Optometrists are health professionals who diagnose and treat many vision problems and diseases of the eye. An optometrist is not a medical doctor, but rather a doctor of optometry (OD).

Optometrists can perform routine vision testing, prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, detect vision problems and eye disease, prescribe medicines to treat some diseases of the eye, and provide care before and after eye surgery.

After undergraduate study, optometrists must complete optometry school. They must take a national licensing examination and are licensed by the state in which they practice.