What is an optometrist?

An optometrist provides eye exams, diagnoses and treats ocular diseases, prescribes glasses and contacts, and performs other eye care services. Like an ophthalmologist, an optometrist may be referred to as an eye doctor.

Optometrists have a level of training similar to that of a dentist. They must have a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and a license to practice optometry in their state. 

What does an optometrist do?

An optometrist provides comprehensive eye exams and general vision care services. This includes diagnosing eye conditions (such as refractive errors, cataracts and glaucoma) and prescribing corrective lenses, low vision aids and medications for eye issues. 

Optometrists may also diagnose and treat eye infections (such as pink eye) and minor eye injuries, such as a scratched eye (corneal abrasion). They may also treat causes of eye irritation, such as flushing dust or other irritants out of the eye.

Optometrists provide many of the same services that ophthalmologists do, but they are not medical doctors and typically cannot perform advanced eye surgeries. For more complex cases, such as eye conditions requiring advanced surgical procedures, they may make a referral to an ophthalmologist. 

Optometrists play an important role in eye health, making routine and urgent eye care more accessible to adults and children every day. 

Education and training of an optometrist

To become a licensed optometrist in the United States, you must attend and receive a degree from an accredited school or college of optometry. This involves four years of study and hands-on clinical experience.

Generally, admission to optometry school may require:

• A four-year degree from a college or university (unless you’re in a dual-degree program)
• An acceptable score on an optometry college admissions test
• An application process with references and an interview

Some optometrists also choose to complete a residency in a specific area of practice, such as cornea and contact lenses, pediatric optometry, or low vision rehabilitation.

As a comparison, the eight-year education requirement to become an optometrist — a college degree, followed by four years of professional school (unless a dual-degree program is completed) — is similar to that required to become a dentist.

In addition to graduating from optometry school, optometrists must pass national board exams and get licensed in their state before they can practice optometry.

Services provided by optometrists

Optometrists offer a range of vision care services, including eye exams, vision correction and management of eye diseases. Services provided by optometrists typically include:

Routine eye exams

An optometrist performs comprehensive eye exams, a cornerstone of eye care. Much more involved than vision screening, a comprehensive eye exam assesses vision and overall eye health. This exam can help an eye doctor diagnose eye diseases early so you can get prompt treatment.

A comprehensive eye exam may include:

• A visual acuity test – Typically involves reading an eye chart with one eye covered so the eye doctor can assess how well you see.
• A prescription test – Requires you to look at the eye chart through a device called a phoropter with different lenses to determine your prescription for corrective lenses.
• An eye pressure check (tonometry) – Tests your intraocular eye pressure (IOP) because high eye pressure can be a sign of glaucoma.
• An eye health assessment – Typically involves examining both the front and back of your eyes using a microscope with a bright light called a slit lamp, as well as handheld lenses. You may receive dilating eye drops to allow a better view of the retina and optic nerve at the back of your eye.
• Other eye tests – May include checking your color vision, peripheral vision and eye movement, as well as how your eyes work together and how your pupils respond to light.

Comprehensive eye exams may be recommended for kids with vision issues or a family history or medical conditions that put them at higher risk for eye disease. Eye exams are recommended at different intervals for adults based on age, eye health and other medical conditions.

Vision correction

Optometrists also prescribe glasses and contact lenses for patients with refractive errors. Common refractive errors may include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens that can cause blurry vision, as well as presbyopia, which makes it harder to see up close with age. 

If you have one or more refractive errors, an optometrist may:

• Diagnose your refractive error or errors
• Determine what type of vision correction you need
• Provide an eyeglasses and/or contact lens prescription
• Perform contact lens fittings and follow-up exams

Your optometrist will likely set a schedule for follow-up visits based on your individual needs. Seeing an optometrist allows you to promptly get the vision correction you need and get up-to-date prescriptions as your eyes change over time.

Diagnosing and managing eye conditions

It’s important to see your eye doctor if you experience any eye or vision issues, such as blurry vision, double vision, floaters, eye itching, pain or redness. In addition to refractive errors, optometrists can diagnose many common eye conditions. Depending on the treatment needed, an optometrist may offer treatment or refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye that are more common with age. An optometrist can diagnose cataracts when checking your eye health during a comprehensive eye exam. Treatment may include new glasses, anti-glare lenses and using brighter lights to focus on tasks. Eventually, you may need to see an ophthalmologist for cataract surgery, in which the lens of your eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can lead to vision loss due to damage to the optic nerve. An optometrist can diagnose glaucoma during a comprehensive vision exam when checking your eye pressure and examining the optic nerve while your eyes are dilated. Treatment for glaucoma may include eye drops, oral medication or referral to an ophthalmologist for surgery.

Macular degeneration

Macular degeneration (also known as age-related macular degeneration or AMD) is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss due to degeneration of the macula, the central part of the retina. An optometrist can diagnose macular degeneration when checking your visual acuity and looking at the retina during a comprehensive eye exam. There is no treatment for the more common “dry” form of macular degeneration, though there is treatment for the less common “wet” form. However, you may be able to slow progression through steps, such as eating a nutritious diet, exercising and avoiding smoking.

