Optometry is a medical science that studies the eyes, eye structure, and vision. An optometrist is a trained doctor that is licensed in the treatment and care of human eyes. It is recommended that most people with healthy eyes visit their optometrist at least once a year, as the signs of degeneration and other diseases can set in quickly. In order to practice in the United States, an optometrist must have completed four years of optometry school after completing three years of an accredited college or university. After graduation, state exams and evaluations are given and passed before a license is issued.
In an office setting, an optometrist is responsible for testing the vision of patients by way of various testing equipment and and in office exam. Optometrist often find the onset of major diseases like diabetes long before they set in to the body because symptoms seem to arise in the eyes in many cases. An optometrists is actually licensed to diagnose diabetes and other systemic diseases like hypertension, without referring the patient to a medical doctor. If an abnormality of vision or disease is discovered, the optometrist is responsible for treating and prescribing medicines to for eye disease. Vision corrective lenses are also prescribed for those with less than perfect vision, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Those diagnosed with these problems are almost always prescribed corrective lenses in the form of eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Though an optometrist can diagnose and treat a problem, he or she may not perform surgical procedures. Only a license ophthalmologist can operate on the eyes. An optometrist can however, treat patients with post-surgical care. Because of this, many optometrists and ophthalmologists choose to open joint practices, referring patients to one another for specific forms of care.
An optometrist is also responsible for running an office, including keeping up with patient records, maintaining equipment integrity, keeping a sanitized environment, and managing a help staff. The work can be overwhelming at time, and an optometrist may elect to hire an office manager or optometrist assistant to help ease the workload.
Most optometrists see their patients a minimum of once per year, with prescriptions generally expiring after that time period. Many insurance companies have vision plans, though the cost of basic exam and prescription is relatively low in most cities. The wait time for an appointment can be anywhere from one day to one month, depending upon the reputation and experience of the optometrist being seen.
If you are unsure of whether or not you need to see an optometrist or your normal doctor please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our office is in Ogden.
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