Doctors of optometry lead primary eye health care, helping patients and families take the first step toward healthier eyes and healthier bodies.
Doctors of optometry (ODs) are the leaders in primary eye health care. They help patients and their families take the first step toward healthier eyes and healthier bodies — often catching signs of systemic disease before any other provider.
Education and Training
To become a Doctor of Optometry, candidates must:
- Complete a bachelor's degree (typically in biology or a pre-health science)
- Pass the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT)
- Complete four years at an accredited optometry college
- Pass national and state board examinations
- Obtain a state license to practice
Some optometrists also complete a residency for additional specialization in areas like pediatric eye care, geriatric eye care, or low vision rehabilitation.
What Can an OD Treat?
Doctors of optometry can:
- Perform comprehensive eye exams
- Prescribe glasses and contact lenses
- Diagnose and treat eye diseases (glaucoma, dry eye, conjunctivitis, etc.)
- Prescribe medications for eye conditions
- Co-manage pre- and post-surgical eye care
- Provide low vision rehabilitation
Your OD as Your Eye Health Partner
Think of your optometrist as your primary care provider for your eyes. Annual visits allow for early detection of conditions that have no early symptoms — like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy — when treatment is most effective.
Dr. Jana Murakami, OD is deeply rooted in the Leeward and West Oahu community, with specialties in multifocal contact lens evaluation and diabetic eye care.