What does optometry mean?
Optometry is the health science concerned with examining the eyes, measuring visual acuity, and diagnosing problems such as short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism. Its practitioners, optometrists, use lenses and other optical devices to assess vision and may prescribe glasses or contact lenses to correct refractive errors. The term can refer either to the academic discipline or, in phrases such as “an optometry clinic,” to the clinical service provided within it. It is distinct from ophthalmology: optometry is principally centred on vision measurement and optical correction, whereas ophthalmology is the medical field devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease. Optometry is an established profession and academic discipline in both British and American English, with professional training, regulation, and registration requirements.
nounThe branch of health science concerned with measuring vision, examining the eyes, and diagnosing and correcting visual problems. It includes the assessment of refractive errors and the prescription of lenses such as glasses or contact lenses.
- The branch of health science concerned with measuring vision, examining the eyes, and correcting visual problems.
"She studied optometry before opening a practice specializing in contact lenses."
"The hospital offers comprehensive optometry services for adults and children."
"A career in optometry combines clinical work with the use of specialised diagnostic equipment."
Usually used in specialised or comparative academic contexts; in ordinary usage, optometry is normally treated as an uncountable field.
"The two programmes differ in their approaches to clinical optometry."
Optometry combines the Greek roots for “eye” and “measure,” capturing its role as the science of assessing vision.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does optometry come from?
Optometry was formed in the early 19th century from Greek optos, meaning “eye” or “sight,” and metron, meaning “measure.” The compound reflects the original practice of measuring the eye’s refractive powers and visual performance. Its vocabulary is closely related to optics, from the Greek stem op-, “eye” or “sight,” and to ophthalmology, which likewise concerns the eye and its medical treatment.
Related word forms
How optometry is actually used
In British and American English, optometry is primarily a professional and academic field. Optometrists commonly examine eyes, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and recognise eye conditions requiring medical referral.
Easily confused with optometry
Optometry focuses primarily on measuring vision and correcting refractive problems, while ophthalmology is the medical specialty concerned with diagnosing and treating eye diseases and disorders.