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37 Comments
- orangezero, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Your comments were ignorant (lack of understanding) enough to make me finally register. Optometrists have 4 years of undergrad education and then spend 4 years learning about various eye conditions/disorders/diseases and systemic (whole body) eye-related diseases as well.
You are slightly correct; optometrists refer out for surgery, just like your local primary care physician, chiropractor, physician's assistant, general practice ophthalmologist, etc. would.
Its a real shame the general public and even many health professionals do not understand the value of an eye exam. Its not just about eyes. Its not about iridology. Its about prevention and detection of eye disease, detection of systemic health problems, and also (the only thing people actually understand) being able to see clearly, amongst other things. The idea is to prevent you from NEEDING to have surgery in the first place. Ophthalmologist are very, skilled, highly trained surgeons. But, generally don't really think there is much of a need to see you UNTIL they need to do surgery. The medical community somehow values the opinion of a bunch of surgeons over the majority of primary eye care providers in regards to when to get eye health checks. Its a shame. Eyes are extremely important, try not using them for a day. Not going to happen. More likely there are lots of people walking around with insidious, undetected eye disease, refrative issues, and other vision problems that impair their daily life in some way. We only get to do this once, why not have the best vision possible. That should be enough. The fact that we can look at your eye and tell you have MS, diabetes, high blood pressure, wilson's disease, thyroid disease, glaucoma, etc is just icing on the cake and should be further reason to want regular vision exams.
Yes, I am an optometrist. I get to deal with people not understanding optometry and eye disease every day. Not a rant, I hope, but rather perhaps someone will learn something here. :)
As a side note, Its amazing how poorly people see and yet spend huge amounts of money on HDTVs, bluray, HD-DVD. - victorguttmann, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Eye exams could always identify serious diseases.
- ELWOOD_BLUES, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5Everybody is familiar with having Red Eye in flash pictures. This is actually the color of blood in the eye being reflected back to the camera. Have any of you seen White Eye in the same situation? If so, please alert the child's parents, they should take their kids to the doctor right away. It is a sign of cancer.
I am not a doctor, but rather a photographer. This bit of information was passed onto me by other photographers. Hopefully someone here can make use of the information to save a kids sight, or even the kids life. - orangezero, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2not news, perhaps, but it is readily apparent there is a wealth of misinformation on this subject.
- modeps, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Gonna bury this one... this isnt really news at all.
- clickwir, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Our ability and knowledge of doing this is quite old. My friends mom was told by her optometrist that she might be at risk for MS. 6months later she was officially diagnosed with MS. She then lived with it for another 20-25 years.
In other words, 20-25 years ago they were doing this. This isn't news. - gthiruva, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The article isn't saying that you would go to the optometrist to get your blood pressure checked. But when they check the eye - particularly the retina - a doctor may notice symptoms of other conditions - diabetes, even neurological issues like brain tumor that your physician might have missed. Something like high blood pressure will probably be caught in your annual physical since blood pressure is always checked, but unless you complain about certain symptoms or get a full battery of blood tests other conditions might not be detected until you or your doctor get suspicious and conduct the right tests.
Your eye offers a non-invasive look into the body without using needles, scalpels, or MRIs. And that allows the optometrist to be able to see some of the first indications of ailments that might not be visible in the full body physical. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1An optometrist in this country (the UK) is a properly qualified professional with as much training (though different, obviously) as an MD. An "optician" is what you're thinking of - they cannot prescribe lenses but can fit frames (and that's about ALL they can do). An eye examination is carried out (both here and in the USA) by an optometrist - a properly qualified medical professional.
- burdalane, on 10/11/2007, -0/+1At my last eye exam two or three years ago at Lenscrafters, they checked my blood pressure before giving me the eye exam. I don't remember what my BP was, but I think it was normal. My eye pressure was abnormally high, which it also was at an eye exam five years before that, so the optometrist wanted to do a retinal exam to check for optic nerve damage. I declined to save time and still haven't gotten it checked. Oh, well.
- virex, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4Finally this is neat!
