optometry facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about optometry The Oxford Companion to the Body © The Oxford Companion to the Body 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. optometry (meaning measurement of sight) is the science of measuring visual acuity to determine refractive errors of the eyes, and prescribing and fitting appropriate corrective lenses (in spectacles or as contact lenses). The term ‘optometrist’, imported from the US, has virtually displaced the original word ‘optician’ in the UK. Optometrists also have to deal with patients who have poor vision for whatever reason, prescribing special lenses or low-vision aids, which help them to lead independent lives. This is essential work in a world increasingly dominated by the visual image in television, films, advertising, and the Internet . Certain occupations require legally-defined minimum acuity levels, particularly those concerned with flying, or driving trains, cars, heavy goods vehicles, buses — or any public service vehicle. In some cases, public service drivers with refractive errors are obliged to wear glasses, not contact lenses, so that an inspector can tell at once if corrective lenses are in use.

When the National Health Service (NHS) was inaugurated in Britain in 1948, the Supplementary Ophthalmic Service (SOS) was also started, with the intention that eventually all the sight testing would be done in hospitals. In 1958 the Opticians Act established the General Optical Council (GOC), which included a few doctors but was not part of the NHS. The GOC is the statutory body for opticians/ optometrists, with regulatory functions concerning approval of training courses, qualifications, registration, and discipline, similar to those of the General Medical Council for doctors. By 1968 it was apparent that the SOS would never be integrated with the NHS as previously hoped, and the General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) replaced the SOS. Family doctor committees now control the provision of relevant services by dentists, pharmacists, local general practitioners, and the GOS. Optometry courses lasting three years are taught in eight university departments and schools in the UK. Subjects taught for the BSc degree include anatomy, physiology, visual optics and perception, binocular vision, occupational optics and lighting, clinical practice, pharmacology, microbiology, ocular disease, communication skills, and professional and legal matters.

After a pre-registration year and pre-qualifying examination, the student must become a member of the College of Optometrists, the professional body, to start in practice. The vast majority of sight tests are performed by optometrists. These include measurement of visual acuity and refraction, visual field screening, measuring intra-ocular pressure, and ophthalmoscopy (viewing the interior of the eye with an ophthalmoscope), as and when required. It is a matter of political decision as to which groups of patients may be entitled to a free sight test. In some areas of the UK, special, shared care clinics to deal with the visual problems of diabetes and glaucoma have been set up to provide the optometric expertise required for hospitals and general practices. Simple consideration of the fact that there are approximately ten times as many optometrists as consultant ophthalmologists in this country, combined with increasing prevalence of these diseases, confirms the need. Finally, a small but growing number of optometrists forsake the commercial world and work in university departments of visual science, gaining higher degrees and doing valuable research on vision, the optics of the eye, contact lens design, and related topics.

Peter Fells Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. MLA The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright The Columbia University Press optometry (ŏptŏm´ətrē), eye-care specialty concerned with eye examination, determination of visual abilities, diagnosis of eye diseases and conditions, and the prescription of lenses and other corrective measures. In most states optometrists may prescribe drugs for the treatment of eye diseases. The principal concern of early optometrists was the prescription of corrective lenses for defects of vision due to refractive error. Modern optometry also includes the fitting of contact lenses and of telescopic eyeglasses as an aid to the near-blind, as well as the field of orthoptics, i.e., the practice of strengthening the eye muscles and improving their coordination by eye exercises. Prescriptions for corrective lenses provided by an optometrist are often brought to an optician , who grinds and fits the lenses. The word optometry came into use in 1904 with the organization of the American Optometric Association. Until this time people bought eyeglasses from traveling vendors whose activities were not supervised. With the passage of optometry laws, this method of dispensing glasses was prohibited.

Optometrists must now fulfill certain educational requirements and be examined and licensed by the state. Some of the schools of optometry in the United States are affiliated with colleges or universities. Optometry is a specialty requiring a four-year postgraduate professional degree. See also ophthalmology ). Cite this article Eye Doctors: ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians. How to choose at MedicineNet.com What should I consider when choosing an eye doctor? Where do you go when you are having difficulty with your eyesight? Depending on the extent of the problem, your answer may vary. There are several different types of eye doctors and eye specialists you could see, including an ophthalmologist, optometrist, and optician. What Is an Ophthalmologist? Ophthalmologists are eye doctors that specialize in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system, and also the prevention of eye disease and injury. They can be either doctors of medicine (MD) or doctors of osteopathy (DO). While medical doctors focus on disease-specific diagnosis and treatment, osteopaths concentrate on the loss of structure and function in different parts of the body due to disease, including the eye.

