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Doctors on the Frontline
of Eye and Vision Care
(produced by the American Optometric Association)
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Narrator:
Doctors of optometry today are on the frontline of eye and vision care. Each day optometrists examine, diagnose, treat and take care of their patience’s most important sense, the sense of sight.Optometrists perform comprehensive examinations of the complete visual system including the internal and external structures of the eye, the visual pathway through the brain, as well as test vision and then determine appropriate treatments. Doctor’s of Optometry, ODs are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists provide a wide range of vision care. They detect and diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal disorders, lid disorders, infections such as conjunctivitis, and of course help people see better through the use of glasses and contacts lenses.
James D. Ferguson, OD:
Being a doctor of optometry is something I’ve always wanted to do. As optometrists, we do so much for our patients. We not only examine eyes and maintain healthy vision but discover and diagnose diseases and recommend treatment. That may involve prescribing medication to treat an eye disease, or evaluating and treating vision conditions where people can’t see well or performing minor surgical procedures like removing foreign objects from the eye.
Narrator:
Doctors of optometry are on the forefront of advanced research into the development of new treatments for eye diseases and disorders. Important research that can improve the quality of life for their patients.
Daniel Roberts, OD:
Included among our research efforts has been important clinical study of inherited forms of glaucoma as well as the development of new diagnostic technologies that will lead to earlier disease detection, more accurate diagnosis, more precise treatments.
Karla Zadnik, OD PhD:
I think vision research in the last ten years in optometry, in schools and colleges of optometry specifically, has really become more sophisticated and has kept up more with research in the area of vision science in general. So we see basic scientists in our schools and colleges of optometry who are working on things in the lab that can ultimately be translated to patient care.
Narrator:
It is often said that the eyes are the windows to the health of the body. Optometrists are changing, even saving lives through their extensive health training. They have access to overall health issues of a patient while performing an eye exam and can recognize critical health issues like hypertension or diabetes.
So not only does a comprehensive eye examination protect your vision, it has the potential to save your life.
Melvin D. Shipp, OD, MPH, DrPH:
We’re not just talking contact lenses and glasses. We’re talk about eye issues or eye health issues. It’s a quality of life. It’s the total package of how we interact with others, how we perform, how we are educated, all those things that make life what it is, a very pleasant experience.
Mark D. Esarey, OD:
I’ve been trained to see the big picture, but to zoom in on the problems cause and as part of the patient’s medical team we work together with other health care professionals to improve the patient’s overall health.
Recently we had a forty five year old women come in for a baseline eye examination and when we examined her we found that she had 20/20 vision in each eye but in the course of her routine dilated retinal examination we found a fairly large peripheral tumor in one eye.
Narrator:
Eye sight is one of our most precious gifts. Which is why optometrists recommend early and regular eye exams for eyes and overall health so that any eye condition or disease can be detected early on.
Pamela Lowe, OD, FAAO:
Early detection means the preservation of sight. That’s what the InfantSee program is all about. Most parents don’t realize that a child’s first eye exam should be between the ages of six to twelve months. As an InfantSee participating optometrist I provide a one time comprehensive eye assessment to infants in their first year of life, at no cost regardless of income. Early detection of potential eye and vision problems is the best way to help insure the baby’s vision is developing properly.
Narrator:
Doctors of optometry not only help individuals with the increased visual demands of our technological society, but also assist mature adults that have an increasing risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and other sight threatening conditions.
Renee Reeder, OD:
Technology continues to revolutionize eye care. Newer instruments are taking us to the next level. So this enhances our ability to detect conditions like keratoconus earlier. All of these advances keep our patients active and seeing well late into life. Annual eye exams also help me monitor their eye health and preserve their vision. So as I see my patients every year and as their needs change its wonderful to be able to provide them with their latest options and to educate them on things to come.
Narrator:
The journey of the eye doctor starts prior to acceptance into optometry school. Doctors of optometry typically complete 4 years of undergraduate study culminating in a bachelor’s degree. The required undergraduate course work for pre-optometry students is extensive. It covers a wide variety of advanced health, science and mathematics courses.
Optometry school consists of four years of post graduate, doctorial level study, concentrating on the eye, vision and related systemic disease. It includes course work in human anatomy, biochemistry, physiology and pathology, as well as pharmacology classes on medications to treat eye diseases.
Arol Augsburger, OD:
Today’s doctors of optometry are the primary eye care providers to our nation. Our graduating doctors are more prepared than ever to examine, diagnosis, and treat our population’s eyes and vision disorders. In addition, practicing doctors in all fifty states are required to participate in ongoing continuing education courses, to stay current with the latest standards and advancement of care.
Narrator:
Because eye care is so important to everyone’s wellbeing, doctors of optometry help insure people in their communities have access to vision care. Optometry is committed to achieving it’s goal of promoting eye care as an essential element of the health of Americans, through it’s healthy eyes, healthy people program. Working closely with public health and government agencies, doctors of optometry provide examinations, participate in community service, and promote vision awareness in this country and around the world.
Doctors of optometry, doctors on the frontline of eye and vision care.
