Unit 1

Optometry - Learn the Basics

Word origin

Reading & Speaking

Optometry (n.) - 1886, from optometer (1738), an

instrument for testing vision, from opto- "sight," from
Greek optos "seen, visible" (from root *okw- "to see") -
metry "a measuring of." Probably influenced by French
optométrie.

 Optometrist symbol - it is a caduceus with an eye

at the top.
 Names : Optometrist
 Occupation type: Specialty
 Activity sectors: Healthcare
 Competencies: Ocular disease, medical
therapeutics, vision therapy, binocular vision, spectacles, contact lenses
 Fields of employment: Hospital, Clinic, Laboratory

Pronunciation
Optometry /opˈtomətri/

Dictionaries definitions
- Oxford Living Dictionary - the practice or profession of examining the eyes for visual defects
and prescribing corrective lenses.
- The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language - the practice or profession of
an optometrist.
- Collins English Dictionary - the science or practice of testing visual acuity and prescribing
corrective lenses; the profession of examining the eyes and measuring errors in refraction and
of prescribing glasses to correct these defects.
- InfoPlease Dictionary - the practice or profession of examining the eyes, by means of suitable
instruments or appliances, for defects in vision and eye disorders in order to prescribe
corrective lenses or other appropriate treatment.
- Free Dictionary –
1. (Med.) Measurement of the range of vision, esp. by means of the optometer.
2. The employment of subjective and objective mechanical means to determine the
accomodative and refractive states of the eye and the scope of its function in general.

Words similar to Optometry

Eye Optician Oculist

Optometrist Ophthalmologist Vision
Ophthalmology Optometer
Eyeglass
Examples of Optometers

18th century style slide optometer

Davidson's Optometer, 1880's, British

Johnston Optometer, 1882, American

DeZeng's Phorometer Trial Frame of 1909

DeZeng's Phoro-Optometer of 1917

DeZeng's Phoro-Optometer of 1917 with wall
mount.
 Optometer (ophthalmic instrument) - A device, used for measuring spherical and/or cylindrical
prescription for eyeglasses, from the middle of the 18th century until around 1922, when modern
instruments were developed. The term, coined in 1738 by W. Porterfield to describe his Scheiner slit
optometer, and used for 200 years to describe many different inventions to measure refractive error of
the eye, has completely fallen out of usage today as the task of measuring eyes for spectacles is done
with modern instruments, such as the phoropter.
It is an instrument for measuring the power and range of vision.
A phoropter is a device containing different lenses used for refraction of the eye during sight testing.
Text A
The Profession of Optometry

1. Doctors of Optometry (ODs), commonly known as optometrists, are the major independent
primary health care professionals for the eye who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage
diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as
diagnose related systemic conditions. They prescribe medications to treat eye diseases and
perform certain surgical procedures. Optometrists also do testing to determine the patient's
ability to focus and coordinate the eye and see colors accurately. The scope of optometry
requires a knowledge of the therapeutic and rehabilitative methods used to care for the problems
of vision from infancy to old age.
2. As primary health care professionals, optometrists frequently determine the presence of
systemic diseases of the human body, such as diabetes, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis, that
not only affect vision but are associated with substantial patient morbidity. When an eye
examination reveals systemic disease, or the need for surgery, the optometrist will frequently
engage in co-management of the condition, in cooperation with the appropriate health-care
professional.
3. The need for optometrists will be further augmented by an increasing demand for optometric
services. It is estimated that nearly one-half of the population has the need of vision care
services. As important members of the health-care team, optometrists treat ocular diseases such
as glaucoma, fit medical devices such as contact lenses and prostheses, prescribe therapeutic
medications, and treat amblyopia as well as binocular vision disorders.
4. Optometry as a rewarding job, because it’s “a profession with a high cure rate, regular hours
and good payment rate. Optometrists and their patients are benefiting from many advances in
eye care and medical technology. For example, the type of contact lenses and lens treatments
have expanded and improved in recent years. Additionally, new procedures like the use of lasers
to correct vision and diseases, such as glaucoma, have provided better options for patients who
need them.
5. Optometrists:
 Examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases, injuries and disorders of the visual system,
the eye and associated structures
 Counsel patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options
 Identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye, like diabetes or high blood pressure
 Prescribe medications
 Perform certain surgical procedures
 Provide vision therapy and vision rehabilitation
 Assist patients with eyeglasses and contact lenses

An optometrist’s day is filled with a challenging and varied array of care, from prescribing glasses and
contact lenses, to treating diseases such as glaucoma and retinopathy, to performing minor surgical
procedures and providing pre- and post-operative care to patients undergoing ophthalmologic surgery.
 Unit 1 Pronunciation Focus
Optometry - Learn the Basics
Word origin

1. Optometry 5. Associated [əsoʊsieɪtɪd] 8. Oculist [okjʊlɪst]

2. Caduceus [kəˈdjuːsɪəs] 6. Orthoptist [oːθəptɪst] 9. Phoropter [fərop′tə:]
3. Binocular [bɪˈnɒkjʊlə , baɪ-] 7. Pediatric [piːdiætrɪk] 10. Retinopathy [retɪˈnopəθɪ]
4. Ophthalmology [ofθælmolədʒi] 11. Frame [freɪm]
12. Healthcare [hɛlθkɛə:]

