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Fayetteville NC Optometrist Directory - FayettevilleOptometry.com

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Tips for Finding A Fayetteville NC Optometrist
Not sure what those credentials mean? Use our handy guide below to help determine the best caregiver for your eye care:

• Optometrist - An OD can prescribe basic ophthalmic medications and help recommend prescriptive lenses for routine vision and health problems. Most optometrists also assist with pre and postoperative eye care. An OD has four years of post-graduate training at a qualified institution.

• Ophthalmologist - An ophthalmologist is an MD trained in working specifically with the eye and eye related disease. An MD is a good choice for treating diseases of the eye and for performing eye surgery. They may also perform routine eye exams and prescribe medication when appropriate. Like an OD and MD is also qualified to prescribe corrective lenses when necessary.

• Retinal Specialist - This is an eye doctor (MD) that specializes in laser and surgical treatment of diseases related to the retina. Many concentrate on treating patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment.

• Optician - An optician isn't a doctor but does need to complete certain training and may have a license in eye care. Many states require opticians be certified so they can fit contact lenses. Most will sell and help you fit your eyeglasses or other eyewear including contact lenses. They will not however, prescribe corrective lenses.

History of Optometry

Optometry comes from the Greek word that means two things. Opto means vision or sight, and metry means to measure. It is the practice of eye care which means how well a person can see, and whether or not they need eyeglasses. Today, most optometrists are allowed to prescribe medications for various eye diseases.

Nowadays, an optometrist can fit a person with contact lenses as well. The first person who termed it "optometry,' was Landolt in 1886. Before that period in time, an optometrist was simply called an optician.

The first person that ever created spectacles is not known for sure. History says that it might have began in Italy, sometime in the 13th century.

In the year of 1623 it was Benito Daza de Valdes who authored a book that was all about the anatomy of the eyes and how eyeglasses could help to improve the vision. He had a system for the creation of lens power and grades and came up with the idea that a lens for myopia should not be too strong.

Moving forward to 1692, William Molyneux also wrote a book on optics and lenses, presenting his ideas and thoughts on myopia and problems they have with their close-up vision.

Two scientists were responsible for the creation of optometry. They were Claudius Ptolemy, and Johannes Kepler. Johannes Kepler was actually the first scientist who was able to determine how the retina in the eye creates vision.

Part of the history of optometry would include Benitao Daza de Valdes. He created a book about optometry back in the year 1623. The book talked all about how a pair of eyeglasses could improve vision, and how eyeglasses were fitted for a person.

Thomas Young was an important figure in optometry. This was back in the years of 1773 until about 1829. He was the first scientist that figured out the disability of astigmatism, while George Biddell Airy was a scientist who designed special glasses for the problem.The glasses had what was called a spherocylindrical lens.

The actual term of optometry in the dictionary came to about 1904. This is when the American Optometric Association was formed.

The study of optometry itself includes mathematics, optics,and psychology. Optometry has been the leader in many types of lens creations from binocular lens, right up through contact lenses of many types.

Optometry hit the US in about the year 1620. This happened when a man, Peter Brown that was a pilgrim wore the first pair of glasses here. For a long period of time, eyeglasses were only created in Europe, and not cheaply made or easy to get.

It was 1783 when another man known as John McAllister Sr., from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, known as a crafter of the cane, bought his first pair of specs in the US. He purchased many pairs after that, and in 1811, together with his son John McAllister Jr., started the first U.S. business making eyeglasses. The whole McAllister family business went on until the 1900s sometime. Refraction was taught by the McAllister family, and James W. Queen was a student that began his own business in the year 1853.

Benjamin Pike was another early optometrist. This was by the year 1800 or so. And following Benjamin, was James Prentice. These men were both schooled in optometry in England.James trained his own son who was Charles Prentice in the science of optometry. And Charles Prentice went on to further optometry still in the US.

The first optometry laws came into practice in 1901. This was in Minnesota at the time. By the year 1924, all optometrists has licensure laws.

The first schools for optometry began back in 1872 with Illinois College of Optometry. There is also the New England College of Optometry that goes back to 1894. They were first called the Klein School of Optics before that time. Following that school, there is the Southern California College of Opthalmology which started in 1904 and later became a college of optometry. In the year 1919, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry formed.

Colleges awarded the degree of doctor of optometry even before the year 1900. Optometrists though, did not use the doctor term in front of their name until somewhere around the 1930s.

Fayetteville NC Optometrist

The objective of this Fayetteville NC Optometrist Directory is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding Fayetteville NC optometrists that can be used as a resource to assist consumers in the search for highly qualified optometrists in Fayetteville North Carolina and the Cumberland County area.

