O.D. is an abbreviation standing for Doctor of Optometry referring to Optometrist.

Patients trust optometrists with one of their most precious assets: their sight.

An optometrist is a licensed medical professional who conducts eye examinations, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, diagnoses and treats certain eye diseases. Optometrists must complete a four-year pre-med undergraduate program and then successfully complete their education at an accredited optometry school.

Optometrists are qualified to examine people's eyes for vision problems and prescribe the appropriate lenses to correct those problems. While an optometrist cannot perform eye surgery, they can provide pre- and post-operative care to patients who have undergone lasik, cataract or other corrective eye surgeries.

Another common task of an optometrist is to test for ocular diseases, such as glaucoma. Optometrists can prescribe medications for eye diseases as well as remove foreign bodies from the eye.

Some vision problems are indicative of a systemic disease, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. In those situations, an optometrist is on the front line, diagnosing a condition in its earliest stages and referring the patient to a medical specialist.