Vocabulary focus 14. Array /əˈreɪ/ – gamă, reţea

~ an impressive display of a particular type of thing.
1. ODs /ɑːpˈtɑːmətrɪst/ – medic optometrist; 15. Glaucoma /ɡlɔːˈkoʊmə/
~ a person whose job is to examine people’s eyes and to recommend and sell glasses. ~ an eye disease that causes gradual loss of sight
2. To manage disease /ˈmænɪdʒ/ - a coordona, a conduce, a controla; 16. Retinopathy
~ to be able to solve (health) problems, deal with a difficult situation. ~ any of various noninflammatory disorders of the retina including some that cause
3. Associated /əˈsoʊʃieɪtɪd/ blindness
~ the two things are connected because they happen together or one thing causes the other 17. Dispensing opticians
4. Structures /ˈstrʌktʃər/ ~ A dispensing optician advises on, fits and supplies the most appropriate spectacles after
~ the state of being well organized or planned with all the parts linked together. taking account of each patient’s visual, lifestyle and vocational needs.
5. Systemic /sɪˈstemɪk/ Dispensing opticians also play an important role in advising and dispensing vision aids to
those who are partially sighted as well as advising on and dispensing to children.
~ affecting or connected with the whole of something, especially the human body.
6. Scope /skoʊp/ - amploare, ţintă, obiectiv, potenţial
~ the opportunity or ability to do or achieve something
7. Hypertension /ˌhaɪpəˈtenʃn/ - hipertensiune
~ blood pressure that is higher than normal
8. Arteriosclerosis /ɑːˌtɪəriəʊskləˈrəʊsɪs/ - arterioscleroză
~ a condition in which the walls of the arteries become thick and hard, making it difficult for blood to flow
9. To augment /ɔːɡˈment/ - a creşte, a mări, a spori
~ (formal) to increase the amount, value, size, etc. of something
10. Amblyopia /ˌamblɪˈəʊpɪə/ - ambliopie
Lazy eye (amblyopia) is a childhood condition where the vision in one eye doesn't develop properly. This usually means that the child can see less clearly out of the affected eye and relies
more on the "good" eye.
11. Binocular /bɪˈnɒkjələ:/
~ using two eyes to see
12. Condition /kənˈdɪʃn/
~ the state of somebody’s health, an illness or a medical problem
13. Assist /əˈsɪst/
~ to help somebody to do something
 Text B
Types of Eye Care Professionals
1. Time to get your eyes checked? Well then, you have a choice to make. There’s more than one
type of eye doctor you can visit, and each has different skills and specialties. To help you with
your choice, here’s a quick look at the main types of eye care professionals and what each of
them can do for you.
Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or dispensing opticians.
Ophthalmologists are physicians who perform eye surgery, in addition to diagnosing and
treating eye conditions.
Dispensing opticians fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions written by
ophthalmologists or optometrists.
Optometry and Optometrists

What is Optometry?
2. Optometry is a vision care specialty that is concerned with the health of the eyes, the visual
system, and related structures.
What is an Optometrist?
An optometrist is a health care professional who specializes in function and disorders of the
eye, detection of eye disease, and some types of eye disease management. An optometrist conducts
eye examinations, prescribes corrective contact lenses and glasses, and diagnoses and treats eye
diseases and disorders.
What does an Optometrist do?
Optometrists are trained to examine the eyes for visual defects, diagnose problems or
impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide certain types of treatment, eye exercises. Many
optometrists are also involved in scientific research into the causes of, and cures for, a range of vision
problems.

Ophthalmology and Ophthalmologists

What is Ophthalmology?
3. Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine that specializes in the anatomy, function, and diseases
of the eye.
What is an Ophthalmologist?
An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic physician who specializes in the medical and
surgical care of the eyes and the prevention of eye disease, these types of doctors are trained in all
aspects of eye care. An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats refractive, medical, and surgical
problems related to eye diseases and disorders, as well as deliver routine eye care.
An ophthalmologist will have the initials "M.D." (Doctor of Medicine) or "D.O." (Doctor of
Osteopathy) after his or her name.

What does an Ophthalmologist do?

Ophthalmologists are trained to provide the full spectrum of eye care, from prescribing
glasses and contact lenses to complex and delicate eye surgery.
Ophthalmologists treat eye diseases, prescribe medications, and perform all types of surgery to
improve, or prevent the worsening of, eye and vision-related conditions.
Many ophthalmologists are also involved in scientific research into the causes of, and cures for,
eye diseases and vision problems.
 Orthoptist

4. An orthoptist is a health professional who works under the supervision of an ophthalmologist to evaluate and treat disorders of the visual system with
an emphasis on binocular vision (using both eyes to see) and eye movement problems.
Orthoptists most commonly work in pediatric ophthalmology.

Optician

5. An optician is a health professional who is trained to supply, prepare, and dispense optical appliances through interpretation of written prescriptions.
An optician fits and finishes eyeglass lenses and frames and may also dispense vision devices, contact lenses, and artificial eyes.
Opticians typically learn job skills; these trainings include technical instructions in measuring eyes or adjusting frames under the supervision of an
experienced optician.

Post Reading activities

1. May these images be related to the profession of Optometry, which way?
 2. Find answers to the following questions
1. How is an optometrist symbol called?
2. Identify words similar to the term Optometry.
3. Mention names that were recorded by science who discovered types of optometers, through
years.
4. What is an Optometer?

5. Tell something about Doctors of Optometry

6. What do Optometrists frequently determine?
7. What is the major role of Optometrists? (refer to the key terms first)

8. How many types of ECP do you know?

3. Continue the idea

1. Optometry________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Davidson, Johnston, DeZeng__________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

3. An optometer______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

4. A phoropter_______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

5. The profession of Optometry__________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________