Wellness

[Kachina624]

You need to check the law in your state. In most, a prescription must be given to a patient on demand to get it filled wherever he wishes. Call the consumer division of your state's attorney general's office.

[Buck-i-Nana]

On 3/15/2014 mandymom said: The whole eye exam thing isn't this complicated...go to a doctor you trust...an OD or an MD...and stick with him. If you don't trust him enough to go the distance with him--through the glasses--why go to him in the first place? Why make a major production out of something when it is not necessary? Frequently, optometrists and ophthalmologists co-manage cases such as cataracts and glaucoma, and work very well together. Both are doctors...one is not better than the other...they each have different specialties...if you are trying to save money, try it somewhere besides your health care.

Are you saying people should buy their eyeglasses from their eye Dr too? My ophthalmologist has an optician store located in their building but the prices are outrageous. In-depth eye exam, I stick with my Dr, but for my eyeglasses, I take my prescription and go elsewhere.

Optometrists and Ophthalmologists are not "interchangeable" and I don't see the differences as "specialties". Optometrists have not gone through the depth of training that Ophthalmologists have and that is why one has an MD. In addition, Ophthalmologists specialize. I deal primarily with one Ophthalmologist, but they referred me to a retinal specialist when I experiences a branch vein occlusion.

[sunshine45]

unless you are having some kind of problems that may need surgical intervention or some other major eye problem, then the optometrists have advanced degrees also. they can give you all the relevant exams AND prescribe medication. optometrists are doctors of optometry. they may be trained in some advanced surgical techniques, are regulated, receive a four year post graduate degree, some do residencies for 1-2 years in specialties, and they must fulfill continuing education requirements.

i trust both my optometrist AND my ophthalmologist, but since i rarely have any problems, i use my optometrist more often.

[Perkup]

If you knew that there was no prescription given at your last appointment, you should not have asked for a "new prescription" for 2013, because there wasn't one; instead you should have asked for a copy of your 2011 prescription.

Also, any good lens prep facility can get a prescription for you from your old glasses - all they have to do is put the lenses through their system.

I have to say that given the fact that you have a cataract (which I also have) I would never go to anyone not trained as an MD to trust the only two eyes I'll ever have. If you didn't want to go through another exam appointment, why not buy a pair of clip ons and wear your regular glasses at the Masters?

[Sameaslast]

I never said that an OD and an MD are interchangeable. Yes, they are each specialists in different areas of eye care...opthalmologists can perform surgery...optometrists cannot. Optometrists receive depth of training in their field...ophthalmologists receive it in theirs. Optometrists examine, diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases...as do opthalmologists...and, yes, they co-manage. One is not superior to the other...it's similar to a dentist and an oral surgeon. Unfortunately, some misinformed people have the notion that they are getting better care if they go to an opthalmologist for their regular eye care...not so. The logical thing to do is to go to the OD who specializes in regular diagnosis and treatment...if there is something further needed, he will refer you to the appropriate MD...perhaps a retinal specialist, for example. You will generally receive a better, more in-depth routine exam from the optometrist because that is his specialty...eye health, refraction, care and treatment of eye diseases including performing some procedures and prescribing medication. Yes, ladies, optometrists are real doctors who undergo extensive training, work in sub-specialties such as low- vision care and visual training, and actually know what they are doing. Further, yes, I did say that glasses should come from either your doctor's office or from a guild optician...neither will provide you with cheap glasses, no, but they will provide you with quality and a correctly filled prescription. It does matter what kind of lab does the work...cheap is cheap...why anyone would not be able to "see" that is a mystery. So many are, unfortunately, misinformed and have their priorities mixed up.

