More About Optometrists | Eye Doctors

Clinically, optometrists aim to provide solutions to patients with eye disorders.

First, patients are subjected to general eye examinations in which the eye doctor takes the patient’s medical history of their eye problems and issues. Following this, the eyes are checked for refractive errors and a visual acuity test is carried out to evaluate the eyesight. If required, eyeglasses or contact lenses of the calculated refractive status of the eyes are prescribed, in order to attain proper vision.

In addition to visual testing, eye doctors / optometrists perform the following functions:

• Observance of eye disease: Using the ophthalmoscope, optometrists detect diseases related to the eyes such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other diseases that are associated with eye functions such as diabetes and hypertension. If irregularities persist in the detection, the patient is subjected to further special tests. For example, estimation of eye pressure in patients with glaucoma.
• Prescribing drugs for diseases: For management of ocular disorders and treatment of glaucoma, optometrists are certified to prescribe the topical form of pharmaceutical drugs like antibiotics, antihistamines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and others. 
• Contact lens professionals: Eye doctors who are professionals in handling contact lenses for abnormal shape of cornea also prescribe special contact lenses like toric and varifocal lenses for patients.