What is an Optometrist?
Your doctor of optometry is a state-licensed health care professional who is specially educated and clinically trained to examine the eye and vision system. He or she diagnoses vision problems, eye diseases and certain systemic health conditions. The optometrist often performs the important function of serving as your first contact with the health care system. Thus, the doctor of optometry has the responsibility not only for the diagnosis and optometric treatment of eye conditions, but often for the early detection of such systemic conditions as diabetes and hypertension.

Doctors of optometry also refer patients with signs of disease to the appropriate health care practitioner, and frequently work with other health professionals in co-managing the care of a patient.