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What is the role of an Optometrist?
Eyesight is extremely important to lead a normal life. Most of us take our eyes for granted unless some serious issues surface. We should take care of our eyes and recognize their importance before it is too late. For regular care of eyes, we need to visit an optometrist who would ensure that our vision remains in topmost condition.
An optometrist is a healthcare expert who is qualified to detect, manage, and diagnose your eyes for eye disorders and vision issues. Optometrist often prescribes glasses, contact lenses, or other types of visual aids to make your vision clearer, at times they also prescribe various exercises to strengthen the muscles of the eyes.
The optometrist also advises and treats other aspects of eye health, which include eye drop prescriptions. Anyone can see an optometrist without any reference. However, optometrist often refers patients to another health expert if they detect eye diseases that require surgery. Optometrists also take part in the pre- and post-operative treatment after an ophthalmologist performs eye surgery.
Let’s check the range of services provided by an optometrist
Optometrists have university credentials and must be licensed to practice with the Optometrists Registry Board. Optometrists qualify to:
Diagnosis of eye disorders and illnesses (such as cataracts and glaucoma)
Focus on eye-related health conditions (such as diabetes and thyroid problems)
Examine the eyes for vision impairments
Prescribe, fit, and supply the contact lenses and glasses
Treating and evaluating eye coordination and focusing disorders
Prescribe other optical specialist aids
Contribute to caring for the partially sighted.
Most optometrists are eligible to prescribe medications for the treatment of a variety of serious eye conditions.
Besides, optometrists may give professional advice on:
Lighting
Occupational eye safety and vision requirements
Vision protection and general eye protection
Contact lens aftercare
Fashion display frames and the necessary materials and coatings for the spectacle lens
Sunspecs
Sports Vision
Vision-related learning defects.
What to expect from an optometrist?
At times, we often forget the significance of an optometrist check-up. Healthy adults without glasses should undergo a check-up at least every 2 years as a guideline. Kids and elderly people need to be checked more often as eye changes in these age groups can occur more rapidly.
Whether you've already been diagnosed with vision loss or are using glasses or contacts, the optometrist will instruct you on how to check in with them regularly. To those recovering from eye surgery, it is particularly necessary to check in with an optometrist as prescribed.
When you have any questions about your eye health, contact the optometrist right away. When you notice any changes in vision or pain, don't wait for the next scheduled check-up. The eye examination will require a check-up with an optometrist.
When you are seeing a new optometrist for the first time, be prepared to answer any questions regarding your history of vision, general health, allergies, and prescription, so your optometrist has all the details they need to support you properly. Whether you have eyeglasses or contact lenses on prescription, take them with you.
Many optometrists also suggest wearing sunglasses after the eye test, as the test can cause a short period of dilation. Generally, the consultation will take about 20-30 minutes and also involve a chat before and after the regular eye test, where the findings will be discussed by the optometrist.
Visit the Optometrist regularly for an eye check-up
Incidentally, early warning signs from a variety of general health issues can often show up as vision changes or there are changes in the eye's inner parts. An eye examination will help determine the first symptoms of eye disease, as well as problems like diabetes and high blood pressure, using the latest technologies. This insight enables optometrists in Melbourne to promote their patients' general well-being and can assist in the early detection of diseases that can lead to significant health problems in the future, such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney disease.