An eye doctor who is an osteopath would give treatment based on the assumption that treating the parts of the visual system with the use of medicines, surgery, diet, and other therapies, will therefore treat the underlying eye problem. 1 STRABISMUS eye disorders | Eyes and Vision Specialist - Optometrist Australia By Jim on Nov 09, 2012 in Other Eye Conditions Although the disorder of the eye known as STRABISMUS is defined in medical dictionaries simply as a “squint”, there is quite a range of ways in which a squint can present itself. As a consequence there needs to be a list of the types of strabismus squints to fully understand each one, and making up a full list is not easy.

Categorising Strabismus There are four ways that strabismus is categorised, with some categories having sub-categories: ♣ According to how easy a particular type of strabismus can be detected: o If obvious to anyone it is called “manifest” and goes by the name heterotropia o If not immediately obvious to the untrained eye then it is described as “apparent” but not given any medical name o Finally, if the strabismus is detected by an optometrist or ophthalmologist then it is called “latent” and goes by the name heterophoria ♣ By following the section numbering system defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – in particular the section numbered H49 to H50 “Disorders of Ocular Muscle, Binocular Movement, Accommodation and Refraction”: In this system a further four sub-categories are defined: o H49.3 – Ophthalmoparesis, concerned with paralysis of muscles of the eye o H49-4 – Progressive opthalmoparesis, concerned with weakness of the external muscles of the eye o H50.0 & H50.3 – Esotropia, where the eyes turn or squint inwards

 o H50.1 & H50.3 – Exotropia, where the eyes in this case turn or squint outwards ♣ Depending on which part of the body is primarily involved: o The brain may not be functioning fully o The eye muscles may not be functioning correctly ♣ The Final method of categorising is do with the age and method of acquiring the squint: o Congenital at birth o Acquired during childhood or somewhat later o Acquired via another disorder or action such as during cataract Diagnosis of Strabismus Screening for strabismus if thought to be of concern can be carried out through a Hirschberg Test, which involves flashing a light into the eyes – reflections from the eyes should point directly to one location, otherwise they are not symmetrical.

A full eye examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist will deliver not only the fact a squint is present but the type and extent of treatment required. With very young children care needs to taken during diagnosis so that “pseudostrabismus” is not mistakenly diagnosed – this can be the case if the child has not matured sufficiently. What to do if a strabismus is diagnosed The various types of strabismus diagnosed all require more than just an eye patch to be worn for treatment. Eye therapy sessions and minor surgery may need to be undertaken in combination – any eye surgery does NOT involve the eye itself, but instead it is the MUSCLES that are involved. In cases of adults botox injections, similar to those used for cosmetic plumping up of skin to remove wrinkles, can be applied to stronger muscles to enable weaker ones to begin to work more and “catch up” as it were. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more great content just like it. Subscribe via RSS Feed About the Author Dr Jim Kokkinakis (Optometrist) graduated in 1983 from the Optometry School University of NSW.

He is currently a Senior Lecturer there and regular speaker to both Optometrists and Ophthalmologists in Australia and Internationally. He has a specialist clinical practice in the Sydney CBD with interests in Eye Strain, Computer Vision problems, Treatment of Eye Diseases and complex Contact lens Fittings. Traumatic Brain Injury: What is the Optometrist's Role? Published April 18, 2008 Traumatic Brain Injury: What is the Optometrist's Role? Rehabilitation of TBI patients is faster and more complete when optometrists are part of the health care team. Col. Francis McVeigh, O.D., M.S. The wars in and Afghanistan have increased public awareness of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the life-long rehabilitative challenges patients face. TBI is even referred to as the signature injury of these wars. However, TBI is not just associated with military conflicts; it is also prevalent in the civilian population.

Indeed, TBI accounts for more than 50,000 deaths in the United States each year, and nearly half of all injury-related deaths.1,2 Additionally, TBI remains the leading cause of injury-related death and disability among children and young adults.1 If left undiagnosed and untreated, TBI-related conditions can have devastating effects on the patients quality of life and rehabilitative progress. O.D.s can play an important role in the care of patients with TBI, such as diagnosing and treating related visual conditions, working as part of an interdisciplinary team in a hospital or clinic, conducting research or simply making the appropriate referral for patients with related signs and symptoms. Furthermore, optometrists already know how to assess and treat TBI-related visual and ocular disorders, such as oculomotor dysfunctions. O.D.s can make significant differences in patients rehabilitative progress and quality of life. Craniocerebral Trauma The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines TBI as craniocerebral traumaan injury to the head due to blunt or penetrating trauma or acceleration/ deceleration forces.

It is associated with a decreased level of consciousness, amnesia, other neurological or neuropsychological abnormalities, skull fractures, diagnosed intracranial lesions or death.3 Irwin B. Suchoff, O.D., Neera Kapoor, O.D., M.S., and Kenneth Ciuffreda, O.D., Ph.D., further classify brain injuries by different components.4 They use the umbrella term acquired brain injury (ABI) to describe those conditions that appear suddenly and result in a neurological dysfunction. Then, they further divide ABI into two main categories: External insult (TBI), which is further divided into closed brain injuries and penetrating injuries. The Glasgow Coma Scale categorizes closed and penetrating injuries as severe, moderate or mild. Penetrating injuries are normally identified and treated immediately. Closed brain injuries may be missed when accompanied by other life-threatening injuries. Internal insult, which is further divided into cerebrovascular accident (stroke), brain surgery and arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Severity of injury is an important determinant of outcome.

