Optometrists are eye care professionals who diagnose and manage vision problems, as well as other eye diseases. Though an optometrist’s role may seem limited to the examination of eyes and the testing of visual acuity, an optometrist’s scope of practice is much broader. Optometrists also provide recommendations on how to reduce your risk for developing certain eye diseases or conditions, but they do not diagnose those conditions. However, an optometrist can refer you to another specialist if further treatment is required for any specific condition you have. In addition, eyewear and contact lenses are appropriate only if you have been tested and diagnosed with a refractive error or visual distortion. Below is a list of services that an optometrist may offer:
Vision Exam
An optometrist will perform a vision exam on you to examine your eyes and determine your visual acuity. During the vision exam, your optometrist will ask you to read letters on an eye chart while they note your visual acuity and their findings from your eye exam. This allows your optometrist to diagnose any refractive errors in your vision, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. While an optometrist can determine your visual acuity and diagnose any refractive errors in your vision, they cannot determine your visual acuity if your vision is 20/20.
Vision Testing
Vision testing is a routine part of an eye exam. An optometrist will use different types of vision tests to determine your visual acuity and diagnose any refractive errors in your vision. Vision tests are non-invasive and painless, and most people do not find them to be an unpleasant experience. The most common vision tests performed by an optometrist include the following: Automatic refraction – This is a test that uses a machine to determine your visual acuity. You will be positioned in front of a machine that will measure your vision and recommend a type of corrective eyewear if needed. The advantage of automatic refraction is that it can be used on both children and adults, even if they are very young or reluctant to participate in an eye exam. The results of the test may be slightly different if the optometrist performs a manual refraction test with a retinoscope, since both tests measure visual acuity in different ways. Retinoscopy – This is a test in which an optometrist will shine a light into your eyes and use a retinoscope to determine your visual acuity. The optometrist will adjust the light in your eyes until a clear image appears, indicating your visual acuity. Retinoscopy is usually used to determine the visual acuity of children or adults who are not able to read letters on an eye chart, such as people who are legally blind. Trial lenses – An optometrist may use trial lenses to determine your visual acuity and tell whether you have an astigmatism. To do this, your optometrist will place lenses on your eyes and ask you to read letters on an eye chart. The letters on the eye chart appear fuzzy if you have an astigmatism, since astigmatism distorts images.
Contact Lens Advice and Prescription
An optometrist can write you a prescription for contact lenses if you have an eye condition that makes it advisable to wear them. The optometrist may also be able to recommend the type of contact lens that would be best for you. To determine whether contact lenses are suitable for you, the optometrist will take into account your visual acuity, any eye diseases you have, and any eye conditions or injuries you may have. If you decide to wear contact lenses, your optometrist will monitor your visual acuity, eye health, and visual performance to ensure that you are wearing the correct type of contact lens.
Eyewear Prescription
An optometrist can also write you a prescription for eyeglasses if you have an eye condition or visual distortion that makes them advisable. The optometrist will take into account your visual acuity, any eye diseases you have, and any eye conditions or injuries you may have.
Eye Disease Diagnosis
An optometrist can determine whether you have a specific eye disease or condition and make recommendations to reduce your risk for developing it. Optometrists can provide advice on how to prevent and manage eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye syndrome. While an optometrist can diagnose eye diseases and other visual disorders, they cannot perform surgery on your eyes. For this reason, an optometrist will refer you to a specialist if you have a visual condition that requires surgical intervention. The optometrist may refer you to an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor who specializes in eye diseases and visual disorders. An ophthalmologist can perform surgery to correct a visual condition, prescribe medication, or recommend a course of therapy that can help manage an eye disease. An optometrist can also refer you to an optician for fitting and customization of your prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Conclusion
An optometrist does more than perform eye examinations and fitting glasses or contacts. Optometrists can also provide advice on how to reduce your risk for developing certain eye diseases or conditions, perform vision tests, and prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. An optometrist can also provide treatment if you have a minor eye injury or infection. However, an optometrist will refer you to another specialist if you have a serious eye disease such as macular degeneration or glaucoma.
Make Masdi Hazli Optometrist the optometrist of your choice. Call 0197505369 or email masdihazli@gmail.com for any questions or to make a reservation. Masdi Hazli eyewear store is located at No 167-G, Jalan PUJ 3/9, Taman Puncak Jalil, 43300, Seri Kembangan, Selangor and operates Monday to Friday from 11 am to 9 pm, as well as Saturday and Sunday on 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can also visit their website at http://masdihazliopto.com/ for more information.
