Eye Problems We Treat (And When to See an Optometrist)
Optometrists are often the first place to go for eye problems. We diagnose and treat many eye conditions and help determine when specialist care is needed. If you’re experiencing eye discomfort, vision changes, or redness, an optometrist can usually evaluate you quickly — often the same day.
What eye problems should I see an optometrist for?
You should see an optometrist for eye pain or pressure, red or irritated eyes, sudden blurry vision, pink eye or discharge, light sensitivity, flashes or floaters, dry or gritty eyes, and eye injuries or foreign bodies.
When should I see an optometrist urgently?
Same-day eye care is recommended for sudden vision loss, eye pain with redness or light sensitivity, new flashes or floaters, something stuck in the eye, or signs of an eye infection.
Do optometrists treat medical eye conditions?
Yes. Optometrists diagnose and manage many medical eye conditions, including infections, inflammation, dry eye, and eye disease. Referrals are coordinated when specialized care is needed.
Can an optometrist treat pink eye?
Yes. Optometrists diagnose and treat bacterial, viral, and allergic pink eye. Treatment may include prescription eye drops and guidance on preventing spread.
Can an optometrist help with eye pain?
Yes. Eye pain should always be evaluated. Optometrists assess the cause, whether infection, inflammation, injury, dry eye, or another condition.
Can an optometrist treat dry eye?
Yes. Dry eye is a common condition we diagnose and manage using personalized treatment plans, which may include prescription drops and in-office therapies.
Can an optometrist treat eye infections?
Yes. Optometrists treat many eye infections, including conjunctivitis, eyelid infections, and corneal infections. Early treatment helps protect vision.
Can an optometrist remove something from my eye?
Yes. Optometrists can safely remove foreign bodies such as dust, debris, or metal fragments. Attempting removal at home can worsen injury.
Can an optometrist help with sudden blurry vision?
Yes. Sudden blurry vision should be evaluated promptly to determine whether urgent treatment or referral is needed.
Can an optometrist treat eye allergies?
Yes. Optometrists treat eye allergies and can prescribe allergy eye drops and other treatments to relieve itching, redness, and irritation.
Can an optometrist treat children?
Yes. Our optometrists love to care for children of nearly all ages and help detect vision problems that may affect learning and development.
Can an optometrist diagnose eye disease?
Yes. Optometrists diagnose and manage eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration.
Should I go to urgent care or an optometrist for eye problems?
For most eye-related issues, an optometrist is the best first stop due to specialized training and diagnostic equipment.
Do I need an eye exam if I don’t need glasses?
Yes. Eye exams evaluate eye health and screen for disease, not just vision correction.
How quickly can I be seen for an eye problem?
Many optometry offices offer same-day or urgent appointments for eye pain, infections, and sudden vision changes.
When will I be referred to a specialist?
If your condition requires advanced or surgical care, we coordinate timely referrals and continue to be involved in your eye care.
What eye problems should I see an optometrist for?
You should see an optometrist for eye pain or pressure, red or irritated eyes, sudden blurry vision, pink eye or discharge, light sensitivity, flashes or floaters, dry or gritty eyes, and eye injuries or foreign bodies.
When should I see an optometrist urgently?
Same-day eye care is recommended for sudden vision loss, eye pain with redness or light sensitivity, new flashes or floaters, something stuck in the eye, or signs of an eye infection.
Do optometrists treat medical eye conditions?
Yes. Optometrists diagnose and manage many medical eye conditions, including infections, inflammation, dry eye, and eye disease. Referrals are coordinated when specialized care is needed.
Can an optometrist treat pink eye?
Yes. Optometrists diagnose and treat bacterial, viral, and allergic pink eye. Treatment may include prescription eye drops and guidance on preventing spread.
Can an optometrist help with eye pain?
Yes. Eye pain should always be evaluated. Optometrists assess the cause, whether infection, inflammation, injury, dry eye, or another condition.
Can an optometrist treat dry eye?
Yes. Dry eye is a common condition we diagnose and manage using personalized treatment plans, which may include prescription drops and in-office therapies.
Can an optometrist treat eye infections?
Yes. Optometrists treat many eye infections, including conjunctivitis, eyelid infections, and corneal infections. Early treatment helps protect vision.
Can an optometrist remove something from my eye?
Yes. Optometrists can safely remove foreign bodies such as dust, debris, or metal fragments. Attempting removal at home can worsen injury.
Can an optometrist help with sudden blurry vision?
Yes. Sudden blurry vision should be evaluated promptly to determine whether urgent treatment or referral is needed.
Can an optometrist treat eye allergies?
Yes. Optometrists treat eye allergies and can prescribe allergy eye drops and other treatments to relieve itching, redness, and irritation.
Can an optometrist treat children?
Yes. Our optometrists love to care for children of nearly all ages and help detect vision problems that may affect learning and development.
Can an optometrist diagnose eye disease?
Yes. Optometrists diagnose and manage eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration.
Should I go to urgent care or an optometrist for eye problems?
For most eye-related issues, an optometrist is the best first stop due to specialized training and diagnostic equipment.
Do I need an eye exam if I don’t need glasses?
Yes. Eye exams evaluate eye health and screen for disease, not just vision correction.
How quickly can I be seen for an eye problem?
Many optometry offices offer same-day or urgent appointments for eye pain, infections, and sudden vision changes.
When will I be referred to a specialist?
If your condition requires advanced or surgical care, we coordinate timely referrals and continue to be involved in your eye care.