The Department of Veteran Affairs and Department of Defense rate it as mild, moderate or severe by measuring it on the Glasgow Coma Scale, length of loss of consciousness and length of post-traumatic amnesia.5 Brain injuries can cause diffuse axonal injuries, focal lesions or both, depending on the mechanism of the injury and the individuals response. Diffuse axonal injury results from rotational acceleration-deceleration forces. It is thought to be a result of calcium influx and subsequent cytoskeletal damage. Injury to cell metabolism can cause axonal death in days; symptoms may appear soon after the TBI.

Focal injuries, such as subdural hematoma, epidural hematoma, subarachanoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage and cortical contusion, normally result from a direct blow to the head.5 Increasing Numbers More than 1.5 million Americans suffer a TBI per year; 250,000 of these are hospitalized for a TBI per year.6,7 Some 80,000 to 90,000 of those hospitalized experience long-term disability.8 About 5.3 million Americans live with TBI-related disabilities.7 In 1995, the total direct and indirect costs of TBI in America were an estimated $56.3 billion.9 Recent military conflicts have added to these numbers: Some 30,327 service members have been wounded in action (and 3,423 killed in action) in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) as of November 23, 2007.10,11 Between January 2003 and October 2007, 31% of the patients who required medical evacuation to Walter Reed Army Medical

 Center (WRAMC) for battle-related injuries had a TBI.12 The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Centers (DVBIC) have seen 4,744 TBI patients at different sites.12 Between January 2003 and October 2007, the DVBIC at Walter Reed evaluated and treated 1,358 TBI patients from both conflicts, and the DVBIC lead VA polytrauma centers (Minneapolis; Palo Alto, Calif.; Richmond, Va.; and Tampa, Fla.) have seen a total of 883 TBI patients, also from both conflicts.10 Some 88% of the TBI patients seen at Walter Reed had closed brain injuries that were mainly due to blasts.13 The causes, from most common to least frequent, are improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and explosive-formed projectiles/ penetrators (EFPs), mortars; gun shot wounds, rocket-propelled grenades, vehicle-borne IEDs and motor vehicle accidents.

(See Optometrists and TBI at Walter Reed, below.) Sequelae Even if the patient reports no signs or symptoms, an assessment is necessary as early as possible whenever a patient sustains an injury known to cause TBI. Patients may not realize that they are experiencing visual dysfunctions from a TBI or that they may have sustained an ocular injury. Optometrists and TBI at Walter Reed When I learned that TBI patients who are either currently in or were previously in Walter Medical Center had related visual conditions that needed attention, I sought the help of other professionals. Support and assistance came from a variety of sources, including federal service providers (Veterans Administration and Department of Defense), private practitioners, educators, researchers, and optometric societies and associations. A group of individuals met at the 2005 meeting of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) to discuss the needs facing our TBI patients and providers. Some of these participants began participating in regular teleconference calls with WRAMC optometrists to address what was needed to assess and treat these patients. Members of this concerned group conducted a TBI Symposium at the 2006 AAO meeting; their lectures were printed in the Journal of Behavioral Optometry.

Many things were needed to further our care of TBI patients. Our goals: Attempt to examine every TBI, blast and amputee patient admitted to WRAMC. Get involved with the interdisciplinary provider workgroup that regularly discusses these patients conditions and treatment. Educate our interdisciplinary practitioners by engaging experienced consultants and attending and conducting continuing education programs. Document the care provided. Publish scientific research with the ultimate goal of establishing relevant clinical practice guidelines. Optometrists soon became members of the WRAMC interdisciplinary team, which also consists of neurologists, orthopedists, physiatrists, psychiatrists, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, physician assistants and others. Since the summer of 2006, our optometrist has tried to examine all TBI, blast and amputee patients admitted to WRAMC. At times, patients were not physically or mentally ready to be assessed, or they may have left our hospital before we could see them. But, these instances have been rare, as we repeatedly visit the patients to assess and provide the care they need when they are ready.

