Best Optometrists 2022
Blue Whale Optometry
The founder of Blue Whale Optometry has more than 30 years of experience in the field. The eye clinic provides glasses and contact lens exams, Latisse treatments for eyelash growth, ocular disease treatments, and retinal imaging. The doctors are members of the American Optometric Association. Patients have praised Blue Whale Optometry for its comfortable office and helpful, trustworthy staff.
ABQ Eye Care
ABQ Eye Care specializes in pediatric optometry. The clinic provides general eye exams, contact lens and glasses fittings, eye disease treatments, and vision therapy. Dr. Chan has served on the Illinois College of Optometry Alumni Council and the National Association of Women Business Owners. The doctor has won multiple awards, including Top 40 Under 40 by New Mexico Business Weekly and Presidential Award by the New Mexico Optometric Association.
Accent on Vision
Accent on Vision is a full-service Albuquerque eye clinic that provides comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, corneal refractive therapy, emergency eye care, LASIK consultations, and eye disease management. The practice carries designer eyewear including Oakley, Timex, Vera Wang, Oliver Peoples, Versace, and Prada. Patients have given positive feedback for Accent on Vision's friendly, professional staff and thorough exams.
City of Vision Eye Care
The doctors and staff at City of Vision Eye Care have more than 120 years of combined experience in the field. Based in Rio Rancho, the eye clinic gives eye examinations, uses the Optomap Retinal Exam, diagnoses and treats eye diseases, and treats common eye diseases. The practice carries non-scratch lenses, ultra-thin lenses, progressive lenses, and anti-reflective lenses. The staff speaks both English and Spanish.
Southwest Eyecare
Southwest Eyecare is a full-service eye clinic that provides medical and surgical care for cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal disorders, and treats diabetic eye disease. The clinic also performs LASIK surgery and non-laser vision correction. The practice carries designer frames from brands such as BCBG, Cole Haan, Flexon, LuLu Guinness, Marchon, Nike, and other brands. Patients have praised Southwest Eyecare for its professional and knowledgeable doctors.
Cedar Crest Vision
The doctor at Cedar Crest Vision has been working in optometry for more than 35 years. The eye clinic gives comprehensive eye exams, diagnoses and treats eye disease, detects general health problems manifested in the eye, provides pre- and post-operative care, and provides emergency eye treatment. The practice provides fittings and prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses, and carries eyeglass frame brands such as Banana Republic, Coach, Guess, Versace, and Juicy Couture.
The Vision Store
The doctor at The Vision Store has been practicing optometry for more than 20 years. The practice, based in Bernalillo, has an in-house optical lab and provides eye care, medical eye care, and emergency eye care. The eye clinic stocks contact lenses, designer glasses, high-index polarized lenses, transition lenses, and anti-reflective coated lenses. Patients have praised the business for its thorough and insightful staff.
Folkman Eye Clinic
The optometrist at Folkman Eye Clinic has more than 35 years of experience in the field. The Albuquerque eye clinic gives contact lens exams, eye health evaluations, and eye focus and movement testing. The clinic provides specialty procedures including anterior and posterior segment photography, Optical Coherence Tomography, and radiowave surgery. The practice is a member of the American Optometric Association.
Family & Children's Eye Center of New Mexico
Family & Children's Eye Center of New Mexico provides vision testing and treatments for common eye problems for kids and adults. The clinic carries frame brands including BCBG, Ellen Tracy, Vogue, Ralph Lauren, and Vera Bradley. The eye clinic has been caring for patients since 1972. Patients have praised the practice for its professional and courteous staff.
Modern Eyez
Modern Eyez is a Vision Source clinic founded in Rio Rancho in 2003. The optometrist has more than 15 years of experience in the industry and is a member of the New Mexico Optometric Association. The eye clinic provides vision correction services, eye condition testing and treatment, and eye disease testing and treatment. The business stocks lenses, designer frames, sunglasses, and anti-reflective lenses.
Visualize Optometry
Visualize Optometry has been serving Albuquerque patients for more than 20 years. The business provides yearly eye exams, contact lens exams, and injury and infection treatments. The eye clinic carries contact lenses including soft lenses, lenses for astigmatism, multi-focal lenses, rigid gas permeable lenses, and colored lenses. The practice uses the Optomap retinal exam system for fast, easy eye exams.
