Frequently Asked Questions

Optometrist is a primary health care practitioner trained to diagnose signs of ocular, neurological and systemic health problems, and treat vision disorders. They prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, low vision aids, vision therapy and medicines to treat eye diseases as well as perform certain surgical procedures. Doctors of optometry must complete the same undergraduate curriculum as all other health care professionals. Optometry schools are four year curriculums, and include at least two years of clinical training. Following graduation, all optometrists must pass a battery of tests issued by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, which includes clinical competency testing.

An optician is an eye wear provider trained to select, manufacture, and dispense spectacles, and sell or deliver contact lenses upon the written prescription of an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Opticians are not licensed by optometrists or ophthalmologists, nor are they licensed by a state agency.

Under Federal Law, an optometrist is required to release a patient's spectacle prescription. Under Wisconsin state law optometrists are required to release a prescription for contact lenses upon a patient's request.

The doctor owns the actual record, however, you are entitled to a copy of the record upon a signed release, and the doctor is entitled to charge a reasonable fee for copying the record per Wisconsin law. The prescription for your glasses is considered a separate entity, and must be released as part of the examination fee. Eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions must have an expiration date.

Almost everyone can start with their local optometrist. By far the most common problems are optical in nature, and your local optometrist can readily help you find a solution. He/she is also trained to diagnose all eye and vision conditions. If your condition needs a medical or surgical consultation, a referral will be made to the appropriate medical specialist.

Vision Therapy is a program of activities and exercises taught in every Optometry School and used by specially trained Optometrists that has been shown to be effective in improving reading difficulties and certain other vision conditions. While often used in a multidisciplinary approach in conjunction with educational therapies, Vision Therapy is often more effective than special education, tutoring, and speech and language therapy, and often succeeds where other treatments have had limited success. Every child with a reading disability should have an eye exam by an optometrist.

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