Opthamologist vs. Optometrist Astounding Findings!

[Oldgringo]

Last year, I told my Optometrist of my "flashes" and he immediately referred me to an Opthamologist. After an extensive and uncomfortable examination, I was told that what was going on was normal for geezers. Since then, I've seen both again and am tickled with my eye care. BTW, neither medical facility is 30.06 posted. In fact, my Optometrist has his CHL.

[rotor]

There are many fine optometrists in Texas and when it comes to some treatment like contact lenses they may be better than a physician. In general though a physician ( opthalmologist) is at the top of the totem pole and everyone else is below. Optometrists have fought for more credentialing in many states to be able to do more but they still are not physicians. I guess you could compare this to a physician vs a nurse practicioner. Much difference in total training and ability to treat. So, take your choice but Doctor means something different to each person. The use of the term health care provider is a joke as far as I am concerned. I want a physician as my "health care provider".

[WildBill]

There are many fine optometrists in Texas and when it comes to some treatment like contact lenses they may be better than a physician. In general though a physician ( opthalmologist) is at the top of the totem pole and everyone else is below. Optometrists have fought for more credentialing in many states to be able to do more but they still are not physicians. I guess you could compare this to a physician vs a nurse practicioner. Much difference in total training and ability to treat. So, take your choice but Doctor means something different to each person. The use of the term health care provider is a joke as far as I am concerned. I want a physician as my "health care provider".

Last year I tried to get an appointment with an ophthalmologist. When I called they asked what was wrong with my eyes. I told them nothing was wrong. It was just that I hadn't been checked in a while and wanted an exam. They said that they wouldn't see me unless I wasn't referred by an optometrist or a physician.

The scope of an Optometrist's treatment varies by state. For example an optometrist in California couldn't prescribe antibiotic ointment or eye drops. Now I think that have to get a special certification and training to be able to do this.

Just because you're an MD doesn't mean you are knowledgeable about eyeballs. I remember talking to an internist and mentioned seeing "floaters" in my eyes. He said he never heard of them.

[WildBill]

I told my Optometrist of my "flashes" and he immediately referred me to an Opthamologist. After an extensive and uncomfortable examination, I was told that what was going on was normal for geezers. Since then, I've seen both again and am tickled with my eye care. BTW, neither facility medical facility is 30.06 posted. In fact, my Optometrist has his CHL.

Make sure he doesn't shoot your eye out!

[rotor]

There are many fine optometrists in Texas and when it comes to some treatment like contact lenses they may be better than a physician. In general though a physician ( opthalmologist) is at the top of the totem pole and everyone else is below. Optometrists have fought for more credentialing in many states to be able to do more but they still are not physicians. I guess you could compare this to a physician vs a nurse practicioner. Much difference in total training and ability to treat. So, take your choice but Doctor means something different to each person. The use of the term health care provider is a joke as far as I am concerned. I want a physician as my "health care provider".

Last year I tried to get an appointment with an ophthalmologist. When I called they asked what was wrong with my eyes. I told them nothing was wrong. It was just that I hadn't been checked in a while and wanted an exam. They said that they wouldn't see me unless I wasn't referred by an optometrist or a physician.

The scope of an Optometrist's treatment varies by state. For example an optometrist in California couldn't prescribe antibiotic ointment or eye drops. Now I think that have to get a special certification and training to be able to do this.

Just because you're an MD doesn't mean you are knowledgeable about eyeballs. I remember talking to an internist and mentioned seeing "floaters" in my eyes. He said he never heard of them.

I don't ask my urologist while having a prostate check about my eyes either. But if you want an eye expert you start with an opthalmologist and work your way down the totem poll. Sure, an internist doesn't know anything about eyes. When I go to my opthalmologist I don't ask him about my heart either.

Then you have to question why your opthalmologist wouldn't make you an appointment. Perhaps because you might be on Medicare and very few quality specialists will see a new Medicare patient without a referral. Been there and done that. With Obamacare you will even be further down the list of "acceptable" insurance. Thank you for nothing Mr. Obama.

