Optometrist

Optometry is the health care profession concerned with examination, diagnosis, and treatment of the eyes and related structures, and with determination and correction of vision problems using lenses and other optical aids [1].

Optometrists are primary care practitioners for all vision and ocular health concerns. They are trained to diagnose, manage, and treat a multitude of visual and ocular health-related concerns, including, but not limited to, fitting and prescribing spectacles and contact lenses, treating ocular injuries, diagnosing and treating diseases such as glaucoma and diagnosing others such as diabetic retinopathy. In Oklahoma, optometrists have successfully lobbied for legislative rights to perform certain laser procedures.

A common misconception is that optometrists only prescribe corrective lenses. While they are experts in determining one's refractive error and prescribing the appropriate correction, in the United States they are often the gateway into eye care for most eye problems. Optometrists perform comprehensive eye exams and in most cases are capable of diagnosing and treating many of the most common eye disorders whether it be visual or physical. When warranted the appropriate referral is made to a more specialized practitioner.

The three "O"s in eyecare are: opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists. The word optometrist comes from the Greek roots, optos, meaning seen or visible and metria, meaning measurement. An optometrist means "one who measures vision." Oculist is an old word for eye doctor that can refer to either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. An ocularist is a technician that specializes in the fabricating and fitting of artificial eyes.

In the United States, ophthalmologist and optometrist are specific terms referring to specific state licensing and courses of professional study. Optometrists receive the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, and some go on to complete residencies. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who have completed medical school followed by a 3-4 year residency in ophthalmology and have received board certification. Some ophthalmologists perform an additional fellowship in a specific subspecialty of ophthalmology. The American Optometric Association characterizes optometrists as "primary eye care providers." Ophthalmogists may perform major eye surgery while optometrists do not. Recently, changes in some states' laws have led to an overlap in the capabilities of the two professions to treat eye disease with pharmacological agents.

Sub-specialities

• Binocular vision
• Contact lenses
• Vision therapy

• Orthoptics

• Ocular disease
• Low vision
• Geriatrics
• Pediatrics

Schools of optometry

Australia

There are 3 Australian educational institutions offering degrees in optometry:

• Melbourne University [2]
• University of New South Wales [3]
• Queensland University of Technology [4]

Canada

There are 2 Canadian educational institutions offering degrees in optometry:

• University of Waterloo, Ontario[5]
• Université de Montréal, Québec [6]

United Kingdom

There are 8 United Kingdom educational institutions offering degrees in optometry:

• Anglia Polytechnic University [7]
• University of Aston [8]
• University of Bradford [9]
• Cardiff University [10]
• City University [11]
• Glasgow Caledonian University [12]
• University of Manchester [13]
• University of Ulster [14]

United States

There are 17 American educational institutions offering doctorate level programs in optometry. The programs generally have an undergraduate degree as a prerequisite, and then run four years addressing academic and clinical topics.

• University of Alabama at Birmingham [15]
• University of California, Berkeley [16]
• University of Missouri, St. Louis [17]
• University of Houston [18]

• Illinois College of Optometry [19]
• Indiana University [20]
• Inter American University of Puerto Rico [21]
• Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University [22]
• New England College of Optometry [23]
• Northeastern State University [24]
• Nova Southeastern University [25]
• Ohio State University [26]
• Pacific University [27]
• Pennsylvania College of Optometry [28]
• Southern California College of Optometry [29]
• Southern College of Optometry [30]
• State University of New York [31]

See also

• Eyeglass prescription

External links

• American Academy of Optometry
• American Optometric Association
• The General Optical Council
• Optometrists Network
• Review of Optometry
• SDN Optometry Forum