About Optometrists

Doctors of Optometry (Optometrists) are primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system. They are the leading providers of lifetime vision care with a full range of prescriptive authority related to vision conditions and eye diseases.

There are over 350 licensed optometrists in Nebraska, practicing in more than half of Nebraska's counties. Optometrists provide access to primary eye care for the majority of the state's population.

Their education includes a four-year doctoral degree specializing in vision care, eye health, and primary eye care procedures.

• Detect and diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal disorders, lid disorders, and infections such as conjunctivitis
• Prescribe drugs to treat eye diseases
• Detect serious conditions like diabetes, hypertension, auto-immune diseases, and cancers through comprehensive eye exams
• Evaluate and treat vision conditions such as near-sightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia
• Perform minor procedures such as removing foreign objects from the eye
• Counsel patients on surgical and non-surgical options that meet visual needs for school, work and lifestyle
• Provide pre- and post-operative care, especially for glaucoma; laser surgery, refractive, and cataract patients
• Evaluate vision acuity (refraction) and prescribe corrective lenses or devices
• Provide vision therapy and low vision rehabilitation services