The Vision of Optometry
Have you watched TV with a baby boomer lately? Were they squinting?
Are the elders in your family having trouble reading the voting numbers on
American Idol or foreign film subtitles?
In the coming years, optometrists are going to be in demand -- big
time.
Like everyone else, the baby boomers are getting older. And some of them
are starting to experience the effects of aging. As people age, they often
start to have problems with their vision. How can they correct these vision
problems? Enter the optometrist.
Jeffrey Weaver is the associate director of the American Optometric Association
in St. Louis, Missouri. He says that the aging population will impact the
demand for optometrists.
"Everyone over about the age of 45 has the diagnosis of presbyopia, a condition
of reduced ability to focus the eyes to near objects. This is easily corrected
by spectacles," he says.
"The current number of optometrists is adequate to meet the current need
based on the number of examinations delivered annually [in the U.S.].
"Unfortunately, there are millions of Americans who lack appropriate care,
but may be unaware of this fact. Many eye and vision conditions do not have
symptoms until they are very advanced (such as glaucoma or diabetes), or have
symptoms not directly attributed to the eyes (such as headaches).
"As the population ages, the demand for eye care will increase," he says.
Optometry has also been impacted by new technologies in eye care. Today's
optometrists can manage and treat more conditions than the optometrists of
the past.
Laser surgery is a good example. Optometrists provide most of the pre-
and post-surgical care for people who have laser surgery to improve their
vision. Not long ago, the only ways to improve your vision were through eyeglasses
or contact lenses.
Kathleen M. Kinney is an optometric physician who offers vision therapy.
"Vision therapy is a series of vision procedures designed to help patients
develop or improve fundamental visual skills and abilities, which changes
how a patient processes or interprets visual information," she says. "Vision
therapy applies to patients of all ages."
Vision therapy is another area of optometry that is expected to increase
in demand.
"There are many doctors doing vision therapy, but not nearly enough to
meet the demands of the public," says Kinney.
For example, an estimated 25 percent of children have vision problems,
which can affect learning. Many adults also have vision problems, which can
affect their job performance. Some have suffered traumatic brain injury and
have resulting vision problems.
"As public awareness about vision problems and vision therapy continues
to increase, so will the demand for doctors specializing in this area," Kinney
says.
Today, choosing optometry as a career path can give you the opportunity
to work in an expanding field. New optometrists will be able to practice in
a variety of specialties, such as pediatrics, geriatrics and vision therapy.
The new optometrists will practice in diverse settings and locations.
Links
American Academy of Optometry
Promotes vision care
Review of Optometry
A treasure trove of information for people who want to practice
optometry
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