Your optometrist is your primary eye care professional for your everyday eye needs. They can examine your eyes and look for signs of eye disease like glaucoma or macular degeneration. They can also prescribe corrective lenses or contacts if you have a refractive error. And optometrists in Canada can prescribe medication for specific conditions.
Each province has its own laws and regulations that determine what an optometrist is and isn’t qualified to do. The best thing to do if you’re wondering what services your eye doctor can provide is to ask them. They should be intimately familiar with the rules governing their practice.
Overview of Your Optometrist’s Role
An optometrist is a primary eye care professional who helps with your eye health and vision clarity. Their primary roles involve comprehensive eye exams, vision assessments to detect refractive errors, and tailored advice on caring for your eyes and vision.
Optometrists diagnose these problems and prescribe corrective solutions such as glasses or contact lenses. Beyond addressing everyday vision needs, they’re also trained to detect early signs of eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
An optometrist often collaborates with ophthalmologists or doctors when systemic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, affect the eyes. Additionally, optometrists play a vital role in pre- and post-operative care, like monitoring recovery after LASIK or cataract surgeries. This monitoring helps provide optimal outcomes for their patients.
Services Optometrists Offer
Optometrists offer a broad spectrum of services tailored to meet each patient’s unique needs. Some of these services may include:
- Comprehensive eye exams
- Accurate prescriptions for glasses or contacts
- Dry eye therapy
- Managing eye disease through various means—including medication
- Digital eye strain therapies
- Emergency eye care from injuries or disease
- Laser surgery co-management with your surgeon
Regulations & Training Determine the Services an Optometrist Offers
It’s important to note that your eye doctor may be qualified to do more than listed above. It ultimately depends on the federal and provincial regulations and any continuing education that your optometrist has completed. For example, orthokeratology for myopia control is something an optometrist can typically provide if they’ve completed the required training and certification.
Conditions Treated by Optometrists
Optometrists manage a wide range of eye conditions for their patients.
Dry eye syndrome
Dry eye syndrome, commonly known as “dry eye,” is a prevalent condition affecting many Canadians. It can lead to discomfort and blurry vision, but your optometrist can provide tailored treatment options and advice.
Glaucoma
Dangerously high eye pressure is a common issue with most forms of glaucoma. Your eye doctor can diagnose glaucoma during an eye exam and provide vision-saving treatment.
Myopia Control
Myopia is a widespread refractive error that affects more than 30% of people. Your optometrist may offer various myopia control methods, from specially designed lenses to atropine eye drops and lifestyle changes.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
AMD often develops gradually and without symptoms. But your optometrist can detect its early signs during comprehensive exams and offer tailored solutions to slow its progression.
Cataracts
Cataracts are another typically age-related condition that your eye doctor can help you with. They can offer tailored advice on living with cataracts and adjust your eyeglasses prescription to minimize the effect of the cataract.
Laser eye surgery is ultimately a permanent solution for cataracts. Your eye doctor can partner with you on that journey to ensure you have all the information you need about your surgical options.
Can an Optometrist Prescribe Medication?
Optometry started with a focus on vision correction through glasses and contact lenses. Over the years, the field expanded to include more comprehensive eye health care, giving optometrists more freedom when prescribing medications.
Eye conditions that your eye doctor can treat with prescription medication in many Canadian provinces include:
- Bacterial and viral eye infections
- Eyelid infection or inflammation
- Inflammation of the eye—anterior uveitis
- Eye pain due to dry eye
- Pink eye
- Glaucoma
- Before and after cataract or laser refractive surgery
While optometrists can diagnose many eye conditions, their authority to prescribe medication depends on provincial laws and regulations. These limits ensure that people who require specialized or surgical care are referred to the appropriate professional for their needs.
What Does This Mean For You?
Understanding the roles and capabilities of your eye care provider is essential for accessing proper care. While optometrists can address many eye-related concerns and prescribe medications in some cases, more complex issues may require an ophthalmologist’s expertise. Laws can vary, so consult your local optometry office to clarify what services they can provide in your region.
Whether you’re overdue for an eye exam or experiencing symptoms, seeking professional advice from a qualified eye doctor is a great first step toward better eye health. Contact our team at Insight Eyecare today and book a comprehensive eye examination.
