Eye doctors are also known as optometrists. These eye specialists can help you maintain optimal vision health. In order to help you do this, optometrists provide a variety of services.
Here are three types of optometrist services.
1. Perform Routine Eye Exams
One of the most important things you can do to keep your eyes healthy is to see an optometrist for a routine eye exam. During an eye exam, an optometrist will perform several tests to determine how well your eyes are working.
Some of these vision tests include:
- Visual acuity test
- Retinoscopy
- Refraction test
- Keratometry test
- Peripheral visual field test
- Intraocular pressure measurement
During these vision tests, an optometrist will use various instruments, lenses, and lights to get a good look at your eye, including the inside of your eye. These tests will also help an optometrist to catch eye diseases early, which makes them easier to treat.
2. Prescribe Glasses and Other Eyewear
If you have blurry vision or have trouble seeing things far away or close up, there is a good chance you have a refractive error.
Common types of refractive errors include:
- Myopia. Commonly known as nearsightedness, or the inability to see objects far away.
- Hyperopia. Commonly known as farsightedness, or the inability to see object close up.
- Presbyopia. An age-related condition in which the ability to see objects close up gradually fades.
- Astigmatism. The eye's lens or cornea has an imperfection in the curvature, which leads to blurry vision.
Optometrists can correct these kinds of refractive errors by prescribing eyeglasses. Some types of refractive errors may require special lenses, which include bifocals or progressive lenses.
Refractive errors are also corrected by different kinds of contact lenses. Optometrists can also prescribe other types of eyewear, such as sunglasses and digital protective glasses.
3. Treat Eye Conditions
If you experience blurred vision, double vision, eye strain, bloodshot eyes, or light sensitivity, it's a good idea to see an optometrist as these symptoms may indicate that you have an eye condition.
Common eye conditions include:
- Dry eye
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Pink eye
- Eye allergies
Once an optometrist diagnoses the eye condition, they can recommend the proper treatment. Some eye conditions may require prescription eye drops or other medications. Other eye conditions, such as cataracts, may require surgery. Certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma and AMD do not have a cure. However, an optometrist can recommend treatment options to prevent further vision loss.
When you look in the mirror and focus on your eyes, what do you see? Hopefully you see a strong and vibrant person — someone who enjoys and embraces life. Hopefully you also see a set of healthy eyes, although that can be tough to determine just with a glance in the mirror. Eyes can look healthy on the surface when really something sinister is going on inside of them. That's one reason why visiting the eye doctor is so important.
If you would like to learn more about eye health, optometrists, and even contact lenses, you've come to the right place. We curated the articles on this website very carefully to provide you with the best information on these topics.