What Does an Optometrist Do?
Your optometrist is your primary healthcare provider regarding your eye health and wellness.
In Canada, they’re the eye-care professional responsible for testing your visual acuity and prescribing corrective eyewear such as glasses and contact lenses.
According to the BC Doctors of Optometry, your optometrist will:
- Provide an optometric eye exam
- Examine, assess, measure, and diagnose disorders and diseases within the human eye such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration
- Recognize and co-manage related systemic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and brain tumours.
- Test visual acuity and prescribe corrective eyewear such as glasses and contact lenses.
- Remove foreign bodies from the eye
- Provide referrals to secondary specialists, such as ophthalmologist, for treatment of systemic disease or eye surgery when necessary
- Co-manage pre and post-operative care for laser vision correction and ocular diseases with ophthalmologists.
Regular visits to your optometrist are important to monitor your eye health and help you experience crisp vision. A comprehensive eye exam is recommended annually if you’re under the age of 19 or over the age of 65. For adults aged 19 – 64, an eye exam every two years is recommended.
Book a comprehensive eye exam today!
You can also contact an optometrist if you’re experience a sudden change in vision, eye pain, redness, or have a foreign body in your eye. Your optometrist will help asses your condition and offer management options. Depending on the severity, you may be referred to a secondary specialist, such as an ophthalmologist.
At times, it can be confusion to navigate our healthcare system. If you’re unsure whether you need to see an optometrist or have questions about having a comprehensive eye exam, please contact us.
