What Is An Optometrist?

Optometrists not only check your vision, they look after the health of your eyes

It can be hard to imagine living without our sight, so it’s important that we keep our eyes healthy - and this is where optometrists come in. Optometrists not only check our vision, they look after the health of our eyes.

What do optometrists do?

Optometrists are health professionals that examine your eyes and check for vision and eye health problems. If they find that something is wrong they can work out the best treatment for you - whether that is a pair of prescription glasses, contact lenses, eye drops or a referral to another doctor.

Why do I need to see my Toowoomba optometrist?

Even if you have perfect vision, you still need to visit your optometrist every two years to ensure your eyes are in good condition.

Many eye diseases can go unnoticed for many years, but can be detected early through a simple eye exam. As well as being able to screen for eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, optometrists can detect problems that affect the whole body such as diabetes and hypertension.

What does an optometrist appointment involve?

An optometrist appointment is nothing to be afraid of, in fact it can be quite fun. Your optometrist will use a variety of techniques and tools to assess your vision and look inside your eyes.

They may start by asking you questions about your general health and any symptoms that you have been having, before deciding which tests to do to assess your eye health. They will test your visual acuity (how well you can see) using a funny-looking pair of glasses (called a phoropter) and an eye chart, which will help decide what prescription you need - if any.To check the health of your eyes, your optometrist will shine a bright light into the back of your eye using a slit lamp and may also dilate your pupils.

If you require glasses or contact lenses, your Toowoomba optometrist will then assist you in choosing the perfect pair for you.