We soon found that by helping patients with their visual dysfunctions (accommodative dysfunctions, diplopia, visual field defects, visual midline shift or refractive correction) that other rehabilitative modalitiessuch as occupational, physical, and speech therapybenefited as well. Other members of the interdisciplinary team began referring more patients to optometry for evaluation. The WRAMC optometrists have attended and lectured at several interdisciplinary continuing education programs, published an article and commentary in the Journal of Behavioral Optometry, encouraged other optometrists to get involved in the treatment of TBI patients, and are currently working with key VA individuals to help chart the future in this area of care. While recovery takes place for at least 18 to 36 months, an estimated 80% to 85% of the recovery occurs within the first six monthsa finding that underscores the importance of early assessment and treatment.5 (However, it may never be too late to assess and treat these patients.1) Conditions and symptoms include visual, cognitive, auditory, vestibular, physical, emotional and/or behavioral dysfunctions.

For example, post-concussion symptoms reported by patients in one VA clinic include sleep disturbances (84%), irritability (84%), attention/concentration problems (79%), mood swings (76%), memory problems (76%), headaches (71%), light/noise sensitivity (69%), depression (66%), visual disturbances (66%), tinnitus (58%), excessive fatigue (58%), balance problems (42%) and dizziness (40%).14 At the same site, 75% of patients with TBI reported visual problems including photosensitivity (59%), even though most patients showed normal to near-normal corrected visual acuity and visual fields. They also found oculomotor problems in 70% of the patientsconvergence dysfunctions (46%), pursuit and/or saccadic dysfunction (25%), accommodative dysfunction (21%), strabismus (11%) and fixation dysfunction or nystagmus (5%).

And, 84% of the patients reported problems reading since their concussive injury.14 Other symptoms of vision problems following a TBI include blurred vision, confusion when doing visual tasks, dizziness/vertigo, double vision, eye strain, headache, reduced attention on visual tasks and visual fatigue.15,16 Signs may include abnormal body posture, closing or covering one eye, head tilts or turns, poor judgment of depth or a reduced ability to accurately locate objects. The Palo Alto team also found that polytrauma due to blast injuries more than doubled the risk of visual impairment compared with all other polytrauma causes (i.e., motor vehicle accidents, gunshot/shrapnel, assaults, falls or anoxia). The rate of visual impairment from blast-related injuries was 52%, compared to 20% for all other sources of injury.14 Another study found that a significant percentage of eyes exposed to a blast-induced TBI demonstrated angle recessions, cataracts and a reduction in the number of endothelial cells.17 Evaluation and Management These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive binocular vision and ocular health exam.

The comprehensive eye and vision evaluation should include refractive error, ocular motility disorders, binocular anomalies, accommodative disorders, ocular health and visual information processing.15 The optometric evaluation may include extended sensorimotor evaluation, higher cerebral function assessment of visual information processing, low vision evaluation, extended visual field evaluation and electrodiagnostic testing.15 William Padula, O.D., stated that the rehabilitation of a TBI patient requires understanding of how neurological dysfunctions interfere with motor, sensory and cognitive processes.3 Neuro-optometric rehabilitation, he says, is especially important when evaluating binocularity and spatial and perceptual motor function, especially as each relates to dysfunction between ambient and focal visual processing. Rehabilitation for TBI patients often requires providers of different disciplines to work together. Optometrists are an important part of the management teame.g., when dealing with vestibular dysfunction.18 A.H. Cohen concluded that the impact of visual sensory motor function on vestibular function and associated rehabilitation are apparent, and he suggests integrating vision and vestibular therapies to fully restore balance function.18 Management options for patients with acquired brain injury include: Treatment of the visual dysfunction.

This may involve using lenses, prisms, occlusion, low vision devices, and/or yoked prisms, bi-nasal occlusion, vision therapy and prismatic visual field expansion devices. Treatment of ocular disease or injury. This may involve treating the patient or comanaging him or her with other healthcare professionals. Counseling and consultation. You will need to educate the patient and his or her family or caregiver about the problem, functional implications, goals, prognosis, and management options. Also, youll need to consult with others about rehabilitation and health care.15 Several studies using objective eye movement recording and subjective rating of reading ability investigated the effects of systematic, oculomotor rehabilitation in subjects with acquired brain injuries.19,20 In one study, two subjects improved objectively in terms of basic versional oculomotor accuracy and reading ability. These findings concurred with their subjective impressions.19 More research about visual dysfunctions related to TBI must be undertaken. There are many case studies, but they have few subjects, and there are very few randomized controlled trials or well-designed controlled trials without randomization. And, the causes and treatment of visual dysfunctions were not universally agreed upon.

Studies that have evaluated and reported on some of the existing interventions might be more widely accepted if they were included in translational and randomized control studies. (See The Need for Additional Research, below.) The Need for Additional Research This population of patients presents unique methodological challenges, such as recruitment, population characteristics, follow-up and the conducting of double-blind randomized controlled trials. Randomized clinical trials are the highest research level by which researchers test the efficacy and safety of interventions, but there is a lack of such research in many areas, including visual dysfunctions related to TBI. This creates a dilemma, since it takes about 17 years to go from first discovery at the bench to changing care for all.21 Translational research is an approach that may shorten the 17-year time line. Its goal is to consolidate resources from clinical and translational science, which, in turn, will: Captivate, advance, and nurture a cadre of well-trained multi- and interdisciplinary investigators and research teams. Create an incubator for innovative research tools and information technologies. Synergize multi- and interdisciplinary clinical and translational researchers to catalyze the application of new knowledge and techniques at the front lines of patient care.

