What Is an Optometrist?

An optometrist is a vision care professional who examines, diagnoses, and treats disorders and diseases of the eye. Think of them as a “primary care” provider for your eyes.

Well, that’s the nutshell answer. To give you an even better understanding of optometrists, this article will take a deeper dive. We’ll explain the services an optometrist provides and when you should see one (as opposed to other types of eye care providers). We’ll also discuss their education and background.

Is an Optometrist a Doctor?

Yes, an optometrist holds a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, so they can be referred to as an eye doctor. However, optometrists aren’t medical doctors—they don’t have a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD).

What Does an Optometrist Do?

Optometrists provide a wide range of services, which run the gamut from providing routine checkups to treating chronic conditions. The types of medications that optometrists can prescribe and the specific procedures they can perform vary from state to state.

An optometrist’s services can include:

• Conducting comprehensive eye exams
• Performing contact lens exams and fittings
• Diagnosing and managing eye conditions and abnormalities
• Prescribing corrective lenses (e.g., single-vision glasses, readers, progressives, and contact lenses)
• Prescribing medications to treat ocular conditions
• Evaluating and monitoring secondary eye conditions associated with systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease)
• Providing pre- or post-operative care
• Providing vision therapy for binocular vision disorders
• Performing in-office procedures (e.g., removing foreign bodies, epilating lashes, placing punctal plugs, draining styes)
• Counseling patients on general eye health

When To See an Optometrist

You should see an optometrist for all of your routine eye care needs, including annual eye examinations and vision correction. They can diagnose, treat, and manage almost any eye-related condition.

If you have a condition that requires further testing or surgical intervention, then you may be referred to an ophthalmologist or specialist. But if you do end up needing a specialist referral, an optometrist is often the person who’ll give it to you—so, they’re the first stop on the road to ocular health.

How To Become an Optometrist

To become an optometrist, you have to obtain a Doctorate of Optometry (OD) degree. An OD degree requires four years of optometry graduate school.

Most students obtain a bachelor’s degree before applying to optometry school, but some optometry schools only require a certain amount of undergraduate work. An entrance exam called the Optometry Admission Test, or OAT, is also required in order to apply.

Optometry school entails both coursework and clinical rotations. During their training, student doctors become practiced at performing eye exams as well as diagnosing and treating ocular conditions.

After earning their doctorate, some optometrists choose to continue their education with a residency or fellowship. These programs focus on specialties such as ocular disease, specialty contact lens fittings, and pediatrics.

Before practicing, an optometrist must become licensed by passing the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam. Some states require additional exams, such as local clinical or law tests.

Once practicing, optometrists have to keep their license up to date with continuing education. An optometrist can choose to become board certified through the American Board of Optometry.

Your Optometrist Is Your First Stop for Eye Care

The key takeaway? Just remember that for pretty much anything eye-related, your optometrist can be your trusted first stop. If you do need a specialist’s help, your optometrist can point you in the right direction. Book an appointment today to set up a time to talk to an optometrist near you.