Optometrist
Optometrists are health professionals who diagnose and treat vision problems and diseases of the eye. An optometrist is not a medical doctor, but rather a doctor of optometry (OD).
Optometrists can perform routine vision testing, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, diagnose vision problems and eye disease, prescribe medications to treat some diseases of the eye, and provide care before and after eye surgery.
Optometrists must complete at least 3 years of undergraduate work and 4 years of optometry school. They must take a national licensing examination and are licensed by the state in which they practice.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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