Fayetteville NC Optometrist

Optometrists, also known as doctors of optometry, or ODs, are the main providers of vision care. They examine people's eyes to diagnose vision problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, and they test patients' depth and color perception and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes. Optometrists may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses, or they may provide other treatments, such as vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation.

Fayetteville NC optometrists also test for glaucoma and other eye diseases and diagnose conditions caused by systemic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, referring patients to other health practitioners as needed. They prescribe medication to treat vision problems or eye diseases, and some provide preoperative and postoperative care to cataract patients, as well as to patients who have had corrective laser surgery. Like other physicians, optometrists encourage preventative measures by promoting nutrition and hygiene education to their patients to minimize the risk of eye disease.

Although most work in a general practice as a primary care Fayetteville NC optometrist, some optometrists prefer to specialize in a particular field, such as contact lenses, geriatrics, pediatrics, or vision therapy. As a result, an increasing number of optometrists are forming group practices in which each group member specializes in a specific area while still remaining a full scope practitioner. For example, an expert in low-vision rehabilitation may help legally blind patients by custom fitting them with a magnifying device that will enable them to read. Some may specialize in occupational vision, developing ways to protect workers' eyes from on-the-job strain or injury. Others may focus on sports vision, head trauma, or ocular disease and special testing. A few optometrists teach optometry, perform research, or consult.

Most Fayetteville NC optometrists are private practitioners who also handle the business aspects of running an office, such as developing a patient base, hiring employees, keeping paper and electronic records, and ordering equipment and supplies. Optometrists who operate franchise optical stores also may have some of these duties.

Fayetteville NC Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or dispensing opticians. Ophthalmologists are physicians who perform eye surgery, as well as diagnose and treat eye diseases and injuries. Like optometrists, they also examine eyes and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. Dispensing opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses and, in some States, may fit contact lenses according to prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists.

Fayetteville NC Optometrists usually work in their own offices that are clean, well lighted, and comfortable. Although most full-time optometrists work standard business hours, some work weekends and evenings to suit the needs of patients. Emergency calls, once uncommon, have increased with the passage of therapeutic-drug laws expanding optometrists' ability to prescribe medications.

The Doctor of Optometry degree requires the completion of a 4-year program at an accredited school of optometry, preceded by at least 3 years of preoptometric study at an accredited college or university. All States require optometrists to be licensed.

Education and training. Optometrists need a Doctor of Optometry degree, which requires the completion of a 4-year program at an accredited school of optometry. In 2009, there were 19 colleges of optometry in the U.S. and 1 in Puerto Rico that offered programs accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. Requirements for admission to optometry schools include college courses in English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Because a strong background in science is important, many applicants to optometry school major in a science, such as biology or chemistry, as undergraduates. Other applicants major in another subject and take many science courses offering laboratory experience.

Admission to optometry school is competitive; about 1 in 3 applicants was accepted in 2007. All applicants must take the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), a standardized exam which measures academic ability and scientific comprehension. The OAT consists of four tests: survey of the natural sciences, such as biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry; reading comprehension; physics; and quantitative reasoning. As a result, most applicants take the test after their sophomore or junior year in college, allowing them an opportunity to take the test again and raise their score. A few applicants are accepted to optometry school after 3 years of college and complete their bachelor's degree while attending optometry school. However, most students accepted by a school or college of optometry have completed an undergraduate degree. Each institution has its own undergraduate prerequisites, so applicants should contact the school or college of their choice for specific requirements.

Optometry programs include classroom and laboratory study of health and visual sciences and clinical training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Courses in pharmacology, optics, vision science, biochemistry, and systemic diseases are included.

One-year postgraduate clinical residency programs are available for optometrists who wish to obtain advanced clinical competence within a particular area of optometry. Specialty areas for residency programs include family practice optometry, pediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, vision therapy and rehabilitation, low-vision rehabilitation, cornea and contact lenses, refractive and ocular surgery, primary eye care optometry, and ocular disease.

Licensure. All States and the District of Columbia require that optometrists be licensed. Applicants for a license must have a Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited optometry school and must pass both a written National Board examination and a National, regional, or State clinical examination. The written and clinical examinations of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry usually are taken during the student's academic career. Many States also require applicants to pass an examination on relevant State laws. Licenses must be renewed every 1 to 3 years and, in all States, continuing education credits are needed for renewal.

Other qualifications. Business acumen, self-discipline, and the ability to deal tactfully with patients are important for success. The work of optometrists also requires attention to detail and manual dexterity.

Advancement. Optometrists who wish to teach or conduct research may study for a master's degree or Ph.D. in visual science, physiological optics, neurophysiology, public health, health administration, health information and communication, or health education.

What happens at the eye doctor? See the Consumer Guide to Eye Exams.