Optometrists are health professionals who specialise in testing eyes. They have been extensively trained not only to test vision but also to monitor the health of eyes. During these tests they will be looking for signs suggesting damage caused by conditions like glaucoma or diabetes as well as finding out how well you see and whether you need to wear spectacles.

There are different types of optometrists:

Therapeutic optometrists have completed postgraduate training that allows them to treat some eye conditions. Therapeutic optometrists are also allowed to prescribe pharmaceutical agents for the management of certain eye conditions.

Behavioural optometrists work predominantly with children, providing exercises and corrective measures to improve sight; typically a lazy eye where one eye is not working as well as the other.

Find a list of optometrists in your region here.