Can an optometrist do a diabetic eye exam?
Can an optometrist do a diabetic eye exam?
Optometrists diagnose and manage any diabetes-related eye complications. If they can detect any changes in your eye health, they will report these to your doctor and, if necessary, you will then be referred to an ophthalmologist.
What eye conditions can an optometrist treat?
The following are some of the conditions that optometrists can treat.
- Glaucoma. Glaucoma refers to damage to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.
- Cataracts. Cataracts occur when the lens in the eye develops cloudy patches.
- Retinal disorders.
- Myopia.
- Color blindness.
- Systemic diseases.
When to see an optometrist for diabetes?
It is highly recommended that people living with diabetes have a routine yearly eye exam with an optometrist. Just like many other eye conditions, diabetic retinopathy can become quite severe without producing any warning signs.
What kind of Doctor do you see for eye exams?
You may see two different types of eye doctors: An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who is an eye specialist trained to diagnose and treat eye problems. An optometrist is a health care provider trained to diagnose and treat problems with your vision. Many can do screening exams for damage from diabetes.
What kind of eye disease does diabetic have?
Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye problems that can happen in people with diabetes. All of these problems can cause severe vision loss or even blindness. The most common diabetic eye disease is diabetic retinopathy. But diabetic eye disease can include other eye problems such as: Cataract – This is a clouded area in the eye’s lens.
Can a optometrist treat an ophthalmologist?
Optometrists can also assess a person’s eye injury—though in more serious cases they may refer the patient to an ophthalmologist for the treatment required. While all optometrists are able to prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids, beyond that, much of the scope of their practice is determined by state law.