Eye infections and inflammation

Optometrists can also diagnose common eye infections, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or a stye. Eye infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Depending on the infection and the cause, treatment may include cool or warm compresses and medications, such as lubricating eye drops, antibiotic/antiviral/antifungal eye drops or ointments.

Other common eye conditions

Other conditions optometrists may diagnose and treat may include amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus, or eye misalignment. They may also treat eye injuries.

Some optometrists may dedicate their practice to a specific type of patient or vision care. For example, a pediatric optometrist specializes in children’s vision and vision therapy. Others may specialize in providing care for people with visual disabilities (low vision). If you need more specialized care, your optometrist may refer you to another optometrist who focuses on one of these areas.

In some cases, your optometrist may refer you to an ophthalmologist. State law determines the scope of services an optometrist can provide. If you need cataract surgery, LASIK or another type of eye surgery, you may need to go to an ophthalmologist.

Optometrist vs. ophthalmologist: What’s the difference?

There is overlap in the eye care services provided by optometrists and ophthalmologists, but also many differences. Here’s a look at these two types of eye doctors, from education and training to services.

Education and training

• Optometrists complete four years of optometry schooling after college (unless they complete a dual-degree program) and receive a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. But they do not attend medical school and are not medical doctors.
• Ophthalmologists complete four years of medical school after college and receive a medical degree — either MD or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). They then go through three or more years of medical and surgical training focused on the eyes. 

Services and roles in eye care

• Optometrists may offer comprehensive eye exams, diagnose many common eye conditions and provide eye care for many chronic eye conditions. They may also perform noninvasive surgical procedures.
• Ophthalmologists may offer comprehensive eye exams and diagnose, treat and manage any eye condition. They can perform eye surgery and handle complex cases, as well as treatment of most eye diseases.

Specialists

• Optometrists may complete an optional one-year residency in a specific area, such as pediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, ocular disease or vision therapy and rehabilitation. In some cases, a primary care optometrist may refer a patient to an optometrist who focuses on a certain area.
• Ophthalmologists may complete an optional fellowship that offers an extra one to two years of specialized, in-depth training in a specific area, such as pediatric ophthalmology, the cornea, the retina, neurology or oculoplastic surgery. A general ophthalmologist may refer a patient to a subspecialist for certain eye diseases, more complex cases or specialized surgery.

Whichever eye doctor you choose, it’s important to have a trusted eye care provider you can visit for regular eye exams and call on if you experience any eye symptoms or vision changes.

When to see an optometrist

Optometrists provide many of the comprehensive eye exams performed in the U.S. and write the majority of eyeglass prescriptions and contact lens prescriptions. Here are some instances where it may make sense to see an optometrist:

• You’re due for a comprehensive eye exam.
• You wear glasses or contact lenses and need an up-to-date prescription.
• You have an eye issue, such as red or itchy eyes or a bump on your eyelid.
• You’ve noticed vision changes, such as seeing worse up close or at night, and want to get your eyes checked.

It may be easier and faster to get an appointment with an optometrist than with a comprehensive ophthalmologist or an ophthalmologist who specializes in a certain eye disease or part of the eye.

When to see an ophthalmologist

You may choose to see an ophthalmologist — or be referred to one by an optometrist or other healthcare provider — if you have a complex or serious eye condition or if you need advanced eye surgery. Here are some situations where it may make sense to choose an ophthalmologist:

• You have a complicated or advanced case of an eye disease, like glaucoma, and your optometrist recommends you see an ophthalmologist.
• You are diagnosed with cataracts that are advanced enough to require cataract surgery from an ophthalmologist.
• You are diagnosed with “wet” macular degeneration, which may be treated with injections by an ophthalmologist.

If you notice a sudden or significant change in your vision, seek care from an eye doctor (optometrist or ophthalmologist) right away. If you have an eye emergency, such as eye trauma, seek emergency eye care immediately.

How to choose the appropriate eye care professional

One eye doctor or type of eye doctor may not be appropriate for everyone. It’s important to select an eye care provider who’s a good fit for you based on your individual eye health needs. To choose an eye doctor, get provider recommendations from trusted sources, check to see if the doctor takes your vision or health insurance and call to set up an appointment to see if they’re a fit. The ideal eye doctor for you may:

• Explain your condition and treatment options clearly
• Listen to your concerns
• Provide detailed answers to your questions
• Work well with you as part of your health care team

In many cases, optometrists and ophthalmologists work together in the same practice. So you might see an optometrist for your comprehensive eye care needs and then see an ophthalmologist for a specific eye condition or for a treatment, such as eye injections or surgery.

The importance of regular eye care

Getting regular comprehensive eye exams from your eye care provider is one of the most important things you can do for good eye health.

An optometrist can play a key role in maintaining good eye and visual health, especially if you have generally healthy eyes or need vision correction. Even if you can see well, one of the most important things you can do to care for your eyes is to have routine comprehensive eye exams so your eye care provider may catch, diagnose and treat any eye conditions as early as possible.

Prioritize your eye health

Making your eye and visual health a priority can help you maintain good vision throughout your life. This can help you with tasks, ranging from driving to reading to hobbies and sports. It’s suggested to practice good daily habits, such as eating nutritious foods, using eye protection and wearing sunglasses that block UV rays that can harm your eyes.

Proper eye habits start with getting regular exams. So, if you’re due for an eye exam, consider contacting your optometrist today to schedule your next visit.