[elruth]

On 3/15/2014 mandymom said: I never said that an OD and an MD are interchangeable. Yes, they are each specialists in different areas of eye care...opthalmologists can perform surgery...optometrists cannot. Optometrists receive depth of training in their field...ophthalmologists receive it in theirs. Optometrists examine, diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases...as do opthalmologists...and, yes, they co-manage. One is not superior to the other...it's similar to a dentist and an oral surgeon. Unfortunately, some misinformed people have the notion that they are getting better care if they go to an opthalmologist for their regular eye care...not so. The logical thing to do is to go to the OD who specializes in regular diagnosis and treatment...if there is something further needed, he will refer you to the appropriate MD...perhaps a retinal specialist, for example. You will generally receive a better, more in-depth routine exam from the optometrist because that is his specialty...eye health, refraction, care and treatment of eye diseases including performing some procedures and prescribing medication. Yes, ladies, optometrists are real doctors who undergo extensive training, work in sub-specialties such as low- vision care and visual training, and actually know what they are doing. Further, yes, I did say that glasses should come from either your doctor's office or from a guild optician...neither will provide you with cheap glasses, no, but they will provide you with quality and a correctly filled prescription. It does matter what kind of lab does the work...cheap is cheap...why anyone would not be able to "see" that is a mystery. So many are, unfortunately, misinformed and have their priorities mixed up.

My sister went to the same optometrist for many years. He said all was ok. Just the usual far sightedness that comes with age so she got readers. One day she saw what seemed like a spider web across her eye. She then went to an ophthalmologist.Turns out to be a serious type of glaucoma which is not determined by a pressure reading. Her optometrist didn't diagnose this. This isn't something that develops overnight. Result? She is now partially blind. She wishes she had originally gone to an ophthalmologist

[colliegirls]

On 3/15/2014 Perkup said:

If you knew that there was no prescription given at your last appointment, you should not have asked for a "new prescription" for 2013, because there wasn't one; instead you should have asked for a copy of your 2011 prescription.

Also, any good lens prep facility can get a prescription for you from your old glasses - all they have to do is put the lenses through their system.

I have to say that given the fact that you have a cataract (which I also have) I would never go to anyone not trained as an MD to trust the only two eyes I'll ever have. If you didn't want to go through another exam appointment, why not buy a pair of clip ons and wear your regular glasses at the Masters?

I believe that state laws now prohibit Opticians from reading old glasses, that is why everyone needs a current prescription.

[Buck-i-Nana]

On 3/15/2014 mandymom said: I never said that an OD and an MD are interchangeable. Yes, they are each specialists in different areas of eye care...opthalmologists can perform surgery...optometrists cannot. Optometrists receive depth of training in their field...ophthalmologists receive it in theirs. Optometrists examine, diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases...as do opthalmologists...and, yes, they co-manage. One is not superior to the other...it's similar to a dentist and an oral surgeon. Unfortunately, some misinformed people have the notion that they are getting better care if they go to an opthalmologist for their regular eye care...not so. The logical thing to do is to go to the OD who specializes in regular diagnosis and treatment...if there is something further needed, he will refer you to the appropriate MD...perhaps a retinal specialist, for example. You will generally receive a better, more in-depth routine exam from the optometrist because that is his specialty...eye health, refraction, care and treatment of eye diseases including performing some procedures and prescribing medication. Yes, ladies, optometrists are real doctors who undergo extensive training, work in sub-specialties such as low- vision care and visual training, and actually know what they are doing. Further, yes, I did say that glasses should come from either your doctor's office or from a guild optician...neither will provide you with cheap glasses, no, but they will provide you with quality and a correctly filled prescription. It does matter what kind of lab does the work...cheap is cheap...why anyone would not be able to "see" that is a mystery. So many are, unfortunately, misinformed and have their priorities mixed up.

A lot of judgements from you and assumptions about everyone's posts. I'm not going to argue with you, I will say that there is a wide range of pricing available for EXCELLENT quality glasses from various EXCELLENT locations. By the way, you didn't include "guild optician" in your original post. Lots of clarifications goings on here, doesn't change your tone.

[Sameaslast]

I have no intention of changing my tone...or my statements. There are both optometrists and ophthalmologists in my immediate family...lots of years of practice...and facts are facts. As far as the poster with the relative who she says was misdiagnosed is concerned, it is sad, but true, that not all doctors in any specialty are excellent practitioners. That is also a sad but true fact. Had the person gone to a different optometrist, the outcome would most likely have been different.

[halfpint1]

I had an examine by an optometrist but he said he couldn't give me new glasses because of cataracts. No more of an explanation. Still a little scared of the operation for I only see out of one eye.