and optometrists are the eye doctors who actually practice it.

But what does all this mean to you, the patient? And how is an optometrist similar and different from other types of eye care professionals? In this article, we offer a guide to this critical field of medicine. Let’s begin!

Optometrists Diagnose Eye Problems

Among the many functions that optometrists serve is in diagnosing problems or defects with their patients’ eyes and vision. They do this by conducting comprehensive eye exams.

Optometrists use charts and special equipment to test for refractive issues. They’re also capable of catching eye diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts.

While many consider them the general practitioners of visual health, more and more optometrists are going beyond this to specialize. Common focus areas include low vision rehabilitation, geriatric care, and pediatrics.

Optometrists Prescribe Corrective Lenses

An eye doctor practicing optometry also works with opticians to determine the appropriate prescription, design, and fitting of corrective lenses. The optician takes the information they receive from the optometrist and commences providing care specific to each patient.

No set of eyes are identical. But optometrists are skilled enough in the various conditions and situations to communicate specifics to opticians in a way that can correct many common issues to improve the lives of their patients.

Optometrists Provide Treatment for Some Conditions

Optometrists are a regulated profession that can vary by region, so some professionals under this classification might not go as far as others. B-Town Eyecare (btowneyecare.com), for example, is an optometrist that goes beyond basic care to include corrective surgeries like LASIK and cataracts, while some might instead offer referrals to ophthalmologists specializing in those areas.

Optometrists Differ From Ophthalmologists

An ophthalmologist is seen as a specialist within the eye care industry. This means they are skilled at performing sensitive eye surgeries or offering more advanced treatments for subspecialties like uveitis, pathology, or vision issues stemming from a neurological component.

Ophthalmologists are educated in the visual system as well as the various bodily systems it interacts with. They test for and diagnose a number of visual problems that go beyond the norm. They also frequently participate in research studies to draw a better understanding of the eye and its challenges.

See More Clearly Through the Field of Optometry

Optometry has changed millions of lives for the better over the years. It’s a field where practitioners are committed to getting you the help you need to see better.

That means discovering the right diagnosis, finding and prescribing treatments; offering referrals as needed, and sometimes performing corrective surgery. If you have a visual problem you need addressed, start by going to an optometrist and see what they have to say. For more health and wellness tips, check out some of our additional posts!