The National Institutes of Health is trying to increase interaction between clinicians and scientists and generate studies able to translate research findings into health care changes. Brain Injury Conference Following the December 2007 Veterans Administration (VA)/Department of Defense Visual Consequences of Acquired Brain Injury Conference, a group of optometrists, ophthalmologists, and members of other disciplines met and agreed to develop an evidence-review process for TBI. This review process of evidence and literature is modeled on the approach of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force. It focuses on preparing a meta-analytical review, which relies on a specific analytical framework that clearly specifies key linkages with patient outcomes and presents both clear guidance on admissible levels of evidence and specific population inclusion/exclusion criteria for the literature/studies in question. Part of this process will be to evaluate the individual study, ranging from randomized controlled trials to opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical experience, descriptive studies and case reports, or reports of expert committees. Another outcome of this meeting: Representatives agreed that a TBI Registry is necessary to record and share visual and ocular findings and treatments among the DOD, VA and civilian individuals.

This registry would allow us to better understand the relationship between the visual and ocular conditions of TBI and the efficacy of the prescribed treatment. O.D.s can play an important role in diagnosing and treating TBI-related visual conditions and working with other providers. There will be both opportunities and responsibilities in taking care of our returning injured service men and women in addition to the millions of civilian TBI patients. As part of the interdisciplinary team, O.D.s can enhance the rehabilitative progress and the quality of life of these patients. Dr. Francis L. McVeigh, a retired U.S. Army colonel, is the former chief of the Walter Eye Scans: A Window to the Body - Health & Science - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com Eye Scans: A Window to the Body CBN News Science & Medical Reporter Monday, December 21, 2009 Ad Feedback If you believe going to get your eyes checked is simply about vision, glasses or contacts -- think again. Optometrists have looked beyond our eyes to find other problems for many years. Digital technology is opening that door even wider.

Traditionally, the eyes are said to be the window to the soul, somehow revealing our innermost secrets and the nature of our personalities. Whatever the case, the eyes do serve as our window to the world. For most people, the eyes need a little help from our friends in those regular optometrist visits. Yet as important as eyewear is for daily living, other aspects can be more important for life and health. Those aspects can be explored using the eye as a window -- to the body. "It's the only place in the body where we can actually see living tissue without having to dissect the tissue away to see how the blood flows in the blood vessels," Dr. Kenneth Lebow, an optometrist, explained. Lebow says obtain an excellent view of the posterior pole of the eye, the retina, is critical. Optomap Technology Lebow gets that view from Optomap, a new technology that captures detailed images of the back of the eye. Many patients are choosing the scan to go beyond routine exams. Optomap and similar technologies help medical detectives find clues about damage to the body ranging from diabetes to glaucoma to high blood pressure. They can even spy out some brain tumors as well as and cancers right in the retina.

Eye physicians can spot the tiny black mass that is a malignant melanoma. Plus he can use different views, such as the "red-free" laser option, to assess and highlight this major problem. The key part of the retina is the macula. That's a tiny spot where most of our detailed color vision occurs. Diabetes can make the macula especially vulnerable. With the Optomap image, eye doctors can see white swollen spots indicating diabetic retinopathy, retinal damage from diabetes. The effects of those spots, if allowed to continue unchecked, do degrade vision. From the same scan showing those white spots in a diabetic, physicians can discern additional concerns. For instance, Lebow can distinguish certain red spots. "These are hemorrhages in the eye as a result of uncontrolled diabetes," he pointed out. That damage from internal eye bleeding can potentially turn a person's vision from a normal clarity to one of blurriness and gaps. Retinal images also help evaluate another common problem called macular degeneration. This condition increases as we age and eventually causes patients to lose the very center of eyesight. Lifestyle Changes High blood pressure, or hypertension, can be a silent killer that threatens the eyes and even life itself.

Lebow tells the story of one young lady with hemorrhages from hypertension, "When we looked in and saw the image and showed it to her, we immediately referred her to her primary care physician," he explained. "She had a blood pressure of 250 over a 140. She was just about ready to stroke out." Weak vessels in the retina often indicate the vessels feeding the heart are also in bad shape. That could mean heading right from the eye doctor to the cardiologist. As diagnosis improves, eye doctors are starting to recommend lifestyle changes. Those changes for the good can be monitored in retinal scans. Thus the outcome of those eye pictures can show improvement -- an advantage in people of any age. For instance, just a daily dose of a couple vitamin C tablets plus some vitamin E can combine to help blood flow better in the retina. That also can keep the tiny vessels, arteries and veins, from breaking. Zinc supplements are especially important as we age. They also support circulation for both better eye and brain function.

