Scope of Practice & Services Optometric physicians provide the full range of primary eye health care services, which include virtually all eye care a person will ordinarily require. Optometric Physicians and Their Role in the Health Care Team Many people consider the ability to see their most important sense. Optometric physicians ( also known as optometrists ) have dedicated their professional lives to preserving and enhancing the vision and eye health of the public. Optometric physicians are the most accessible of all eye care providers, serving Washington State residents in all 39 counties. Optometric physicians are the primary health care professionals for the eye, providing comprehensive eye care to millions of Americans nationwide. It is estimated that more than 70% of primary eye examinations are conducted by optometric physicians. Optometric physicians are held to the highest level of professional and legal standards when providing care for their patients. The scope of practice for optometric physicians is established and regulated by state law. Scope of Practice: Examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases, injuries and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures; Counsel and serve as a resource of information to their patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options that meet the visual needs of their occupations, avocations and lifestyles; Practice in many different settings: private practice clinics ( including partnerships with MDs ), refractive surgery centers, health maintenance organizations, veteran's administration hospitals, other hospitals, universities and corporate locations. Optometric physicians diagnose and treat conditions including: glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disorders, lid disorders, infections such as conjunctivitis, ocular complications from systemic disease such as hypertension and diabetes and vision conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia. Optometric physicians work with other health care providers as part of the team to provide overall health care management for patients. Optometric physicians are often the first to detect signs of systemic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure during a comprehensive eye examination. Diabetes is an example of how optometric physicians work in partnership with primary care providers in managing and treating the overall health of patients. Proper diagnosis and continued monitoring by an optometric physician, along with coordinated efforts of the patient's primary care provider, can reduce the incidence of diabetes-related eye complications and blindness. The cost to our health care system could be greatly reduced if all people living with diabetes were to receive regular examinations and treatment. Comparable savings benefits can be realized from vision and eye health examinations of patients suffering from high blood pressure and other systemic diseases. Education and Training: Optometric physicians complete an undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of education at a college of optometry, leading to the Doctor of Optometry ( O.D. ) degree. Students average 1, 900 supervised direct-care clinical hours by the time of graduation. The average student has provided diagnostic treatment and services for an average of 2, 500 patients by graduation. Some O.D.s also complete a residency and fellowship in a specific area of practice giving them up to ten years of education. An optometric physician must complete oral, written and practical examinations in order to obtain a state license. The state requires every optometric physician to pursue continuing education as a requirement for license renewal. About the Optometric Physicians of Washington ( OPW ): OPW is the professional association that represents the profession of optometry in Washington State. OPW has over 800 members located throughout the state and is the state affiliate of the American Optometric As
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