Page 10 - ASCO IPECP Toolkit

Doctors of Optometry / ODs / Optometrists
Doctors of Optometry (O.D.s / Optometrists) are primary health care professionals. Eye and vision care serves as an important point of entry into the health care system, and Doctors of Optometry actively serve as members of the health care team.10
The Role of the Profession of Optometry in Interdisciplinary Health Care11
Ë As licensed, independent health care professionals, Doctors of Optometry play a primary and integral role in inter-disciplinary health care by examining, diagnosing, treating, and managing diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures.
Ë Doctors of Optometry are involved in the coordination of care of associated systemic diseases and zoonotic diseases, and serve a sentinel role in the identification of ocular side effects of systemic medications.
Ë Doctors of Optometry are an essential part of the national health care delivery system providing direct patient access to health care in nearly 6,500 communities across the country. In 3,500 of these communities, Doctors of Optometry are the only providers of vision and eye health care services.
8
ASCO IPECP Toolkit
updated August 2022