Lebow says getting that first eye scan is useful for now and for comparison in the future "because in health care it's the changes from the baseline that we really get concerned with." A scan now and a scan later can easily demonstrate those telling alterations. With better and better images of the back of the eye, eye care professionals can help guide the public not only into better vision, but improved overall health. First aired on March 18, 2009. Medical Center Clinic - OPTOMETRY - Pensacola, FL WELCH SKINCARE CENTER OPTOMETRY The Optometry department would like for you to know about our full line of eye care services. We take great pride in providing the level of care you would expect from concerned healthcare professionals. Complete and comprehensive eye examinations and eyeglass prescriptions are only the beginning. We also provide a number of services including contact lens examinations and fittings. Our full service optical shop stocks many affordable and elite lines of optometric quality frames, and, our onsite laboratory ensures accurate fulfillment of your corrective lens prescription. If you need your glasses adjusted or repaired, we offer a variety of complementary services to help, and we would like for you to pay us a visit.

Five Core Services: Medical Center Clinic offers the following services in the Optometry and Optical Shop. Eye examinations. An annual, comprehensive eye exam is important! Regular eye examinations are an integral part of maintaining your best possible vision and eye health. It also provides a crucial screening for glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and other ocular systemic health conditions. A thorough vision examination will test your visual skills and abilities to maximize your visual performance. Contact Lenses. We provide the latest in quality, and innovative contact lenses, including extended wear, bifocal, RGP (rigid gas permeable) lenses, as well as lenses for astigmatism. Optical Department. Our frame selection offers you a wide variety of styles that will enhance you cosmetically while providing excellent comfort. We offer more than 1000 choices, including designer frames like Christian Dior, Sophia Loren, and Silhouette. Also on hand are the latest looks from popular designers Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. Our highly trained opticians can help you find the perfect frame for your look and your budget. On Site Surfacing Laboratory. We can do almost all lenses with a few hours on the same day of service.

We offer a complete line of scratch resistant, anti-reflective coating, multi-focal, progressive, and thin and light eye glass lenses. Repairs and Other Services. We can adjust glasses that have been bent out of shape. Replace discolored nose pads, replace a lost screw, or simply clean your eyeglass lenses. You can stop in any time for one of our friendly opticians to assist you. Common Eye Conditions I. Refractive errors Hyperopia (farsightedness): If you are farsighted, you can focus well on distant objects, but not as well on nearby objects. The most common cause of hyperopia is a normal variation in the shape of the eyeball; the length of the eyeball is too short (from front to back). In some cases, hyperopia may be caused by the cornea having too flat a curvature. Many people have a degree of farsightedness, yet it is only a problem if it significantly impairs your ability to see well. Myopia (nearsightedness): If you are nearsighted, you can focus well on nearby objects, but not as well on distant objects.

Myopia occurs because either the eyeball is too long (from front to back) ,or the cornea has too steep a degree of curvature. Myopia begins between the ages 8 and 12 and nearly always before the age of 20. Often the degree of myopia increases as the body grows rapidly, and then levels off in adulthood. Presbyopia: Presbyopia is a condition of vision in which the normally flexible lens of the eye gradually loses elasticity. It is usually first noticed when you have difficulty reading up close. Presbyopia, while often associated with aging, actually begins at youth. The age at which is is first noticed varies, but it usually begins to interfere with near vision in the late 30's and early 40's. Presbyopia affects everyone to a degree, and there is no known prevention. Astigmatism: Astigmatism usually occurs when the front surface of the eye (the cornea) has an irregular curvature. Normally the cornea should be smooth and equally curved in all directions. In astigmatism, the cornea is less perfect (more like a football than a basketball). This abnormality of the eye creates vision best described as looking into a funhouse mirror.

Images may be wavy or distorted. Astigmatism is a very common condition. Some experts agree that almost everyone is affected. Symptoms are often present at birth, and the degree of astigmatism may remain the same throughout life. II. Cataracts Although there are several different types of cataracts, they all consist of the loss of transparency in the crystalline lens of the eye. Chemical changes within the protein material of the lens cause clouding and discoloration. As the eye changes, the front lens becomes increasingly opaque, causing gradual loss in sight. Severe cataracts may cause a complete loss of functional vision. While no one age group is immune, cataracts generally develop around age 50. Cataract quick factsï¿½ Cataracts are not caused by over use of the eye. Cataracts are not a coating or film on the eye. Cataracts are not contagious, nor can the spread from one eye to the other. If you suspect you may have cataracts, a complete examination is necessary to determine the best possible treatment. III. Glaucoma Glaucoma is an eye disease which may result in early blindness if not treated.