[WildBill]

I don't ask my urologist while having a prostate check about my eyes either. But if you want an eye expert you start with an opthalmologist and work your way down the totem poll. Sure, an internist doesn't know anything about eyes. When I go to my opthalmologist I don't ask him about my heart either.

I didn't see an internist for eye issues. He was my primary care doctor and during a physical when he asked questions about my general health and another other issues, I mentioned the floaters.

Then you have to question why your opthalmologist wouldn't make you an appointment. Perhaps because you might be on Medicare and very few quality specialists will see a new Medicare patient without a referral. Been there and done that. With Obamacare you will even be further down the list of "acceptable" insurance. Thank you for nothing Mr. Obama.

I have a very good medical plan through my company. The opthalmologist office did not ask about insurance. He was listed a provider to my plan. That is where I got his name.

[jimlongley]

MY GP always asks me about my eyes and breathing too, and it was through a GP that I got the referral to the first ophthalmologist here in TX. We never told the O that the GP that referred me had only ever seen me on the range where we shot IDPA together, i just stated on the intake form that I was referred by Dr X and they never even called him to confirm. I have visited two others in the last 15 years (different plans) without having to tell them who referred me, just by stating that I was a former patient of Dr Y and that he was not on my current plan.

[Kenk]

I also had the vitreous detachment, but it turned out to be more serious. The vitreous also started to detach my retina (apparently this only happens to a small percentage of people). My ophthalmologist sent me (the same day) to a retina specialist and I was in surgery that evening. Once the retina starts to detach, it must be repaired before the entire retina is affected.....causing loss of eyesight. The main symptom was like a curtain being pulled up across my vision in that eye....so if you experience something like this, head for the eye doctor immediately.

BTW, I asked if I was at risk of the same thing happening in my other eye, and I was told no...because the vitreous detachment had already occurred in the other eye without affecting the retina.

[sjfcontrol]

Once in a great while, I experience "floaters" which have the appearance of zigzagging multicolored objects that almost look like they are vibrating. They usually go away after an hour or so. My optometrist is not concerned about them. Otherwise, I have no cloudiness in either eye, or other symptoms of impending cataracts. Not even Ringcon Contynentars.

Hmm, I've seen those zig-zag vibrating things, too. They go away in 10-15 minutes, usually. Glad to hear your opto is not concerned about them.

[jimlongley]

I also had the vitreous detachment, but it turned out to be more serious. The vitreous also started to detach my retina (apparently this only happens to a small percentage of people). My ophthalmologist sent me (the same day) to a retina specialist and I was in surgery that evening. Once the retina starts to detach, it must be repaired before the entire retina is affected.....causing loss of eyesight. The main symptom was like a curtain being pulled up across my vision in that eye....so if you experience something like this, head for the eye doctor immediately.

BTW, I asked if I was at risk of the same thing happening in my other eye, and I was told no...because the vitreous detachment had already occurred in the other eye without affecting the retina.

I wasn't getting into that level of detail, but my most recent bout of flashes also involved a "sparkly" area in my vision, which was a "blister" (the term used by the Ophthalmologist) that was the retina beginning to detach in one location due to the vitreous pulling on it as it detached. Weeks of cautions watching and waiting led to an almost compete reduction of the spot with no significant impairment (IOW I still can see the sparkle a little bit from time to time, but the major lesion healed up on its own.)

[rotor]

I also had the vitreous detachment, but it turned out to be more serious. The vitreous also started to detach my retina (apparently this only happens to a small percentage of people). My ophthalmologist sent me (the same day) to a retina specialist and I was in surgery that evening. Once the retina starts to detach, it must be repaired before the entire retina is affected.....causing loss of eyesight. The main symptom was like a curtain being pulled up across my vision in that eye....so if you experience something like this, head for the eye doctor immediately.

BTW, I asked if I was at risk of the same thing happening in my other eye, and I was told no...because the vitreous detachment had already occurred in the other eye without affecting the retina.

I had the same (or similar) problem. Straight lines were becopming curved. That day my opthalmologist had me in to see a retina specialist and surgery within a week. This is physician stuff. My opthalmologist had a ton of instruments in his office that could make the diagnosis stat. To me when people say eye doctor I think physician.