What is an optometrist?
An optometrist, or doctor of optometry, is a licensed, board-certified
healthcare professional that provides first point of contact eye care
services. They are trained to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases and
disorders of the eyes. They can make an eye health assessment, offer
clinical advice, prescribe medications for eye diseases and prescribe
glasses.
Keep reading to learn more about this important
profession and how independent optometrists located at Oscar Wylee
provide high quality eye care services.
Is an optometrist a medical doctor?
An optometrist is considered a doctor of optometry. Optometrists are healthcare professionals that focus solely on eye care. They will have completed a Doctor of Optometry (OD) to become qualified to practise, and may often be referred to as an eye doctor.
Source: University of Waterloo
There are medical doctors that specialize in eye care. These professionals are called ophthalmologists.
Optometrist vs ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist, also known as an eye surgeon or ophthalmic surgeon,
is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of
serious eye conditions. These can include cataracts, injections for age
related macular degeneration and end stage diabetic retinopathy. They
are also licensed to perform eye surgery. An ophthalmologist will have
completed medical school and several years of additional training in eye
care.
An ophthalmologist is trained to provide more advanced
care and perform surgery, whereas an optometrist is educated in primary,
first contact vision care. Whilst they may perform minor eye procedures
such as foreign body removal, they do not perform eye surgeries like an
ophthalmologist.
An optometrist may refer their patient to
an ophthalmologist for treatment if they detect an eye condition that
requires more specialized care. You can find more on the differences
between these two professions on our
optometrist vs ophthalmologist page.
Optometrist vs Optician
The primary role of an optician is to dispense glasses. You will likely
see an optician working alongside an optometrist, but they will not have
the same level of training or provide the same services. An optician
will help fit frames for customers, give advice on the right lenses and
manage the supply of glasses. They will not be able to conduct
comprehensive eye exams like an optometrist, nor can they write
prescriptions.
An optician will have to undergo training at
an accredited institution before they are able to begin practice. This
can take from a year to 3 years, depending on the study load undertaken.
Source: Opticians Association of Canada
Services provided: What does an optometrist do?
Optometrists are your first point of contact when it comes to eye care. This is also called primary vision care. Independent optometrists located at Oscar Wylee are trained to provide a range of services to help you manage your eye health. These include:
- Comprehensive eye exams to assess, measure and diagnose disorders of the eye and visual system. These can include infections, glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and dry eyes.
- They can write prescriptions for glasses.
- Prescribe medications to treat eye conditions as needed.
- Diagnose binocular vision problems such as strabismus (eye turn) and amblyopia (lazy eye).
- Manage minor trauma such as corneal abrasion (scratch on the corneas), removal of foreign bodies (ie. metal pieces in the front of the eyes).
- They may also identify undiagnosed systemic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and cancers that can first present symptoms in the eye.
- They can co-manage ocular disease with ophthalmologists and provide referrals to ophthalmologists when needed.
- Some optometrists can also co-manage pre and post operative care for laser vision correction.
If you need an eye exam, you can find your nearest Oscar Wylee on our store locator page.
Optometrist eye examinations: What to expect
An eye exam should not be uncomfortable or cause you any distress. It
will involve a series of tests, first with an optical assistant and then
with an optometrist. If you have any concerns, be sure to let our
optometrists know and they can work with you to make sure you have a
comfortable experience.
When you meet the independent
optometrists that are located within Oscar Wylee for an eye exam, they
will ask you for your medical history, family medical history, any
medications you may be on or any vision related injuries you have. They
will also ask you if you have any concerns about your eyes or vision. It
is crucial that you answer these questions to the best of your ability
so the optometrist can examine you accordingly.
The exact examinations carried out may vary slightly for each individual, depending on factors such as age or pre-existing eye or health conditions. It may include the following.
- Visual acuity: To measure how clear and sharp your vision is.
- Colour vision exam: This examination will assess how your eye sees colour, helping to diagnose things like colour blindness.
- Pressure Test: This test is used to measure the pressure in your eyes. It may help with the diagnosis of some eye diseases including glaucoma.
- Eye movements: To determine how well your eyes move together.
- Refraction: To determine if you need a prescription for glasses and what the strength of the prescription is.
- Retinal photography: To find out the condition of your retina, the layer at the back of your eye, your optometrist may use high resolution digital cameras to take a photo.
- Slit lamp test: This test examines the structure of your eye, by placing it under a high magnification microscope. This test can help detect a wide range of eye conditions and diseases such as dry eyes, allergies, infections, macular degeneration, cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.
How to book an eye exam with an optometrist
Simply click on "Book an eye exam" and select your preferred store
location, then follow the steps to choose a time slot. You can also
head into a store to arrange it in person if you prefer.
We allocate around 30 minutes to conduct our eye exams, so
you could even book one during your lunch break.
When should you see an optometrist?
It is generally recommended that you see an optometrist routinely for
your eye exam, at least every 1-2 years. Even if you feel your vision
is clear, it is important to have this exam. Some conditions, such as
glaucoma, can cause blindness without any symptoms so it is important
to get your eyes checked routinely.
Beyond regular
examinations, it is also important to see your optometrist if you have
noticed any changes to your eyesight. These can include:
- Blurry vision
- Eye strain
- Flashes of light or floaters
- Trouble reading small print or seeing far away objects
- Squinting
- Double vision
It is important to note that many of these symptoms will occur gradually, over time. If these symptoms come on abruptly or overnight, you should seek medical help.
How often should you get your eyes checked?
It is recommended that patients have their eyes examined every 1-2
years. For those with health conditions such as diabetes, more
frequent eye exams may be required. Your optometrist will discuss how
often you should get your eyes checked if you are unsure.
Source: Canadian Association of Optometrists
Optometrist and eye exam costs
For all Oscar Wylee pricing, including the cost of eye exams, please see our price guide page. To help with the cost of your exam, Oscar Wylee Canada has direct billing available. Make sure to bring your health card to your appointment for any possible claims. Learn more about our costs and possible direct billing on our health insurance page.
How to become an optometrist
To become an optometrist in Canada, you first have to complete an
undergraduate university degree in the sciences. You will then
have to complete a Doctor of Optometry (OD). This is an additional
4 year program. The University of Waterloo and The Université de
Montréal are the only two universities in Canada that provide this
degree.
Source: University of Waterloo
Once graduated, some optometrists choose to undertake
a residency to get additional hands-on experience. Before you
begin practice, you are required to pass a national board
examination and a provincial licensing examination. Every 3 years,
Canadian optometrists are also required to complete a certain
number of continued education hours to keep their license.
