Doctor of Optometry
Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) is a professional degree awarded to individuals who have completed four years of post-graduate education in the field of optometry. This degree is required to practice as an optometrist in many countries, including the United States and Canada.
Education and Training[edit | edit source]
To become a Doctor of Optometry, individuals must first complete a bachelor's degree, typically in a science-related field. Following this, they must apply to and be accepted into an accredited optometry school. These schools offer a four-year program that includes both classroom instruction and clinical training.
Upon completion of their optometry degree, graduates are eligible to take the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examination. Passing this exam is required to become licensed to practice optometry.
Scope of Practice[edit | edit source]
Doctors of Optometry are primary healthcare professionals who specialize in the examination, diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures. They can also identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.
Optometrists are trained to prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, provide low vision care and vision therapy, and diagnose and treat eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. In many jurisdictions, they are also authorized to prescribe medications to treat certain eye diseases, and to perform certain surgical procedures.
Professional Associations[edit | edit source]
There are several professional associations for Doctors of Optometry, including the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO). These organizations provide resources for optometrists, advocate for the profession, and promote high standards of care.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Doctor of Optometry Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
