Eye Care

An eye care professional is an individual who provides a service related to the eyes, vision or eye care. Eye care is a general term that can refer to any healthcare worker involved in eye care, from one with a small amount of post-secondary training to practitioners with a doctoral level of education.

Eye care is the provision of appropriate, accessible, and affordable care that meets patients’ eye care needs in a comprehensive and competent manner. Eye care provides the patient with the first contact for eye care as well as a lifetime of continuing care.

Eye care services are integrated to meet the needs of patients from a single source so patients receive quality, efficient eye care that is coordinated with general health care services. Competent and expert management and decision-making are critical in promoting the quality and efficiency of eye care.

Eye care services include:

1. Educating patients about maintaining and promoting healthy vision.
2. Performing a comprehensive examination of the visual system.
3. Screening for eye diseases and conditions affecting vision that may be asymptomatic.
4. Recognizing ocular manifestations of systemic diseases and systemic effects of ocular medications.
5. Making a differential diagnosis and definitive diagnosis for any detected abnormalities.
6. Performing refractions.
7. Fitting and prescribing optical aids, such as glasses and contact lenses.
8. Deciding on a treatment plan and treating patients’ eye care needs with appropriate therapies.
9. Counseling and educating patients about their eye disease conditions.
10. Recognizing and managing local and systemic effects of drug therapy.
11. Determining when to triage patients for more specialized care and referring to specialists as needed and appropriate.
12. Coordinating care with other physicians involved in the patient’s overall medical management.