Optometrists: Top Procedures, Stats, and How to Find the Right Specialist (2026 Guide)
December 15, 2025 · by the Help Me Find A Doctor editorial team
A patient-friendly guide to optometrists — what specialists do, the most common procedures (comprehensive eye exam, contact lens fitting, dry-eye management), and what to look for when choosing one.
Eye exams, prescriptions, and ongoing vision care. Below: the procedures patients ask about most, the numbers that put the field in context, and the questions worth raising at a first consultation with a optometrists specialist.
Top procedures & treatments
Comprehensive eye exam
Refraction, intraocular pressure, dilated fundus exam; recommended annually for adults.
Contact lens fitting
Soft, RGP, scleral, and ortho-K lenses for myopia control.
Dry-eye management
Meibomian gland expression, IPL, prescription drops (Restasis, Xiidra, Miebo).
Myopia control in children
Atropine drops, ortho-K, and dual-focus soft contact lenses.
Diabetic and glaucoma monitoring
Retinal imaging, OCT, and visual-field testing co-managed with ophthalmology.
By the numbers
- Roughly 75% of U.S. adults wear corrective lenses.
- Myopia prevalence has nearly doubled in children since the 1970s.
- Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness in working-age adults.
How to choose the right specialist
Verify board certification, ask how many of your specific procedure the clinician performs each year, and review patient outcomes — not just star ratings. A optometrists provider who clearly explains your options, the evidence, and the realistic recovery timeline is worth more than the most heavily advertised name.
Use our directory to filter optometrists specialists by city, then bring this article (and the FAQ below) to your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Optometrist vs ophthalmologist?
Optometrists (OD) provide primary eye care and prescriptions; ophthalmologists (MD/DO) also perform surgery and manage complex disease.
How often should kids get exams?
Before age 1, at age 3, before kindergarten, and annually thereafter — especially if there is a family history of myopia.
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