Optometrists

What They Do:          

• Provide routine, primary vision care.

• They examine eyes to detect vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, and diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma. They also test patients’ depth and color perception, as well as their ability to focus and coordinate eye function. 

• They prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, and in some states administer and prescribe medications to help diagnose vision problems and treat certain eye disease.  

Credentials:   

• All states require optometrists to be licensed.

• Optometrists must have a Doctor of Optometry degree that requires a minimum of three years of undergraduate studies at a college or university, followed by four years at an accredited optometry school. 

• They must pass both a written and clinical state optometric board exam in order to receive a license, required by all states.  

• They are regulated at the state level, and must report to a state board of optometry for their license renewal (usually every three years).  

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