What Is an Optometrist: Eye Care Role & Services

Published October 6, 2026

By East Ridge Eye Center Editorial Team

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An optometrist is a licensed eye care professional who performs comprehensive vision exams, prescribes corrective lenses (glasses and contact lenses), and diagnoses common eye diseases. They have earned a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree and can detect conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and dry eye during routine examinations.

Optometrists serve as the first line of defense for most eye health needs in the Chattanooga area and across East Tennessee. They work alongside ophthalmologists—medical doctors who perform eye surgery—to ensure patients receive the right level of care for their vision and ocular health. Many families choose to start with an optometrist for routine exams and glasses, then get referred to an ophthalmologist if surgical intervention becomes necessary.

What Does an Optometrist Do?

An optometrist evaluates your vision and eye health through a series of tests and examinations. During a typical visit, they measure your ability to focus at different distances, assess how well your eyes work together, and screen for diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Optometrists also: - Prescribe glasses and contact lenses - Diagnose refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism) - Perform visual field testing and tonometry (eye pressure measurement) - Treat dry eye, eye allergies, and minor infections with topical medications - Refer patients to ophthalmologists when surgery or advanced treatment is needed

At East Ridge Eye Center in Chattanooga, optometrists work as part of a full-service team that includes board-certified ophthalmologists and an on-site optical shop. This integrated approach means your eye exam, glasses fitting, and any necessary surgical consultation can happen under one roof on Spring Creek Road.

How Does an Optometrist Differ from an Ophthalmologist?

Both optometrists and ophthalmologists care for your eyes, but their training and scope of practice differ significantly.

Optometrists hold a Doctor of Optometry degree (O.D.) after four years of specialized graduate study. They focus on vision correction, routine eye health screening, and non-surgical disease management.

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who complete medical school plus additional residency training in eye care. They can perform eye surgery, treat complex eye diseases, and manage medical conditions affecting vision.

In practice, optometrists handle your yearly exams and glasses prescriptions, while ophthalmologists perform procedures like cataract surgery, LASIK, retinal repair, and glaucoma laser treatment. East Ridge Eye Center features licensed, board-certified ophthalmologists on staff alongside optometric services, plus a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center for procedures. This means patients can move seamlessly from a comprehensive eye exam to surgical care if needed, without visiting multiple locations.

Think of it this way: an optometrist is your eye health partner for prevention and vision correction; an ophthalmologist is the specialist you see when surgery or complex medical treatment is necessary.

Why Should You See an Optometrist Regularly?

Regular optometrist visits are one of the smartest investments in your long-term health. Many serious eye conditions—glaucoma, diabetes-related retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration—develop silently with no symptoms until significant damage occurs.

An optometrist can catch these conditions early during a comprehensive exam. According to the American Academy of Optometry, routine eye exams detect not just vision problems but also signs of systemic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Key reasons for regular optometrist visits: - Early detection of eye disease saves vision - Prescription changes are tracked over time - Dry eye, allergies, and infections are treated promptly - Baseline measurements help monitor glaucoma risk - Children's vision development is assessed for learning success

East Ridge Eye Center recommends eye exams every one to two years for adults, and annually for children and seniors. The practice operates Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to noon, making it convenient for families in Chattanooga and surrounding areas to stay current with preventative eye care.

What to Expect During an Optometrist Appointment

Knowing what happens during an eye exam removes any anxiety and helps you prepare.

  1. Visual history: The optometrist asks about your vision, eye health, medications, and family history of eye disease.
  2. Refraction test: You look through a phoropter (the machine with different lenses) and indicate which lens combination gives the clearest vision.
  3. Visual acuity measurement: Testing how well you see at distance and near.
  4. Eye pressure test (tonometry): A quick, painless puff of air or gentle contact to screen for glaucoma.
  5. Dilated eye exam: Drops widen your pupils so the optometrist can examine the retina and optic nerve for disease.
  6. Binocular vision assessment: Checking how your eyes focus and work together.
  7. Prescription finalization: If you need glasses or contacts, the optometrist writes a prescription for the optical shop.

