An optometrist is a healthcare professional who provides primary vision care — including eye exams, prescriptions for glasses and contacts, and diagnosis of eye diseases.
An optometrist is a healthcare professional who provides primary vision care and is licensed to practice optometry, which includes performing eye exams, writing prescriptions for contact lenses and glasses, identifying abnormalities in the eye, and treating certain eye diseases.
What Does an Optometrist Do?
According to the American Optometric Association, doctors of optometry are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures — as well as diagnose related systemic conditions.
Optometrists examine the internal and external structure of the eyes to diagnose:
- Eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal disorders
- Systemic diseases like hypertension and diabetes (which often show early signs in the eyes)
- Vision conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia
Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist
An optometrist completes four years of professional education at a college of optometry after undergraduate studies, earning a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in eye surgery and disease.
For most people, an optometrist is your primary eye care provider — the person you see for annual eye exams, glasses, contacts, and managing chronic eye conditions. When surgery or complex medical intervention is needed, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.
Why Regular Eye Exams Matter
Your eyes can show early signs of serious health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, and even neurological issues — often before you notice any symptoms. Annual eye exams with your optometrist are one of the best preventive health investments you can make.
At Clear Sight Hawaii in Pearl City, Dr. Jana Murakami provides comprehensive eye exams for patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. She uses Optos ultra-widefield retinal imaging to examine your eye health in detail — without dilation in most cases.