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1British optometrists automatically look for all the health problems listed in the article during every eye examination - it's a part of their job specification. There are many conditions not listed in the article that can also be diagnosed very early in this way. Regular eye examinations are essential for everyone!
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4That was very interesting, amazing how simple a typical eye exam can help to identify and recognize minor problems before they become threatening & serious.
- gthiruva, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1First of all, optometrists don't do surgery.
Actually, both optometrists and ophthalmologists go to four years of graduate school. But since optometry school focuses on the eye optometrists probably get more medical training pertaining to the eyes than ophthalmologists. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, learn most of what they need to know about the eye post-graduation in their residency. And most of that training is for surgery, which is where the money is.
Also, a visit to an ophthalmologist is going to be a lot more expensive than the optometrist - especially if your insurance sucks.
Bottom line go to the ophthalmologist for surgery. But go the optometrist for non-surgical issues - eye infections, dry eye treatment, allergies, etc. - mossrockss, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2In my area of NE Indiana, there's an herb doctor who does this stuff. He's an Amish named Solomon Wickey. A teacher of mine in college said he went to him, and was blown away when Wickey could tell that he had a learning disability just by looking in his eyes. Craziness.
- orangezero, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The point of eye care is not to replace care with a primary physician, but rather to offer some overlap. I see something out of the ordinary, and its off to their primary care physician. Sadly, many times they haven't been to either in years. Sometimes the only thing to get people in to any health care provider is to have a broken pair of glasses.
There are many things that can be detected early and proper intervention can improve outcomes and quality of life. But you are right, many times if an optometrist or ophthalmologist sees something, it has been back there for a while. - orangezero, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1nonsurgical issues are far and away the vast majority of eye care problems. I'm more than happy to just deal with that :)
- orangezero, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1As far as optometrists doing surgery, technically that is incorrect according to current terminology. Medicare defines removal of eyelashes as "surgery." Not exactly what you are probably referring to, but it has everything to do with proper billing and reimbursement. There are a few states where optometrists with the proper training are allowed to surgically remove eyelid lesions and use lasers for some glaucoma procedures.
You are right, though, optometrists don't do cataract removals, glaucoma surgery, filtering blebs, etc.
I think its a bit misguided to assume that the pinnacle of any type of care is surgery. Its disrespectful to the vast majority of primary care doctors in the world who have actively chosen not to pursue the surgical career path. Surgeons are highly trained, and no disrespect is meant, but simply being a surgeon does not automatically make you an authority on the matter.
In any case, the point is a bit moot, because you can't just accidentally walk into the wrong place and have an optometrist perform a cataract surgery on you. - orangezero, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1As far as optometrists doing surgery, technically that is incorrect according to current terminology. Medicare defines removal of eyelashes as "surgery." Not exactly what you are probably referring to, but it has everything to do with proper billing and reimbursement. There are a few states where optometrists with the proper training are allowed to surgically remove eyelid lesions and use lasers for some glaucoma procedures.
You are right, though, optometrists don't do cataract removals, glaucoma surgery, filtering blebs, etc.
I think its a bit misguided to assume that the pinnacle of any type of care is surgery. Its disrespectful to the vast majority of primary care doctors in the world who have actively chosen not to pursue the surgical career path. Surgeons are highly trained, and no disrespect is meant, but simply being a surgeon does not automatically make you an authority on the matter.
In any case, the point is a bit moot, because you can't just accidentally walk into the wrong place and have an optometrist perform a cataract surgery on you. - dacheetah, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1In my understanding optometrists are like GPs for your eyes. If something is wrong, but it doesn't appear to be too serious you go to an optometrist, if they find something more serious they will send you on to an ophthalmologist. Just like you wouldn't go to a surgeon in emergency for a common cold, you don't go to an ophthalmologist for a regular checkup or to fill a basic prescription.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -8/+9I knew getting your eyes checked was important, but I didn't know it could shed light on so many other health concerns. Good to know.
- clickwir, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Agreed. This type of detection has been done for years.
