Those considering a career in optometry should be aware of the various subspecialties available.
Optometrists are specialists in a primary care profession, hence, having subspecialties provides or serves a variety of purposes for Optometrists.
It may include giving the role a particular subject, going beyond the school curriculum, and much more.
This is very useful not only for those who are considering work as a corporate optometrist but also for those who want to set up their practice.
It will cover not only why subspecialties are essential and what they are, but also how to obtain them.
Subspecialty Index for Optometry
The list below should provide a thorough understanding of all that comes under such a classification. Bear in mind, however, that an ordinary optometrist does not generally perform a given set of functions.
- Sports Vision
- Dry Eye
- Contact Lens Fitting
- Vision Therapy
- Geriatric Care
- Pediatric Care
- Binocular Disorders
- Low Vision
- Neurorehabilitative Optometry
- Refractive Surgery Comanagement
- Glaucoma Co-management
We will try to tap into some higher-level overview on some of the subspecialties.
Sports Vision
Sports Vision is the subspecialty that aims to help and enhance the performance of the sportspersons by improving their eyes through a series of visual exercises.
Such preparation is essential for any sports person’s career, regardless of sport, since a visual issue may cause a performance problem.
Exams and rehabilitation are tailored to the patient’s sport and role and are much more comprehensive than a regular eye test.
Dry Eye
Dry eyes as the name imply that a person’s eyes do not produce enough moisture, this is a common ailment that affects everyone from time to time, especially when exposed to strong winds or low humidity. It usually occurs when the eye does not produce enough oils in the tears, causing them to become very watery.
The reason for it, on the other hand, may be due to a variety of factors. One of the most common causes is rosacea, a common skin disorder that causes blood vessels to grow closer to the surface.
Since the blood vessels in the conjunctiva are more noticeable, the eye becomes watery and irritated (the white of the eye).
The negative aspect of this issue is that the cause of this disorder is unclear at this time, and it is incurable.
Contact Lens Fitting
Contact lenses have progressed from cutting-edge innovation to a mainstream product. It has become an integral part of optometry today.
However, contact lenses are still considered to be a medical device that still carries risks and should be handled with care.
Doctor of optometry must advise their patients about contact lenses.
For an instance, wearing a contact lens overnight can cause epithelial erosion on the eye’s surface, resulting in an irritated and painful sensation for the wearer.
Vision Therapy
Vision therapy is related to the treatment of cross-eye, lazy eye, convergence insufficiency, double vision, and visual learning disorders.
When coping with learning difficulties, the therapy helps to overcome visual issues that interfere with learning, reading, and educational instruction.
To make therapy more successful, the patient is often expected to perform additional activities at home.