optometry

American  

[op-tom-i-tree] / ɒpˈtɒm ɪ tri /

noun

1. the practice or profession of examining the eyes, by means of suitable instruments or appliances, for defects in vision and eye disorders in order to prescribe corrective lenses or other appropriate treatment.

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optometry British  

/ ˌɒptəˈmɛtrɪk, ɒpˈtɒmɪtrɪ /

noun

1. the science or practice of testing visual acuity and prescribing corrective lenses

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Other Word Forms

• optometric
  adjective
• optometrical
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of optometry

First recorded in 1890–95; opto- + -metry

Example Sentences

Chung runs an academic optometry clinic that works with local schools in Pomona.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Chi-Ho To, an optometry researcher, at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University has a similar concern – what if the vision correction went wrong or was delayed slightly while he was, say, performing surgery on someone?

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2025

She found out about her eye during a routine optometry appointment.

From Slate • Jan. 27, 2024

But blaming blue light for this is contentious, said Laura Downie, an associate professor of optometry and vision sciences at the University of Melbourne and an author on the new review.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 3, 2023

Everybody at the party was associated with optometry in some way, except Trout.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut