Who is an optometrist?
If you have trouble with clear vision, often have headaches, squint or rub your eyes, then an optometrist is the right person to meet. An optometrist is a professional involved in the correction of vision defects (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia), diagnoses binocular vision disorders (strabismus, heterophoria – hidden strabismus) as well as accommodation disorders, and conducts vision therapy (vision therapy, OVT). An optometrist can also be a contactologist, i.e., deal with the application of contact lenses.
On the website of the Polish Society of Optometry and Optics, we can find the international definition of the optometry profession adopted by the International Agreement of Optometric and Optical Functions:
“An optometrist is an autonomous, educated, and regulated profession within the healthcare system, practicing in the field of refractive and visual aid examination, as well as diagnosing and proper management in case of eye diseases and rehabilitation of the visual system.”
On the website of the The World Council of Optometry (WCO),
we can read:
“Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated, and regulated (licensed/registered), and optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.
An optometrist has successfully undertaken an advanced level of relevant higher education, with the award of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a tertiary-level educational institution.”
In practice, an optometrist deals with very precise correction of vision defects, taking into account disorders of binocular vision and accommodation.
Why is a comprehensive eye examination - including binocular vision and accommodation disorders - so important?
Comfortable vision depends not only on achieving satisfactory visual acuity. It’s enough for our eyes to focus too slowly or to be unable to maintain sharp vision up close (accommodation disorders) for a longer period, and despite the lack of a vision defect and excellent distance visual acuity, we may experience a range of discomforts that effectively prevent us from efficient work and good well-being.
The optometrist thoroughly examines the visual system, allowing for a prescription that takes into account all visual parameters. Sometimes glasses are not needed, but properly selected visual exercises, after which accommodation or binocular vision will improve, and we will get rid of eye pain, headaches, double vision, and other ailments.
Is an Optometrist also an Ophthalmologist?
An optometrist is a medical profession, however, optometrists do not diagnose and treat eye diseases (glaucoma, cataracts, AMD, and others). Both an optometrist and an ophthalmologist can specialize in contactology, i.e., they apply contact lenses. If we are concerned about symptoms related to deteriorated vision, temporary blurring of the image, or need new glasses, it’s better to visit an optometrist. If we would like to have an examination of the eye fundus, intraocular pressure, or a visual field test, I recommend a visit to an ophthalmologist.
Optometrist - What Specific Education Should They Have?
An optometrist is someone who has obtained a master’s degree in optometry or has completed postgraduate studies in optometry. This profession is included in the healthcare system.
Can an Optometrist Examine Children?
A separate article was written on this topic – I invite you to read it! – click!