Mission Statement

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Our mission to our members is to provide them with the education and tools to enable them to provide the public with the highest level of eye care. Our mission to the community is to provide education through public service announcements, to provide assistance to school nurses, and to work closely with service organizations to provide care to underserved populations around the world by participating in vision and medical screenings and eyeglass programs.

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What is an optometrist?

 

Doctors of Optometry are the nation’s largest eye care profession, serving patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country, where in more than 3,500 of these communities; they are the only eye care professionals. Doctors of Optometry are trained to examine, diagnose, treat and manage disorders that affect the eye or visual system. Optometry school consists of four years of accredited post-graduate, doctoral-level study concentrating on the eye, visual system and overall medical conditions as they relate to the eyes. Optometrists must pass rigorous national examinations administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). Upon completion of the program, graduates are awarded the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. Many optometrists participate in residency programs following optometry school. This experience offers Doctors of Optometry advanced training in sub-specialties such as vision development, low vision care, pediatric, geriatric and medical optometry. Throughout their careers, optometrists participate in ongoing continuing education courses to stay current on the knowledge that evolves from the latest research on theories relating to the causes and treatment of eye and systemic diseases, new surgical techniques, medicines and medical treatments, and technological advances in the development of new contact lens materials and premier spectacle lens options.