As in other areas of health care and in other professions, the distinction among the roles of eye care providers is constantly changing, and the boundaries between professions are sometimes blurred. This is what makes eye care a career with so many opportunities.
What is Eye Care?
According to the American Association of Ophthalmology, eye care is defined as…
...services provided by or under the direction of a qualified eye or health professional for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of refractive error, disease, injury or disability affecting the eye, adnexal structures, visual system, or related systems.
There are many different types of eye care workers who have to master a wide range of very technical skills to treat not just the eye but other parts of the body that have to do with sight. This is not a career for just anyone! It requires an initial investment in educational preparation and training, the ability to keep up with rapid changes in technology, effective "people skills," and astute business acumen to survive in a competitive marketplace.
Perfect eyesight, like many other aspects of good health, is something that most people take for granted—until they lose it. It is hard to believe that in a society that is so technologically advanced, half of the population of the United States currently needs some sort of vision care. Ninety-six percent of those over sixty-five have vision problems, and only half can afford appropriate care. Vision is not only something that is necessary to perform activities of daily having; it is essential to the enjoyment of all of the special things in life. Of all the senses—including hearing, smell, touch, and taste—sight is the most highly developed in physically healthy human beings and is considered by many to be the most precious. Here are a few examples of how vision—and the professionals who care for it—contributes to our enjoyment of everyday life.
Learning
We are never too old to stop learning. Even when our formal schooling ends, we must constantly acquire new knowledge, skills, and aptitudes in order to deal with new situations. Eighty-five percent of all learning is acquired through vision. In fact, visual learning is so important that it requires one-third of the brain to handle the images that we must process. A learning exercise such as reading involves not only being able to see printed characters accurately, but also the ability to understand the symbols on which the eye focuses. The use of audiovisual media and micro computers has put additional emphasis on the student's ability to process complex images and has emphasized the need to help those with learning disorders such as dyslexia. Vision specialists have played an active role in successful therapy for learning disorders as part of the treatment team of special education teachers, psychologists, family members, and peers.
Driving
Historians characterize the twentieth century as the "transportation age". Almost every family has a car, and those who do not use public transportation. Every driver must pass a vision test before receiving a license. These evaluations are designed by vision experts, and examiners are trained on how to administer the tests. Of particular concern to everyone is the number of aging drivers still on the highways. Sunbelt states that attract a large population of retired persons have special requirements for older drivers. Some of the popular programs at senior centers are speakers from eye care professional associations who address issues related to vision testing and its importance in driving defensively and maintaining good driving skills.
Working
Occupational eye care is a growing area of interest among workers, employers, and insurers. It is also highly regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The National Association for the Prevention of Blindness estimates that there are more than a thousand eye injuries on each working day. Aside from the obvious concern for the protection of workers vision, there are studies that show that the cost of poor vision is staggering to the United States economy. Researchers estimate that nearly one-third of all "spoiled work" is caused by poor vision, costing industry billions of dollars each year.
Recreation and Sports
Leisure time in America is increasing, and people are expecting eye care that will improve their performance and enjoyment of recreational activities as well as prevent eye injuries while playing. An early study of Olympic athletes showed that nearly 35 percent needed corrective lenses. Protective eyewear is required or recommended by many professional athletic associations in sports such as marksmanship and racquetball. Many athletes, both professionals and weekend amateurs, wear specially designed eyewear; there are even corrective goggles for underwater sports.
Enjoying Other People
Perhaps the most important facet of vision is its effect on interpersonal relationships. There are many colloquial expressions about people that refer to the importance the eyes play in body language. For instance, someone who seems untrustworthy may be described as having "shifty eyes." A popular psychologist recently advised women that men make up their minds about potential mates within seven seconds of seeing a woman for the first time. Perhaps this need to make a good first impression explains the explosive new market for tinted contact lenses, fashion frames, and oculoplastic surgery to improve the appearance of the eye area. Radial keratotomy, an elective surgery that eliminates the need to wear corrective lenses, also is becoming more popular. Both women and men are taking advantage of these advances in eye care, providing professionals in the field with rewarding and challenging career opportunities.
