Optometrists, also known as a Doctors of Optometry or Optometric Physicians, are trained to examine, diagnose, treat and manage disorders that affect the eye or vision.
After attending a university or college for their undergraduate education, optometry students concentrate specifically on the structure, function and disorders of the eye for 4 additional years during their graduate education to earn their doctoral degree. This totals 8 years of college.
While concentrating on the eye and visual system, optometrists also study general health in courses such as human anatomy, biochemistry and physiology.
As primary eye care providers, doctors of optometry are an integral part of the health care team, earning their doctoral degree just as dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other doctors do.
In addition to their formal, doctoral-level training, all optometrists participate in ongoing continuing education courses to stay current on the latest standards of care and to maintain their licenses to practice. Optometry is one of the only doctoral-level health care professions to require continuing education in every state for license renewal.
Upon completion of optometry school, candidates graduate from their accredited college of optometry and hold the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Optometrists must pass a rigorous national examination administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). The three-part exam includes basic science, clinical science and patient care.
In addition to being the experts on eye and vision diseases and disorders, doctors of optometry have the education and training to diagnose the ocular manifestations of diseases that affect the entire body, such as diabetes and hypertension. They also are qualified to evaluate their patients for surgery when appropriate and often manage their patients' care pre- and post-operatively. Optometrists should not be confused with Ophthalmologists who are eye surgeons, or Opticians who fit eyeglasses. All three often work together as a team to give you the best eye care.
Portions from the American Optometric Association.