Do you sometimes find the letters blurry when reading a book or newspaper? Or is it difficult to clearly read something like a name on a board or a bus number that is a little far away? Maybe your eyes are always sore, red, or just tired? At times like these, we get a little confused about who to ask for help and where to go. That is why we are talking about this important topic today to find the answer to that question.
Who is this Optometrist?
Simply put, an optometrist is a specialist who specializes in your eyes and vision. They are the ones who examine your eyes, check for any vision problems, diagnose eye conditions, and prescribe the necessary treatments.
Now you may be thinking, "So is an Optometrist a doctor?" Yes, the answer to that question is, an Optometrist is an eye doctor. However, they are not like your family doctor (Primary Care Physician - PCP) who you usually go to for a cold or flu.
Doctors, as we usually know them, have a medical degree (MD). But an optometrist has a doctorate in optics (Doctor of Optometry - OD) . This means that they do not go to a general medical school, but to a university that specializes in optometry for four years to complete this degree. Before that, they also complete a general science degree. Therefore, they have a deep knowledge of the structure, function, diseases, and vision problems of the eye.
What services can you get from an optometrist?
An optometrist's main job is to check your eyes for health and vision. They can diagnose and treat eye diseases and vision problems.
When you visit an optometrist, they will examine your eyes and prescribe the necessary treatments. The most important of these are:
- Eyeglasses: We will find the number that exactly matches your vision impairment and prescribe glasses accordingly.
- Contact lenses: For those who don't like glasses, contact lenses are prescribed to suit their eyes and lifestyle.
- Low vision aids: For those whose vision is severely impaired due to certain medical conditions, special devices are recommended to help them perform their daily tasks.
- Eye Medications: They can also prescribe medications for conditions such as eye infections, dryness, and allergies.
But here's something very important for all of us to remember. An optometrist does not typically perform eye surgery. If you need surgery, such as cataract removal, your optometrist will refer you to an eye surgeon (Ophthalmologist).
What medical conditions can an optometrist diagnose?
An optometrist can diagnose many common problems and conditions related to the eyes and vision. Let's break these down into two categories.
| The nature of the problem | Examples and simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Common Vision Issues | |
| Nearsightedness / Myopia | Although close objects appear clear, distant objects (e.g. bus signs, letters on TV) appear blurry. |
| Farsightedness / Hyperopia | Seeing distant objects clearly, but not seeing close objects (e.g., reading a book, looking at the phone) clearly. |
| Astigmatism | Vision becomes slightly blurred and distorted at both near and far due to a change in the shape of the eye's lens. |
| Double vision (Diplopia) | Seeing one object as two. This can be a sign of a serious illness. |
| Presbyopia (nearsightedness) as you age | Difficulty seeing near after the age of 40 due to the decrease in flexibility of the lens of the eye. |
| Amblyopia / Lazy eye | Vision in one eye is weaker than the other at a young age. Early detection and treatment are important. |
| Color blindness | Inability to correctly identify some colors, especially red and green. |
| Eye Diseases | |
| Eye infections | Bacterial or viral infections that cause symptoms such as red eyes, watery eyes, and itching. |
| Glaucoma | A serious condition that can damage the optic nerve and gradually lead to vision loss due to increased pressure inside the eye. |
| Cataracts | Blurred vision due to clouding of the lens of the eye. This occurs mostly in older people. |
| Issues with your retina | Damage to the retina due to diseases such as diabetes. |
| Macular degeneration | As we age, damage to the macula, a part of the retina, causes loss of central vision. |
How often should you have your eyes checked?
Even if you think there is nothing wrong, it is still important to have your eyes checked at regular intervals . This can help detect some serious conditions (like glaucoma) before symptoms appear. The general timing of eye exams varies depending on your age.
- Young children: Your child should have their eyes checked by a pediatrician before they start school. If you suspect there is a problem, you can get them checked earlier. After that, it is usually a good idea to have them checked once a year.
- Adults between the ages of 18-65: Getting your eyes checked once a year or two is sufficient.
- People over the age of 65: It is essential to have your eyes checked at least once a year, as the risk of developing eye diseases is higher at this age.
But remember, if you already wear glasses or contact lenses , or have a medical condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, you may need to have your eyes checked more often. It's best to ask your doctor about this.
If you have these symptoms, definitely see a doctor.
Your eyes are a precious asset. So never ignore any change in your vision or any new symptoms. If you have any of the symptoms below, see an optometrist or doctor as soon as possible.
- Blurry vision: If your vision suddenly or gradually feels blurry.
- Red eye: If the eyes are constantly red.
- Eye pain: If there is pain in or around the eyes.
- Double vision: Seeing two things at once.
- Light sensitivity / Photophobia: Difficulty looking at normal light, eyes turning blue.
- New eye flashes or floaters: If you suddenly see lights or objects like spider webs floating in front of your eyes.
- Sudden change in vision: If your vision suddenly becomes very bad, as you understand it.
What is the difference between an Optometrist and an Optician?
This is also something that many people get confused about. Let's understand it simply.
- Optometrist: As we mentioned earlier, this is the eye doctor. He or she will examine your eyes, diagnose diseases, and prescribe glasses or medication.
- Optician: This is not a doctor. An optician is a technician who takes the glasses prescribed by an optometrist, makes them to the exact number, chooses a frame that fits your face, and adjusts them for you. To be precise, an optician does the same thing as a pharmacy that fills out prescriptions for you. They do things like make glasses, adjust them, and replace them.
So if you want to get your eyes checked, you need to go to an Optometrist . If you want to get your glasses adjusted, you need to go to an Optician .
Take-Home Message
- An optometrist is a doctor who specializes in the eyes and vision, diagnosing and treating eye diseases.
- They usually do not perform surgery. For that, they will refer you to an eye surgeon (Ophthalmologist).
- Even if there are no symptoms, it is very important to have your eyes checked at regular intervals (especially as you age).
- Never ignore symptoms such as blurred vision, eye pain, or sudden black spots before your eyes. See a doctor immediately.
- An optometrist is a person who examines the eyes and prescribes treatment. An optician is a technician who makes the prescribed glasses.
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