WHAT IS OPTOMETRY?
Optometry is the health-care profession
concerned especially with examining
the eye for defects and faults of
refraction, with prescribing
correctional lenses or eye exercises,
with diagnosing diseases of the eye,
and with treating such diseases or
referring them for treatment
Optometry Specializations
Low vision, pediatric, geriatric,
behavioral, and neuro-optometry
OPTOMETRIST
What is an Optometrist?
Optometrist are health care professionals for
the eyes. They are responsible for eye
examinations, diagnoses, treatments, and the
management of diseases, injuries, and
disorders of the eyes and associated structures.
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What Can Optometrists Do?
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prescribe medications
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low vision rehabilitation
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vision therapy
Schooling:
To become an optometrist you must complete an
undergraduate degree and four years of
professional education at a college of optometry.
Once you become an O.D. you can opt to start
your career or do an optional residency.
PEDIATRIC OPTOMETRY
Pediatric optometry is an ideal specialization for people interested in doing community work. The need for optometrists who work with children is especially heavy in rural areas and urban centers where there is limited access to eye care because of location or poverty. The possibility of opening up a child’s world through the gift of improved eyesight makes this one of the most rewarding specialties in the field.
This is important because there are many children who are born with ocular diseases or they have vision problems from a young age. In addition, families may not be able to afford or access vision care for their child.
Low Vision
A low-vision therapist is an optometrist or ophthalmologist who specializes in examining and diagnosing conditions that affect eyesight but cannot be corrected by conventional means like glasses or contact lenses or even surgery. They usually work as part of a team that includes occupational therapists and mobility/orientation specialists to help a patient make the best use of their remaining vision.
This is important because people who have low vision might not have total vision loss and there is a chance that the patients might be able to regain some of their sight
GERIATRIC EYE CARE
Geriatric- An optometrist specializing in geriatric care must develop skills that include management of degenerative eye disease, rehabilitation of impaired visual functions, assessment of psychosocial dysfunction, and interdisciplinary health team participation.
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This is an important field of optometry to ensure that as individuals age, they are receiving the best visual care to meet their needs. New technologies are constantly being developed to salvage your vision as you age
Behavioral
Behavioral- Behavioral optometry is a vision care specialty that treats vision problems resulting from the stress of sustained, close-range, visual tasks through ocular training and special lenses. Still considered an alternative therapy option and practiced by a minority of optometrists throughout the world, behavioral optometry is a growing specialty because of its success in the treatment of migraines, depression, and panic attacks. It is also becoming a treatment option for children with disabilities.
This is an important field of optometry because of the increased usage of technology including computers, cell phones, tablets, television etc.
Neuro-Optometry
Neuro-optometrists assess the way the brain processes information sent by the eyes. They often work in tandem with an occupational or physical therapist to coordinate vision functions with the rest of body. Treatment could also include work with lenses.