Reasons to See an Optometrist

Optometry is a branch of vision science that involves the diagnosis and management of ocular diseases and disorders. Optometrists, who are usually referred to as opticians, study the physiology of the eyes, visual processes, and principles of optics in connection with one’s visual performance.

Optometrists examine how the eyes and brain interact with one another to produce vision. They also check for refractive errors by using lenses or prisms. They may prescribe drugs to treat eye disease. They prescribe corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses). In some states, they also can perform certain types of low vision rehabilitation. Below are more details on the services you can expect from a Maitland optometry practice.

• Clinical Eye Care

After diagnosing one’s eye defects, optometrists can treat common conditions such as conjunctivitis, dry eyes, and pink eye. They may prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision devices, and medications for treating eye diseases and disorders. Many times, optometrists treat people with more severe conditions such as macular degeneration or cataracts. Suppose the situation is too complicated to be treated by an optometrist; in that case, they may refer their patients to a medical doctor who specializes in eye care, an ophthalmologist.

• Eye Glasses

An optometrist can prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. Many people are happy to hear that an optometrist has the authority to give you glasses because they do not have to go through another doctor before getting new glasses. Optometrists are trained to provide eyeglasses for people with all levels of prescriptions, including different vision conditions. They can prescribe contact lenses for issues such as astigmatism and other defects.

• Contact Lenses

If you are interested in contact lenses, an optometrist can provide this service for you. They can prescribe both soft and rigid gas permeable lenses for vision correction. Soft contacts come in many varieties, including disposable or extended wear contacts that you can wear overnight. An optometrist may suggest using daily disposable contacts if they feel people have trouble cleaning and storing their contact lenses. Rigid gas-permeable (RGP or GP) lenses are often used to correct vision that soft contacts cannot fix.

• Glaucoma Testing

Optometrists are trained to diagnose glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. Glaucoma is an eye disease that involves damage to the optic nerve, leading to loss of vision. It is essential to know if you have early signs of glaucoma so patients can seek treatment before the condition progresses.

• Diabetic Eye Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

Optometrists are trained to manage diabetic eye disease and often overlooked complications that can affect people with diabetes. Diabetic eye disease is when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the eyes and can result in blindness if left untreated. An optometrist can check your eyes for early signs of diabetic eye disease, which may prevent further vision loss.

In summary, an optometrist is a medical professional who takes care of the physiological wellbeing of the eye. They offer a wide range of services, including clinical eye care, glaucoma testing, diabetic eye disease diagnosis and treatment, contact lenses, and eyeglasses.

Clare Louise