Which of the following tasks are optometrists NOT allowed to perform?

Optometrists are trained and licensed to perform a variety of tasks related to eye care, including examining patients' eyes, fitting corrective lenses, and prescribing medications for certain eye conditions. However, conducting cataract surgery is outside the scope of practice for optometrists in many states, including Alabama. Cataract surgery is a surgical procedure that typically requires the training and skill set of an ophthalmologist, who is a medical doctor specializing in eye surgery and diseases.

This distinction is crucial, as it helps define the roles within the eye care profession, ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate level of care based on the complexity of their needs. Optometrists focus more on vision correction, routine eye health examinations, and managing certain eye conditions non-surgically. Thus, the correct answer reflects the responsibilities assigned to each eye care provider and emphasizes the surgical limitations that optometrists adhere to.