General Information on Eye Health and Vision Care

Optometry - The Primary Eye Care Profession

Optometry is a health care profession providing primary eye care. Locate an eye care professional near you.

Primary eye care encompasses the prevention and remediation of disorders of the eye and vision system through the examination, diagnosis, treatment and/or management of the visual system and eye health. The recognition and diagnosis of related systemic
manifestations help to preserve and enhance the patient's quality of life.

Doctors of Optometry are the major providers of primary eye care. Optometrists are health care professionals, specifically educated, clinically trained and state licensed to examine, diagnose and treat eyes for vision problems, diseases, injuries and ocular manifestations of systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and immunological disorders. Eye and health care needs of patients in the local communities have shaped the scope of optometric practice as it is today.

Low vision rehabilitation is provided by several doctors of optometry who specialize in this area. Locate a low vision rehabilitation doctor near you.

The Education and Training of Doctors of Optometry

Admission to optometry school requires a minimum of three years of undergraduate college education (most schools prefer a bachelor's degree) with specific required courses and submission of Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) scores. Most schools also require an interview to assess interpersonal and communication skills. Although admission requirements vary across colleges, a strong background in the biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and communication is a common requirement among all institutions. A bulletin of admission requirements and curriculum description is available from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan.

The four year graduate-professional curriculum consists of both a general medical education (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology and immunology, pathology and genetics) and optometry specific courses such as geometrical, ophthalmic and physical optics, physiological optics (the function of the visual system), sensory perception and health policy. In addition, students receive extensive clinical training in all areas of optometric practice, including visual correction, contact lenses, vision therapy, and the diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease. A typical student will experience over 1500 patient examinations during his or her training. In most of the schools, the fourth year of the curriculum is spent in full time patient care at affiliated hospitals and clinics located at the schools or at off-campus sites. During this fourth year, student interns may spend time in specialty areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, rehabilitative optometry, or low vision. Patient care experience is carefully monitored to ensure that each student has received a well-rounded primary care education and is prepared to enter practice upon graduation and state board licensure.

Services Provided by Michigan Doctors of Optometry

The range of services provided by Michigan Doctors of Optometry is as varied as the needs of their patients. Some of the common services provided by optometrists include:

The examination, diagnosis, management, and where appropriate, treatment of:

• Anterior eye disease (with both topical and oral prescription medicines)
• Glaucoma
• Cataract
• Diseases and disorders of the retina
• Ocular emergencies such as removal of foreign bodies and treatment of abrasions
• Strabismus, amblyopia and binocular vision abnormalities
• Vision impairment and low vision conditions

Optometrists also provide second opinions on ocular diseases and disorders; as well as laser refractive surgery consultation, referral, and PRK / LASIK post-op co-management.