Another vision question

[4fromkorea]

In reference to my previous post...

Optometrist or opthamologist for basic vision/eye health check?

[Sally in PA]

My kids go to an optomostrist . The opthomalogist can do eye surgeries and has other training and is an MD. I personally don't think it matters as long as you find a reputable one.

[hosta]

Optometrists have a lot more training in optics -- so for those w/ difficult vision correction issues, they are probably superior. Ophthalmologists have training in diseases of the eye.

Assuming you're going to a reputable person, either should be fine for general check-ups and eye care.

[HLLB]

We go to an optometrist who is excellent. However, if you don't have vision insurance, an opthalmologist is usually covered by your medical insurance.

[malie64]

personally (for me) one of the bigger factors with young children is that the practice is without a doubt set up for pedatric patients While I am SURE without a doubt that many professionals who see a complete family just fine, first time out especially if you doing it because you have a concern compared to just a routine visit to start your child out, someone who works almost exclusively with children would be my choice).

I guess that's the other thing if you have a concern that isn't just hey my child might be near sighted or far sighted, I would probably go with the opthomalogist but again I would pick a pedatric optometrist over a family opthomalogist

http://www.eyecaresource.com/professions/ gives a nice little description of the differences in training without putting one or the other group down (which a lot of sources do )

In the end I don't think you really can go wrong, if you have a good doctor

[The Princess Mom]

Optometrist. You will get more for your money and a better eye exam. In fact, my dh has had to correct bad refractions and rx by ophthamologists.

It is untrue that only ophthamologists are trained in diseases of the eye. In this day and age with intensive training optometrists receive, You will get the same exam from both. If the optometrist finds evidence of disease, he will refer the patient to the ophthamologist when needed. It is MUCH more cost effective to see an optometrist first. Just choose a good one.

Here is a place to start looking for a good optometrist.
http://www.visionsource.com/

[bearbinda]

We go to a pediatric opthamologist who is tops in her field! An optomologist ruied my eyes by prescribing me the wrong type of contacts! It took a cornea specialist and an opthomologist to figure out what the "crook" did! I wouldn't trust Jake's eyes to an optomologist after that experience!

[The Princess Mom]

There are bad doctors in every field. Bearbinda must have seen one of the bad'ins. There are no optomologists anywhere.

edited to add: General ophthamology has gone the way of the dinosaur. They are a jack of all trades, master of none. Most good ophthamologists have specialized into peds(and some specialties there), retinal specialists, refractive surgeons, eye/facial plastic surgery, etc. If you want to see well with a prescription(contacts and glasses) your best bet is an optometrist. They are also extensively trained in finding and identifying eye disease and most manage glaucoma and many post surgical cases.

[forever5]

I am more confused than ever.

Andie.

[4fromkorea]

Thanks for all your help (as well as the private info). I'll be calling my insurance in the morning to see what our insurance covers and who we can see.

[Linda in NJ]

edited to add: General ophthamology has gone the way of the dinosaur. They are a jack of all trades, master of none. Most good ophthamologists have specialized into peds(and some specialties there), retinal specialists, refractive surgeons, eye/facial plastic surgery, etc. If you want to see well with a prescription(contacts and glasses) your best bet is an optometrist. They are also extensively trained in finding and identifying eye disease and most manage glaucoma and many post surgical cases.[/quote]

Not sure where you are getting your info!?!?!? Sounds like you know alot about optometrists and not alot about ophthalmologists. While there are alot of specialists, the general peds ophtho clinic has a pretty big practice.

My two cents as a peds nurse and the mother of a child that has been wearing classes since she was 18 months, I say go to the ophthalmologist MD. The MD has a broader scope of knowledge and can eval for alot more. For Grace, she was referred for eyes crossing. If the glasses had not worked, she would have needed surgery. I want the MD's opinion on that.