Careers in Optometry
What
do Doctors of Optometry do?
Doctors of
optometry (optometrists/optometric physicians) represent
the largest eye care profession in the United States and
provide most of the primary vision care. Dr.
George
Foster, Creek,
Muskogee/Creek, Dean of Northeastern State University
Oklahoma College of Optometry, says, “The scope of care
has been expanding. Oklahoma optometrists care for most
eye conditions for most people most of the time.”
Optometrists exam both the internal and external structures
of the eye and do tests to evaluate their patients’ vision.
Based on their findings, they diagnose, treat and manage
disorders, diseases, and injuries of the visual system, the
eye and associated structures. Optometrists treat clarity
problems, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness; visual
skill problems, such as the inability to move, align,
fixate and focus the eyes; and eye problems and diseases,
such as infections, corneal abrasions, glaucoma and ulcers.
Depending on their patients’ problems, optometrists may
prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, low vision aids,
or vision therapy. In some cases they prescribe medication
and perform certain surgical procedures.
Optometrists care for people before and after eye surgery,
and they educate their patients about ways to prevent eye
problems. For example, they encourage people to wear
sunglasses in sunlight and to wear protective eye coverings
in certain work settings. They also encourage parents to
monitor their children’s visual development. Sometimes
optometrists are the first health professionals to identify
serious diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, which
can be detected in the eye.
Although most optometrists provide general eye and vision
care, some optometrists have specialized practices in such
areas as pediatrics, geriatrics, contact lenses, low vision
services for visually impaired patients, occupational
vision, sports vision or vision therapy. Some optometrists
educate optometry students on a full-time or part-time
basis. Others do research.
Optometrists practice alone or with one or more partners or
in health clinic group practices. Some practice on teams
with other health professionals, for example,
ophthalmologists, opticians, family physicians, nurses, and
podiatrists. Optometrists work in urban, suburban and rural
settings in private practices, clinics, hospitals, schools
and colleges of optometry, the ophthalmic industry, the
military, public health, the Veteran Administration and in
Tribal and government service.
What
opportunities are available?
Good
vision is highly valued and needed. Lack of good vision can
interfere with learning, work, social relationships and
more. “Vision is one of God’s most precious gifts,” says
Foster. “Optometrists are the first line of defense against
blindness.”
Everyone needs regular eye care to prevent, detect, and
manage eye disease. Most people 45 years of age or older
require vision correction. Older Americans also tend to
have more age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts,
glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy
and macular degeneration.
Many more optometrists are required to address the growing
eye care needs of the U.S. population. New optometrists are
also needed to replace the nearly one quarter of practicing
optometrists who are approaching retirement age.
American Indians and Alaska Natives are underrepresented
among optometric students and practicing clinicians. Many
Native populations need more optometrists.
“The future of optometry is exciting,” Foster continues.
“Optometry is a growth profession. We are able to provide
needed services to humanity.”
This article
was originally published in the Summer 2008 issue of
Winds of Change. The cover
artist, Brent Greenwood, Chicakasaw/Ponca, lives in Edmond,
Oklahoma.
The photographs for this and other articles about optometry
were taken by Peter Henshaw.