subject: Why Should I Visit An Optometrist? [print this page] What is an optometrist? It's easy to get confused between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist. An optometrist is a doctor who is trained to diagnose and treat eye conditions. They can prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and they can also prescribe medications for the eye if they need to. They are very similar to an ophthalmologist, except that an optometrist is not allowed to do any type of surgery on the eye. So now that you know what an optometrist does, why should you visit one on a regular basis?
Reasons to Visit
There are a number of reasons why you would want to visit an optometrist on a regular basis. The first reason is to keep track of your general eye condition. Even if you've never had to have glasses before, you may find that you need to have glasses as you grow older. Eyes can be tricky; they may get weaker as we grow older, or the curvature could change due to a variety of reasons. By having regular eye examinations with an optometrist, you are better able to catch when things start to change, if they are going to change.
Cataracts
There are a number of problems that can occur as we grow older, including the onset of cataracts. Cataracts are a condition that makes it difficult to see and, if left unchecked, could cause blindness. A cataract is basically a whitening of the lens of the eye, which makes it difficult for the light to get to the retina where it needs to be. Cataract surgery can be performed by an ophthalmologist, but the sooner it is caught, the sooner it can be treated, which can lead to a better prognosis for the patient.
Exams for Children
Children should definitely be taken to an optometrist on a regular basis. Many schools will check a child's eyesight once a year, but it is still a good idea to have them checked by a professional optometrist once a year. An optometrist may catch subtle problems that are in the beginning stages, whereas a school nurse generally isn't trained to scrutinize eye conditions in-depth. Children who are very young and who have slight eye problems, such as a lazy eye or eyes that appear to be crossed, should be taken to an optometrist in order to be checked out. Many times the problem can be fixed with only a few small, painless treatments, but if left unchecked the problem could persist until it becomes serious.
Seniors
As people age, a number of eye problems can occur that do not occur as often in younger people. Macular degeneration is a particularly scary condition to be on the look-out for as it can claim vision that cannot be returned. Diminished peripheral vision or a drooping eyelid can also can seniors problems, as well as a variety of other conditions.
Most optometrists say that if their patients visit them once a year, they'll be happy, especially if the patients are growing older. If you're ready to take care of your eyes, make sure you schedule an appointment with an optometrist in your area that you can trust.
