Eye Care Services

Medical Eye Care

Medical Eye Care

What is the difference between a comprehensive eye exam and a routine eye exam?

Comprehensive eye exams not only determine your best state of vision, both corrected and uncorrected, but also evaluate the health of your eyes. In many cases, systemic diseases such as diabetes and MS are first seen in the delicate structures of the eye. Eye disease can also start before any noticeable symptoms. It is important to have yours eyes checked as recommended. Folks with diabetes and a family history of eye diseases should be especially diligent. Students and athletes with high visual demands also require extra care.

What is Medical Optometry?

Optometry today is trained to treat a variety of eye diseases and syndromes. Treating and relieving dry eyes, glaucoma, and Age-related Macular Degeneration are just some of the reasons people see their eye doctor.

What is an optometrist?

Doctors of Optometry (O.D.s/optometrists) are the independent primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.

 

  • Doctors of Optometry prescribe medications, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and perform certain surgical procedures.
  • Optometrists counsel their patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options that meet their visual needs related to their occupations, avocations, and lifestyle.
  • An optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Some optometrists complete an optional residency in a specific area of practice.
  • Optometrists are eye health care professionals state-licensed to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system.
    Source: the American Optometric Association. Visit aoa.org for more information.