At East Ridge Eye Center, the full-service optical shop is on-site, so you can order glasses or contact lenses the same day as your exam. The relaxed, professional atmosphere ensures individualized attention for every family member, whether it's your first eye exam or a routine checkup.

How to Choose an Optometrist

Selecting the right optometrist matters for your eye health and comfort. Consider these factors:

East Ridge Eye Center combines optometric care with on-site ophthalmology and surgery capabilities, offering a full spectrum of eye care from routine exams to surgical correction. This continuity reduces referral delays and ensures coordinated care if your needs change.

When Should You See an Optometrist?

Routine eye exams should happen regularly, but certain symptoms warrant an urgent appointment.

Schedule an exam soon if you notice: - Blurred or cloudy vision - Difficulty seeing at night or reading small print - Eye pain, redness, or discharge - Floaters, flashes of light, or sudden loss of side vision - Frequent headaches - Trouble focusing on screens (digital eye strain)

Get emergency care immediately if you experience: - Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes - Eye trauma or injury - Sudden onset of many floaters or flashes - A dark shadow in your peripheral vision

East Ridge Eye Center emphasizes timely care—"don't delay" on receiving appropriate eye care. The practice's board-certified ophthalmologists are available for urgent situations that require medical or surgical intervention beyond routine optometric care. Calling (423) 894-1453 connects you with the scheduling team to arrange the right level of care for your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an optometrist perform eye surgery?

No. Optometrists cannot perform surgical procedures. They can diagnose conditions requiring surgery and refer you to an ophthalmologist. At East Ridge Eye Center, board-certified ophthalmologists on staff perform surgeries in-office or at an adjacent state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center, making it easy to transition from optometric care to surgical care when needed.

Do I need an eye exam if my vision feels fine?

Yes. Many serious eye conditions like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy develop without symptoms. Optometrists detect these diseases during routine exams before they damage your vision. The American Academy of Optometry recommends exams every one to two years for adults, and annually for children and seniors.

What is the difference between an optometrist and an optician?

An optometrist is a licensed eye doctor (O.D.) who performs exams and prescribes lenses. An optician is a technician trained to fit glasses and contacts based on a prescription. Opticians do not conduct eye exams or diagnose eye disease. East Ridge Eye Center's full-service optical shop includes opticians who fit your prescription glasses and contacts.

How often should adults have an eye exam?

The American Academy of Optometry recommends eye exams every one to two years for adults with no eye disease or risk factors. Adults over 60, those with diabetes, or family history of glaucoma should have annual exams. East Ridge Eye Center schedules exams based on your individual risk profile and vision needs.

Can an optometrist treat eye infections?

Yes, optometrists can diagnose and treat many common eye infections, dry eye, and allergies with topical medications and care instructions. Severe infections or those requiring oral antibiotics may be referred to an ophthalmologist. East Ridge Eye Center's integrated team ensures proper treatment regardless of complexity.

What happens if an optometrist finds something serious?

If an optometrist discovers a serious condition like advanced glaucoma, retinal disease, or cataracts, they refer you to an ophthalmologist for specialized care. At East Ridge Eye Center, referral is seamless since board-certified ophthalmologists and a surgical center are on-site, minimizing delays in getting the care you need.

Conclusion

An optometrist is your partner in maintaining clear vision and detecting eye disease early. Regular exams catch conditions before they cause irreversible vision loss, and prescription updates keep your sight sharp at every age. When surgical care or specialist treatment becomes necessary, an ophthalmologist takes over—but the best eye care practices integrate both services.

East Ridge Eye Center brings together optometric expertise, board-certified ophthalmology, and on-site surgery in one convenient location in Chattanooga. Whether you need a routine eye exam, new glasses, or evaluation for a vision concern, the practice's relaxed, professional atmosphere and individualized attention ensure you receive appropriate care without delay. To schedule your exam or discuss your eye health concerns, call (423) 894-1453 or visit the practice at 932 Spring Creek Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412.

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