An Optometrist is a licensed doctor of optometry who is trained to examine and treat the eyes. They are usually necessary to have an undergraduate degree and an additional years of optometry school. On successful completion of the four-year program they earn their Doctor of Optometry (O.D. - Oculus Doctor) After finishing optometry school they are necessary to pass an examination administered by the National Board of Examiners In Optometry (NBEO). One time they pass this examination they are then necessary to fulfill continuing schooling requirements throughout their licensed career.



Obvious signs of eye care health such as an infection, blurry vision or pain in the eye area are nice reasons to schedule an appointment immediately. Sometimes headaches and heavy squinting can be sings of vision issues that would need an immediate visit to an optometrist.

Depending on a patient's general health condition, relatives health history, and age the period between regular checkups or exams may vary. Patients who have healthy vision and only require adjustments to their prescription may elect to only visit their optometrist one time a year, while older patients or patients who have an eye disease may be advised to see their optometrist more often.



Seeing a licensed optometrist regularly throughout a patient's life is important to both prevent potential eye diseases from developing in to hazardous infections and loss of eyesight, and also to maintain optimal vision for day-to-day living.

Kids can start seeing an optometrist as early as 6 months of age to check to make sure their vision is working properly and the development of all eye functions are on the right path. While the kids cannot reply verbally under the microscope the optometrist is trained to check for proper eye function and be aware if anything is not developing properly.

The school age years requires regular exams to check the eyes as the child is growing at a fast rate. Often time's kids with undiagnosed eye issues can be mistakenly labelled as a slow learner or labelled to have developmental issues. This can be troubling for both the child and their relatives because they do not always think of vision being the source of apparent developmental issues.



In the coursework of a patient's adult and in to their senior years it is common for their eyesight to start to digress leading to more instances of blurry vision, not being able to see as well at night, and sometimes confusion. In the coursework of this stage of life, if the patient has already been diagnosed with a vision issue, it can be recommended to see an optometrist at maximum of one time a year to maintain optimal ocular health. As the aging continues plenty of optometrist will recommend the patient take supplement vitamins to help maintain or improve their overall ocular health.

While plenty of people, kids and young adults, don't often think about the importance of seeing an optometrist until they notice a significant modify in vision or have an issue with their eyesight or eye health, it is nice practice to make a visit to see an optometrist on a regular interval to make sure your vision stays on the right path.