Optometry is a specialty
profession concerned with diagnosis and treatment of many types of eye
disorders. It is a limited-license professionÑeach state defines what
optometrists can do. Admission to the profession requires four years at a school of
Optometry, leading to the degree of doctor of optometry.
Optometrists detect and treat vision disorders such as myopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism. For persons with vision disorders, optometrists can
prescribe corrective glasses, contact lenses, and low vision devices for conditions such as macular degeneration. They may also provide vision therapy to correct problems such as strabismus or amblyopia. They can do some
surgical procedures, but are not
permitted to do procedures that require general anesthesia. Optometrists are authorized to prescribe diagnostic and therapeutic medications in most states. In a few states they are permitted to use surgical lasers.