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Optometry
Trust your vision care to Essentia Health’s optometrists. Our eye experts will help you see the world as it should look.
Find out more about eye care on our Ophthalmology page.
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Monday - Friday: 8 am - 5 pm
What’s an Optometrist?
An optometrist is a doctor of optometry (OD), who has specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of vision and eye conditions. ODs prescribe eye glasses and contact lenses, low vision aids, vision therapy, medication and perform minor surgical procedures.
When to See an Eye Doctor
Make an appointment with an Essentia eye doctor if you experience symptoms such as:
- Blurry vision or change in vision
- Eye pain
- Red eye
- Stye, or a pink lump at the eyelid’s edge
Eye Care Team
Depending on your needs, you may work with:
- Ophthalmologist – Medical eye doctor and surgeon
- Optometrist – Doctor of optometry who prescribes glasses, contact lenses, and eye medications.
- Certified ophthalmic assistant – Professional who helps an eye doctor take tests and measurements
Conditions Treated
See the full list of conditions we treat, and select a condition to find providers and locations near you.
- Blepharitis
- Cataracts
- Corneal diseases
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Diplopia
- Drooping eyelids
- Dry eyes
- Eye blood
- Eye floaters
- Eye infections
- Eye neoplasm
- Eye tumor
- Eye visual field defects
- Eyelid disorders
- Glaucoma
- Iridocyclitis
- Iritis
- Keratitis
- Macular degeneration
- Pink eye
- Retina diseases
- Tear duct (blocked)
- Uveitis
Vision Screenings & Diagnostic Tests
Protect your eyesight with regular screenings and eye exams. These exams can catch vision problems early, when they’re easiest to treat.
If a screening finds something unusual, or you have symptoms of an eye problem, your doctor may order a diagnostic test. Depending on your symptoms, you’ll receive a test that looks at your vision or the physical structure of your eye. Your doctor uses the results to determine if you have an eye condition.
Eye Strain
Learn about eye strain and how to prevent it when spending a lot of time on screens.
Surgical & Nonsurgical Eye Care
Visit an Essentia optical shop for a broad selection of high-quality eyeglasses and contacts. If your eyes need more care, ask your doctor about eye surgery or vision rehabilitation. If you're in need of surgery, you will be referred to an ophthalmologist.
Dry Eye Treatment
Ask your doctor for tips on relieving dry eyes, such as cleaning your eyelids daily.
If your dry eye symptoms won’t go away, you may benefit from LipiFlow. This treatment can open up clogged glands that prevent lipid (oil) from flowing freely in your tears. LipiFlow gently warms and presses on the glands to make the oil flow better and naturally keep your eyes moist.
Macular Degeneration Treatment
If you have age-related wet macular degeneration, ask about injection treatment. A doctor will numb your eyes and then regularly inject medicine to help maintain your vision.
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Ophthalmology
Trust Essentia Health’s eye and vision doctors to take care of your family's eyesight located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.