InVision
InVision is a full-service eye and vision care facility that serves clients in Albuquerque and the neighboring areas. It offers a broad range of eye care services, including eye and vision exams, corrective lens evaluations, myopia control, and eye prescription management. Michelle Cohen, the facility's chief optometrist, previously worked at the Walmart Eye Clinic and has traveled over the world providing vision care to children. Seeing the necessity for a behavioral optometry clinic, she founded the business in 2015.
Casey Optical Co. New Mexico
The doctor at Casey Optical Co. New Mexico has been practicing optometry for more than 15 years. The Albuquerque eye clinic's services include routine vision exams for kids and adults, diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, and surgery management. The practice stocks the latest contact lenses, including soft and gas permeable lenses. The clinic also sells designer frames, including BCBG, Dolce and Gabbana, and Ralph Lauren.
Alissa M. Irons, OD
Alissa M. Irons, OD has been practicing optometry for more than 15 years. The eye clinic provides primary eye care, frame and contact lens fitting, ocular disease treatments, low vision rehab, and vision therapy. The practice's examination includes glaucoma screening, ocular disease exams, and neurological testing. The clinic cares for infants and kids as well as adults.
Expert Answers To Common Questions:
- Introduction
- What is an eye doctor called?
- What is an optometrist?
- Are optometrists doctors?
- What does an optometrist do?
- What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
- What’s the difference between an optometrist and an optician?
- When should someone see an eye doctor?
- How often should you go to the eye doctor?
- Why do eye doctors dilate your eyes?
- Can an optometrist prescribe medication?
- Should I go to the doctor for pink eye?
- Can you bring your own frames to the eye doctor?
- Can an optometrist treat eye infections?
- How does one become an optometrist?
- Do optometrists go to medical school?
- How long does it take to become an optometrist?
- How much do optometrists make?
- What degree do you need to be an optometrist?
- What does OD mean for an eye doctor?
- Q: Introduction
- A: An optometrist is an eye care specialist who diagnoses and treats vision issues with corrective eyewear or contact lenses. Optometrists are licensed to practice optometry, an area of eye health that includes performing eye exams, diagnosing eye abnormalities, testing for eye disease, and prescribing medications. Following diagnosis, optometrists assist patients with treating immediate issues and managing vision changes.All optometrists are required to complete four years of optometry school to earn a Doctor of Optometry degree. While an optometrist is not a medical doctor, they can provide ophthalmology referrals when patients require surgery or treatment out of their general scope.
- Q: What is an eye doctor called?
- A: An eye doctor with a medical degree is an ophthalmologist. Optometrists aren't medical doctors; however, they're licensed professionals who can diagnose a wide range of eye issues, prescribe medications to treat eye infections, and provide continuing care for changing eye health in children, adults, and seniors.
- Q: What is an optometrist?
- A: An optometrist is an eye care professional that has a license and certification in optometry. Optometrists hold OD degrees, which allows them to perform thorough eye exams, both visually and through computer technology, diagnose eye abnormalities and infections, and prescribe eyewear, contact lenses, and various types of medication.
- Q: Are optometrists doctors?
- A: An optometrist is not a medical doctor. Optometrists hold OD degrees, which are Doctor of Optometry degrees. Similar to medical doctors, optometrists can diagnose and treat eye disease and prescribe medications, such as eye antibiotics, eye analgesics, and ocular antivirals.
- Q: What does an optometrist do?
- A: Optometrists have a focus on eye health and vision correction. An optometrist performs visual examinations of the eye and retina through a phoropter machine, diagnoses eye conditions ranging from visual issues to bacterial infections, and prescribes contact and corrective lenses.
- Q: What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
- A: An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry, while an ophthalmologist is an actual medical doctor who has completed traditional medical school with a focus on eye health. Optometrists can diagnose eye conditions and create treatment and management plans, and they can prescribe eyewear. Ophthalmologists can perform eye surgery and treat conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
- Q: What’s the difference between an optometrist and an optician?
- A: An optometrist is a Doctor of Optometry who diagnoses eye diseases, performs examinations for vision conditions, and prescribes corrective eyeglasses and contacts. Optometrists can also prescribe antivirals, antihistamines, and antibiotics to help treat eye infections, dry eyes, and allergies. Opticians are eye care professionals that aid in fitting eyeglasses and devices to correct vision.
- Q: When should someone see an eye doctor?
- A: A person should schedule an appointment with an eye doctor if they notice any deviation in their vision, such as blurriness, persistent floaters, sudden vision loss, or eye pain. Additionally, eye doctors can assist with diagnosing and treating bacterial eye infections, including cellulitis and keratitis, severe eye allergies, and viral conditions, such as ocular herpes.
- Q: How often should you go to the eye doctor?
- A: Eye care professionals recommend routine eye exams every one to two years. Individuals with degenerative eye conditions may be required to visit the eye doctor yearly or semiannually. Routine eye exams for individuals with minor to severe vision problems help eye doctors manage conditions and spot warning signs for potential diseases.
- Q: Why do eye doctors dilate your eyes?
- A: Eye dilation is a necessary aspect of the eye exam process. The procedure is performed with either eye drops or Optomap computerized technology, and it allows eye care specialists to test eye muscle function and measures how light enters the eye. Dilation also aids in diagnosing eye abnormalities and testing side vision.
- Q: Can an optometrist prescribe medication?
- A: A licensed optometrist can prescribe a wide range of medications for infections, viruses, and allergies. Specific medications optometrists can prescribe include amoxicillin, prednisone steroids, acyclovir antivirals, and analgesics, including Vicodin for pain. Optometrists can also prescribe moistening drops and drops to treat allergies.
- Q: Should I go to the doctor for pink eye?
- A: Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an extremely contagious eye infection. While symptoms that accompany the infection can often be treated at home, antibiotics are often required to eliminate the bacteria. Patients may request prescriptions over the phone, but it's important to visit a doctor for symptoms, such as severe pain, light sensitivity, and severe redness.
- Q: Can you bring your own frames to the eye doctor?
- A: In most cases, patients can bring their own frames to the eye doctor. If an optician is on-site, new lenses can be cut by grinding machines to fit into existing frames. In addition to bringing frames to an eye doctor, certain eyeglass retailers, such as Visionworks and Costco, assist with placing new lenses into old frames.
- Q: Can an optometrist treat eye infections?
- A: Licensed optometrists can diagnose and treat eye infections. Treatments include prescribing medications, such as eye antibiotics, antihistamines, and steroid drops. Diagnostic measures may include visual eye exams and culture samples. Common eye infections include conjunctivitis, ocular herpes, and styes.
- Q: How does one become an optometrist?
- A: Optometrists are required to complete four years of optometry school following three or more years of college courses. Once optometry school is completed, an optometrist receives an OD degree, which stands for Doctor of Optometry.
- Q: Do optometrists go to medical school?
- A: Optometrists do not go to traditional medical school. They attend optometry school for a four-year period, with courses that include basic science, anatomy, medical pathology, Optometric Theory and Methods, and ocular pharmacology. Upon completion, optometrists earn Doctor of Optometry degrees.
- Q: How long does it take to become an optometrist?
- A: Optometrists must complete four-year optometry programs at accredited optometry schools. Three years or more of general college courses must be completed before students can move forward to optometry school. If the student wishes to pursue additional certifications, more time may be needed.
- Q: How much do optometrists make?
- A: As of 2021, the average salary for an optometrist is between $113,380 and $141,904 per year. Additional factors that can result in higher or lower salaries include the time on the job and overall experience, additional degrees and certifications, patient bases, and geographical locations.
- Q: What degree do you need to be an optometrist?
- A: To become a licensed, professional optometrist, students must earn a Doctor of Optometry degree. Licensed optometrists can perform examinations, diagnose eye health issues, and prescribe eyewear and contact lenses for vision correction.
- Q: What does OD mean for an eye doctor?
- A: OD stands for Doctor of Optometry. A Doctor of Optometry degree is received once an optometry student completes four years of optometry school. Optometrists can diagnose and assist managing eye issues within a specific scope, while ophthalmologists earn M.D. Doctor of Medicine degrees and can perform eye surgery procedures.