An optometrist is an eye care professional who is a primary eye care practitioner. Optometrists diagnose vision problems and eye disease, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, and prescribe drugs to treat eye disorders. They cannot perform surgery, but they often provide patients with pre- and postsurgical care.

Optometrists must complete a doctoral level program and residency. They can obtain a master's degree or Ph.D. in visual science, physiological optics, neurophysiology, or public health.

On a typical day an optometrist will:

• examine people's eyes to diagnose vision problems and eye diseases.



• test patients' visual acuity, depth and color perception, and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes.



• prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.



• provide vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation.



• analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.



• administer drugs to patients to aid in the diagnosis of vision problems and prescribe drugs to treat some eye diseases.



• provide preoperative and postoperative care to cataract patients, as well as patients who have had laser vision correction or other eye surgery.



• diagnose conditions due to systemic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure and refer patients to other health practitioners as needed.