Which Subjects Can I Study In High School To Become An Optometrist?

Are you wondering which subjects you can study in high school to become an Optometrist? If yes, then this informative article is for you. You will be given detailed information about which subjects you can study in high school to become an Optometrist.

Who Is An Optometrist?

Optometrists are primary health care specialists trained to examine the eyes to detect defects in vision, signs of injury, ocular diseases or abnormality, and problems with general health. They make a diagnosis, offer advice and when necessary prescribe, fit and supply contact lenses or glasses. Some optometrists specialise in a particular clientele or type of treatment.

Tasks of an optometrist typically involve:

• Communicating with patients to get detailed case histories
• Examining the eyes of patients
• Using specialist equipment for diagnosis and testing
• Issuing prescriptions for spectacles or contact lenses
• Fitting and checking prescribed lenses in order to correct vision defects
• Offering advice and reassurance about vision-related matters
• Offering help and advice for patients choosing frames and lenses
• Writing referral communications to doctors
• Liaising with other medical practitioners and sometimes sharing the care of patients with chronic ophthalmic conditions
• Meeting sales targets with regard to selling spectacles or contact lenses
• Undertaking continuing education and training.

Types Of Eye Doctor Specialists

Ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist is an eye doctor that specializes in both medical and surgical matters of the eyes and visual system, as well as the prevention of eye disease and injury. These eye doctors may prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses and also treat eye diseases with drugs, laser procedures, and complex eye surgery.

Ophthalmologists can be either doctors of medicine (MD) or doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO). An ophthalmologist’s training and professional education typically span about 12 to 14 years. This includes completing four years in undergraduate studies usually leading to a bachelor’s degree, four years of medical or osteopathic school, a one-year internship in general medicine and three years of residency training, and sometimes, one to two years in fellowship training.

Common areas of specialty include anterior segment surgery, cornea and external disease, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, pediatric ophthalmology, retina and vitreous, and uveitis and immunology.

Optometrist

An optometrist is an eye doctor who is professionally licensed to examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system. Optometrists are also primary eye care practitioners. These eye doctors, referred to as doctors of optometry (OD), prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Optometrists also diagnose vision problems and eye diseases, prescribe oral and topical medications to treat eye diseases, perform minor in-office procedures, and provide treatment before and after surgery. Their scope of practice varies by state.

An optometrist’s training consists of eight to nine years of education and training. This includes completing four years of undergraduate studies usually leading to a bachelor’s degree, four years of optometry school, and in some cases, one to two-year residency training in a certain specialty.

Common areas of specialty include family practice optometry, primary eye care, cornea and contact lenses, geriatric optometry, pediatric optometry, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, eye disease, refractive and ocular surgery, community health, and brain injury vision rehabilitation.

Opticians Are Not Eye Doctors

It is important to note another “O” profession often confused with ophthalmologists and optometrists. The third common profession in the eye care industry is the profession of the optician.

Opticians can become certified in some cases by completing an apprenticeship under eye doctors and some will complete a two-year associate degree in opticianry.

Opticians are not eye doctors but are professionals trained to grind and fabricate eyeglasses, dispense, adjust and repair eyeglasses.

They assist patients in finding the best eyeglasses and in some cases, contact lenses to suit them. Although opticians are not eye doctors, it is important not to undermine their profession.

Most eye doctors who run their own practices know very well how invaluable a highly qualified optician is in running their optical or eyeglass gallery and simply cannot function a day without them. Opticians are very good at troubleshooting optical problems and making changes that allow people to successfully adapt and wear their eyewear comfortably.

High School Subjects To Become An Optometrist

• Mathematics
• English Language
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Physics

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