The relationships between OPTOMETRIST and OPHTHALMOLOGISTS.

I've always wondered about this one. Although they are in a similar
arena, their jobs are very different.

I was wondering about the relationship between these two
professionals. For instance, are there a lot of OPTHALMOLOGISTS that
think they know it all and act as if they are superior in some ways to
an OPTOMETRIST? Or... is it more often than not a situation where
there's a healthy respect between the two?

And lastly... is there really much interaction between the two on a
professional level?

Thanks in advance

LEESA (I)

Dear Leesa,

Subject: Ophthalmology is medicine.

In many countries, optometrists are prohibited from using the title of
"Doctor".

If an optometrist detects a medical problem (like glaucoma) he must
refer this medical problem to an ophthalmologist.

Currently you will find optometrists working for ophthalmologists.

I am certain will get many opinions on this subject -- shortly.

Enjoy,






On Oct 19, 10:25*pm, LEESA <taylorlee...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've always wondered about this one. *Although they are in a similar
> arena, their jobs are very different.
>
> I was wondering about the relationship between these two
> professionals. *For instance, are there a lot of OPTHALMOLOGISTS that
> think they know it all and act as if they are superior in some ways to
> an OPTOMETRIST? *Or... *is it more often than not a situation where
> there's a healthy respect between the two?
>
> And lastly... *is there really much interaction between the two on a
> professional level?
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> LEESA *(I)

Dear Leesa,

Subject: What role to optometrists play?

When optometry was established about 1900 (as a sub-speciality) by
Chalmer Prentice, medical people fought the idea, by stating that
doing a "refraction" was NOT the practice of medicine.

In the last 100 years, major changes have taken place. But the issue
of the optometrist as a medical doctor still remains in dispute.

Some countries prohibit an optometrist from being called "Doctor" --
that title being reserved for real doctors.

Today, optometrist can practice deling with "pink eye" and other of
that nature. Serious medical issues must be referred to an
ophthalmologist.

The training of an OD started with about a 3 month program (about
1900) with a diploma.

Today, an optometrist must have 4 years of college, followed by 4
years of optometry school. Just the cost of optometry school is about
$100,000.

This does compare with an ophthalmologist, who has almost the same
time in under-graduate, and then 4 years in medical school. Afte
that, the medical doctor must do an internship, and can choose to
become an ophthalmologist.

To further respond:


On Oct 19, 10:25*pm, LEESA <taylorlee...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've always wondered about this one. *Although they are in a similar
> arena, their jobs are very different.


Leesa> I was wondering about the relationship between these two
professionals. *

It is good. Optometrists measure the refractive state of the eye.
Ophthalmologists conduct medical care of the eye.

For instance, are there a lot of OPTHALMOLOGISTS that
think they know it all and act as if they are superior in some ways
to
an OPTOMETRIST?


The ophthalmologist is responsible for ALL medical condtions of the
eye. The optometrist does not have that responsiblity. I don't know
if you want to call this a "superior" attitude, but it must be clear
who exactly is responsbible. You will find that insureance companies
will not insure an OD if he conducts medical proceedures.

*Or... *is it more often than not a situation where
there's a healthy respect between the two?


As long an the "line of reponsiblity" is clear -- there is no problem.


> And lastly... *is there really much interaction between the two on a
> professional level?

Sure. You will find ODs working for Ophthalmologists. That changed
from the 1950s, when the ophthalmologists attempted to prohibit this
relationship.


Enjoy,





> Thanks in advance
>
> LEESA *(I)

On Oct 20, 7:34*am, Otis <otisbr...@embarqmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Leesa,

You'll want to ignore Otis.

He's widely considered an absolute idiot on this newsgroup.

He also hurts people, and can provide no evidence that he's ever
helped anybody.

Seriously.

"LEESA" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:222642ef-794b-4210-8445-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I've always wondered about this one. Although they are in a similar
> arena, their jobs are very different.
>
> I was wondering about the relationship between these two
> professionals. For instance, are there a lot of OPTHALMOLOGISTS that
> think they know it all and act as if they are superior in some ways to
> an OPTOMETRIST? Or... is it more often than not a situation where
> there's a healthy respect between the two?
>
> And lastly... is there really much interaction between the two on a
> professional level?
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> LEESA (I)

Many Ophthalmologists perform refractions and dispense eyewear, just like an
OD. So there is a certain amount of tension in the relationship, especially
if an Ophthalmologist's patient is not be treated for any kind of eye
disease.

Thanks for the replies guys... I do have a few more questions (don't
I always? LOL).
Considering that opthalmologists are also surgeons, does that mean
that they all actually practice eye surgery, or do some of them become
less active in that area and more or less assume the role of what
would be more along the lines of what an optometrist would do?

Thanks again

LEESA (I)

In article <rLydnYMjicct2HzXnZ2dnUVZ_r-(E-Mail Removed)>,
"Mike Tyner" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> "LEESA" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
>
> > Considering that opthalmologists are also surgeons, does that mean
> > that they all actually practice eye surgery, or do some of them become
> > less active in that area and more or less assume the role of what
> > would be more along the lines of what an optometrist would do?
>
> If you took away the surgery, pre-op, and post-op visits, what's left is
> pretty much what I do all day.
>
> They could do it, but they'd hate it.

Many years ago, I shared an office with a guy who had had an eye injury.
He was told that he should be seeing an Ophthalmologist rather than an
Optometrist. So he found an OMD who mostly refracted and dispensed
glasses. The doctor was semi-retired and wasn't keeping up with the
latest in eye medicine. My office partner decided that seeing him was a
bad idea, and that he should see both an OMD to monitor his injury and
an OD for his glasses. He later developed both cataract and a retinal
detachment in the injured eye, at a comparatively young age. So, in my
hallway at work, there were three comparatively young men (late 40s)
with cataract, two of whom had retinal detachments.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA
(E-Mail Removed)

"LEESA" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:8b454245-be9d-4286-b600-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks for the replies guys... I do have a few more questions (don't
> I always? LOL).
> Considering that opthalmologists are also surgeons, does that mean
> that they all actually practice eye surgery, or do some of them become
> less active in that area and more or less assume the role of what
> would be more along the lines of what an optometrist would do?
>
> Thanks again
>
> LEESA (I)

Just because an ophthalmologist does not do a lot of surgery does not mean
that they become OD's. It is true that some patients will come to an
ophthalmologist for a simple eye exam that they could have gotten at an OD,
but their are not enough patients who do that to get away without the
medical training they have received.

>
> If you took away the surgery, pre-op, and post-op visits, what's left is
> pretty much what I do all day.
>
> They could do it, but they'd hate it.
>
> -MT

Mike,

Anti-vegf drugs part of your practice?

Don W.

Mike,

I am talking about the injection of anti-vegf drugs in the treatment
of macular degeneration.

And the possible use of OCT's in the examination process.


Don W.