It is caused by increased pressure, within the eye, destroying or damaging the optic nerve. The effects of glaucoma are serious and irreversible, so early detection is imperative. People with a family history of glaucoma and those who are nearsighted are at higher risk. Also at risk are those with diabetes, anemia, or hardening of the arteries. And, while glaucoma does not discriminate, African Americans develop glaucoma more frequently than other racial groups. There is more than one type of glaucoma, but each is best detected by thorough and frequent eye examinations. For detailed information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at 850.474.8220. Meet our Staff Jennifer Werrell, OD Jennifer Werrell, OD, attended Gannon University in Pennsylvania for her undergraduate degree, and went on to attain her doctorate in optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Dr. Werrell gained further ocular disease management experience while completing her residency at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia, PA.

She has ten years of experience and training in primary eye care including contact lens fittings, LASIK pre and post operative care, cataract pre and post operative care, and glaucoma treatment and management. Physicians Dr. Rachael Wruble - OD (Gastonia, NC) - Optometrist - Reviews & Appointments Optometrist Professional Statement Dr. Wruble sees the eye as a piece of the puzzle – interconnected to the rest of the body. So a problem with the eye can be a result of a problem with the body. She wanted to be a part of a practice where exams are not just about the eye, but a part of the comprehensive care of the entire patient. Establishing a personal relationship with her patients is also important to her, so becoming a part of Summit Eye Associates was a perfect fit. Her optometric areas of interest have focused on ocular disease, specialty contact lenses, and low vision.

Her advanced training in these areas includes: Specialty Contact Lens Seminar – The Vision Care Institute, LLC Optometric Glaucoma Society Residents Symposium – Optometric Glaucoma Society Fluorescein Angiography Course – NC State Optometric Society Paragon CRT for Corneal Refractive Therapy Certification Areas of Expertise Advanced residency training at Salisbury VA Medical Center focused on: Ocular Disease – Glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetes Specialty Contact Lenses – Keratoconus, Trauma, Advanced prescriptions Advanced Low Vision Exams Eyes - what they can tell you about your health | SixPartsWater Home › Knowledge Centre › Health Guides › Eyes - what they can tell you about your health Eyes - what they can tell you about your health Written by: Simon Crompton, medical writer & author A new generation of high-tech eye scans can detect everything from brain tumours to heart disease Eyes, they say, are the windows of the soul, but technological advances mean that they are rapidly becoming windows to our hearts, arteries, brain and nerves, too.

Tests offered by high street opticians and optometrists have always been useful for spotting eye diseases such as glaucomaIncreased pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure), which leads to visual loss., cataracts and macular degeneration, and some other conditions such as diabetes, which can be detected by tiny bursts in the eye’s bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. vessels. But now, if you’re prepared to pay extra, some opticians are offering high-tech tests involving laser scanning, digital photography and computerised assessment of your eye’s structure that can help to give an early diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have. of other health problems too. More than half of all sight loss is due to preventable causes and experts believe that up to a quarter of people with undiagnosed diabetes would have the condition spotted if they went for an eye test. Traditionally, the optician has found ill-health hotspots by peering into your eye with a hand-held light/magnifier (an opthalmoscope). But now, new advanced instruments are making eye examinations not just more accurate but capable of diagnosing a much wider range of conditions.

The eye has untapped potential as a means of diagnosing illness early because it is the only place in the human body where internal bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. vessels and nerves can be viewed working undisturbed. High-quality images produced by these new techniques improve the chances of detecting conditions such as high bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. pressure, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, diabetes and brain tumours through a simple eye check. “Opticians have long been very good at assessing the front of the eye for problems like cataracts,” says Andrew Coombes, a consultant eye surgeon at Barts and the London NHS Trust. “But it’s been more difficult with the equipment they’ve had to carefully examine the back of the eye, in particular, the whole retina and the point where the optic nerveBundle of fibres that carries information in the form of electrical impulses. joins it. The digital imaging techniques now available allow us to examine these vital structures at our leisure.

A lot of opticians are embracing this and have exploited its commercial and diagnostic potential.” High-resolution images of the retina at the back of the eye can reveal breaks or abnormalities in bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. vessels that might suggest circulation problems or hypertensionHigh blood pressure.. Inflammation of the optic nerveBundle of fibres that carries information in the form of electrical impulses. can sometimes indicate multiple sclerosis. Small blobs of cholesterolA substance present in many tissues and an important constituent of cell membranes although high concentrations of a certain type of cholesterol in the blood are unhealthy. in the retina can indicate high stroke risk. Coombes has received referrals from opticians using high-tech scanning techniques, who have been concerned by swelling at the back of the eye, the sign of a possible brain tumour, or signs of glaucomaIncreased pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure), which leads to visual loss. (damage to the optic nerveBundle of fibres that carries information in the form of electrical impulses. caused by high pressure in the eye). “People shouldn’t be frightened into having these tests, but they can provide a lot of reassurance,” he says.