- p51d007, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1About 6 years ago, on a routine eye exam, my eye doctor said my eyeball pressure was a little high and asked if I had high
blood pressure. Beats me...the only doctor I saw on a routine basis was the eye doctor, since I had a myopic left eye since
childhood. He checked and sure enough, mine was high. Been on low dose BP meds since... - Domiko, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3@ELWOOD BLUES:
"...you seen White Eye in the same situation? If so, please alert the child's parents..."
Who said anything about a child?
Pedo-graphy much? - trghpy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4Huh, and I thought going to the eye doctor was why I had high blood pressure...
- grettele, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1As a practicing ophthalmologist, I agree completely. Orangezero seems to think that optoms recieve better training in systemic medical disorders, but conveniently neglects to mention that ophthalmologists spend four years in undergrad, then four more in medical school studying anatomy,physiology, pathology, pharrmacology etc. before even beginning 3-4 years of additional training in eye disease. IMHO rotations in cardiology, OB, pediatrics and even psychiatry prepared me better for dealing with systemic disease than 3-4 years of optometry school. Ophthalmologists are not just surgeons! I do everything from routine exams to microsurgery, with few if any referrals to subspecialists. Why not go to a physician who can take care of everything from glasses and contacts up to and including surgery.
- orangezero, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0grettele,
It was someone else that got confused on the training of ophthalmologists. I made no such statements about any lack of training of ophthalmologists, you all certainly train for a long time. I would never say ophthalmologist have less training in eye disease than optometrists and certainly not less training in systemic disease. There certainly are things I feel I do better than the average ophthalmologist (and optometrist, :) ), I'm sure of that. But, realistically, if you discover a patient has diabetes, are YOU going to monitor the diabetic medications? Are you going to perform bypass surgery? Are you going to interpret the MRI and perform the neurosurgery? Are you going to amputate a diabetic leg? Are you going to treat the patient for depression? In all but the most rural areas, I doubt it. You are going to refer them to a board certified, competent specialist. Not only to protect yourself, but also because its in the patient's best interest. Just as I would... In fact, I'd say its almost insane in this day and age for me to refer out a central ulcer to anyone besides a corneal specialist. I could go on and on about the reasons why, but lets keep this nice :) - tlamming, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Opthamologists are jacks of all trades where as optimologists focus on the eye. They go to school JUST focusing on the eye. It seems to me that both professions are needed. It seems kind of defeating to allow in-fighting in the field like this. Cant they both cover the field and make more of an overlapping net that is greater than the some of its two parts? (surgical and non)
- servicingyou, on 12/30/2008, -0/+0very nice tips
http://www.balancedynamics.com/ - Justice101, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2I was under the impression that blindness was a serious affliction. Hmmm the more you know, I guess.
- obxjdt, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Agreed! Seems like a "No *****, who told you?" article....I must bury it....
- lexbaby, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3So? Iridology has been around for years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridology
This article sounds like spam to get you to support your local optometrist and go in for an exam even if you can see fine or your current vision prescription is sufficient. - 10scott10, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4ONe thing, go to an ophthalmologist, not an optometrist. ophthalmologists went to medical school and have an MD. optometrists just have an OD. (which is a kinda made up thing). never go to to optometrist for surgery. never. they are not licensed to preform surgery. that is something a doctor learns in medical school. but optometrists haven't. just a suggestion.
- swimmerking111, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0"look into my eyes........ yeah your ***** for life..
next!" - jimripper, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1This article is misleading. For example, by the time a person has identifiable diabetic retinopathy, it means they've had diabetes and possibly heart disease/hypertension for a long time already. It's much better to see your doctor regularly to screen for the diseases and catch them early on BEFORE you get retinal manifestations.
- TheCrushah, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Dont let your ophthalmologist diagnose your Diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Damage to the eye as a result of these diseases usually indicate an advanced progression and you have a host of other symptoms as well.
- scubasewj, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1The blind dont get diseases..they are just blind
- DiggingDeep, on 10/12/2007, -7/+1So the blind are assed out?
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