What do Optometrists do on a daily basis?
What are Optometrists?
An optometrist is a healthcare professional who specializes in patient vision and eye health. Optometrists are trained to diagnose, prevent and treat vision problems. They can also fit you for glasses or contact lenses and perform eye surgery when necessary. Optometrists are often the first people to spot and diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. They can also help prevent serious eye problems by fitting patients for glasses or contact lenses that correct vision issues. If you’d like to find an Optometrist in Burnsville MN, contact Insight Vision Care today.
Eye Exams
Optometrists are the primary eye care providers for children, adults and seniors. They can perform complete eye exams that include tests of visual acuity (sharpness of vision), refractive error (eye focusing power), color vision, peripheral vision and ocular health. Visual field testing is also included in many professional optometric examinations. Eye exams are important because they can detect and diagnose many eye diseases, such as cataracts, diabetes and glaucoma. Optometrists also prescribe corrective lenses for people with refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Treat Diseases and Disorders
Optometrists are trained to diagnose and treat many eye diseases and disorders. This includes prescribing medications to treat infections, inflammation and other problems of the eyes. They can also prescribe corrective lenses for people with refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Sometimes, eye disorders or diseases may not be immediately apparent. If you have a chronic eye problem like glaucoma or cataracts, your optometrist will likely suggest regular follow-up exams. In addition to treating diseases and disorders of the eyes, optometrists are trained to detect signs of other health problems that may be affecting your vision, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Work with Ophthalmologists to provide the Best Care Possible
If you have a complex eye problem or disease, an optometrist may refer you to an ophthalmologist for further treatment. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who have received additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye. Ophthalmologists can perform surgeries on the eyes, prescribe medication as well as perform diagnostic tests such as OCT (optical coherence tomography), fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical biometry.
Register Prescriptions
If you have a vision prescription for glasses or contact lenses, bring it with you to the appointment. If you’re unsure if your prescription is up to date, ask your eye care provider. They may be able to update it at their office or recommend another place where they can do so. In addition, optometrists can give you a brand new prescription if you suspect your vision isn’t perfect.
Dispense Glasses and Contacts
If you’d like to order new glasses or contacts, optometrists can do so at their office. They may have a variety of brands and styles available for you to choose from. You can also ask them if they have any discounts on these products. For many glasses-wearers, being able to try glasses on in-person is the best way to find a new set of frames. If you’re not sure what kind of frames you want, optometrists can help you find the right style. They also have a variety of contact lenses to choose from if you wear contacts instead of glasses. Once your new pair arrives, they will clean and adjust them for free. If you wear glasses but still have trouble seeing things clearly without them, contact lenses may be a good option for you.
Cataract Screening
If your family has a history of cataracts, or you’re over the age of 40, you may want to get a cataract screening from your optometrist. This eye exam will help determine if there is any damage to your lens that may need to be removed or replaced. Cataracts can cause blurry vision, and they can develop over time if not treated. If you have a cataract, your optometrist may recommend surgery to remove it or replace it with an artificial lens. They may also prescribe eye drops to help manage any symptoms that arise from having cataracts.
Retinal Photography
If you have a family history of glaucoma or macular degeneration, your optometrist may recommend that you get a retinal photography. This test will help them detect any damage to your retina and can help them diagnose eye diseases like these at an early stage. Retinal photography is a noninvasive test that uses a special camera to take pictures of your retina. The light from this camera passes through your pupil and reflects off the back of your eye onto film, which takes several pictures in quick succession. The optometrist will look over these photos to see if there are any signs of damage on the retina or other abnormalities that may indicate an eye disease such as glaucoma.
At Insight Vision Care, we would be happy to help you and your family with all your vision needs. Whether it’s comprehensive eye exams, eye surgery, treatment plans, eyewear, or a different need, Insight Vision Care is always here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services, or to get your questions about eye care answered.
Optometrist in Burnsville MN
Optometrist in Burnsville MN
Optometrist in Burnsville MN