It’s an extra reason for having an eye test, at a time when sight organisations are concerned that too many of us are skipping them. A recent survey by Action for Blind People found that one in four adults hadn’t had an eye test in the past two years, and the same proportion were unaware that an eye test could prevent them from losing their sight. The research base demonstrating the advantages of these 21st-century techniques is growing, but not extensive. Though they’re by no means available on every high street, they are becoming more widely embraced by opticians, and they are likely to become more easily available (see panel for details of how to find out about them). I went to try out some of the techniques available at a central London eye clinic. Over the course of an hour I was moved around the clinic from machine to machine, positioning my eye in the right place as directed. They’re basically painless, though some of them do involve bright lights and lasers being directed into your eye, which can be mildly disturbing (though I was reassured it’s perfectly safe). At the end of the tests, I was shown the fabulously colourful scans and graphs at his computer.

Despite having a retina that has become slightly darkened, possibly because of overexposure to sunlight, I’m assured that this is harmless and I’m all clear. These tests don’t come cheap. But when I finally get the all clear, it gives me a little reassurance that not only are my eyes healthy, but basically I am too. The Optomap panoramic retinal scanner What? A laser scan of the whole of the eye’s retina, producing a high-definition, multicolour image. Why? Scans can reveal the beginnings of a detached retina, retinal holes, macular degeneration, high blood pressure and blobs of cholesterolA substance present in many tissues and an important constituent of cell membranes although high concentrations of a certain type of cholesterol in the blood are unhealthy. in bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. vessels that might indicate high stroke risk. The images provided by Optomap provide a permanent record of virtually the full surface of the retina, whereas an optician can see only a small central part of the retina at eye examination, unless he or she dilates the pupils with drops, which is uncomfortable and inconvenient. What’s it like?

Pressing your eye into the opening on the machine and then positioning it correctly isn’t easy, and the bright red light of the laser scan into your eye is scary, leaving a strong after-image. But the images are stunning when revealed on the computer, and I’m reassured by the optometrist that my retina looks fine. Humphrey visual field analysis What? A kind of virtual star chamber, designed to check your field of vision. With one eye covered, you perch your head on the edge of a white hollow. As you stare at a central spot, tiny white lights go on and off randomly at the edge of your vision, and you have to click a button each time you see one. The computer calculates how many you managed to spot, and where. Why? Unusual blind spots can indicate eye conditions like glaucomaIncreased pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure), which leads to visual loss., diabetes, macular degeneration. The optometrist can pick up early signs of neurological disorders and brain tumours, which can cause blind spots. What it’s like? A bit like playing a 1980s computer game, but it’s tricky concentrating on that central spot. Laser Polarimeter (GDX) What?

Another type of laser scan of the back of the eye, Designed to diagnose glaucomaIncreased pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure), which leads to visual loss. by measuring the thickness of optic nerveBundle of fibres that carries information in the form of electrical impulses. fibres, which become damaged if eye pressure rises. You press your eye against an eyepiece and look at a flashing red dot, while at the control panel the optician targets your optic disc (where the optic nerveBundle of fibres that carries information in the form of electrical impulses. meets the retina) and takes a detailed image of it. Why? Glaucoma is difficult to detect in its early stages, but this imaging provides the earliest indication of damage. What it’s like? Vaguely uncomfortable but less alarming lights than the Optomap. Corneal topographer What? This machine maps the contours of your cornea, the outer covering of your eye in front of your iris. It’s a computer linked to a small illuminated bowl with a pattern of orange concentric rings in it, which is moved towards your eye. Why?

The cornea is one of the eye’s lenses, so irregularities in its shape can cause sight problems that need to be corrected with lenses, spectacles or laser surgery. But the cornea can also be affected by serious conditions such as keratoconus, which can cause blindness, and picking up irregularities early can prevent the condition from worsening. What it’s like? Nothing to worry about, even though it looks as if a heated oven ring is coming at you. Digital retinal photography What? A high-resolution, digital photograph of the central 30 degrees of the retina, the important part that includes the optic disc (where the optic nerveBundle of fibres that carries information in the form of electrical impulses. joins the retina) and the fovea (the central part of the macula, the most sensitive part of the retina). Why? Like Optomap, this is useful for detecting diabetes, macular degeneration, and optic nerveBundle of fibres that carries information in the form of electrical impulses. problems. What’s it like? You just place your chin on a rest in front of the camera, there’s a flash, and that’s it. The after-image of the flash, though, remains for a few minutes.

Who’s who? Optometrists (also known as ophthalmic opticians) are the opticians you are most likely to visit for sight tests and spectacles. They are trained to spot diseases that are revealed in the eye, such as diabetes Dispensing Opticians are qualified to fit and supply spectacles to a prescription provided by an optometrist. (c) Simon Crompton

Question: An optometrist is concerned with what part of the body?
Answer: Eyes