Upset with Optometrist

NicksmomESQ · ‎08-19-2014

My Optometrist passed away & his practice was taken over by someone else. I went there to have my eyes checked a couple of weeks ago. When I walked in I was told that the doctor recommends that I have an image taken of the back of my eyes.It’s not covered by insurance & would cost me an additional $50 above my $10 copay.I said okay.

When the optometrist walked in the exam room she did a quick check of my eyes.She then said that the eye imaging pictures showed I had macular degeneration.She suggested I see an ophthalmologist & gave me the name of one & led me out.There was a waiting room full of people .

DH told me to use his Ophthalmologist rather than the one I was referred to.I went to see her yesterday.She gave me a thorough exam which included dialating my pupils. The doctor said I didn’t have macular degeneration at all. I have dry eyes but they are 100% healthy!!

The doctor told me that those imaging machines are not accurate. They are also operated by people with no training or experience.It’s just a way to get more $ out of the patient.She also said that the optometrist should have done a dilation herself & she would have seen there was no macular degeneration present.

The doctor was going to call the optometrist & have a “chat”with her.

I’m so annoyed with that optometrist.She took over a reputable practice & is running it into the ground.

Should I file a complaint or just let my ophthalmologist handle it?

RinaRina · ‎03-13-2010

Here's how I get my revenge ... WRITE REVIEWS!

Of course, you're not going back to the money grubber, but write a short review on a few websites, and that'll fix her.

I've had some stupid stuff happen with Optometrists, which is why I only use readers from the $ store.

"The less you respond to negative people, the more peaceful your life will become."

2blonde · ‎03-10-2010

@NicksmomESQ My suggestion would be to totally skip the optometrist and only go to an opthalmologist from now on. As we age, eye issues are more likely and an opthalmologist is more qualified to catch them.

I have always included the dialated exam whenever I went for a checkup. That was how I found out when I first started getting cataracts. Four years later I "opted" for cataract surgery with replacement premium lenses. I did later have some complications in one eye after the surgery (inflamation) and had to be referred to a retina specialist. I ultimately wound up with a retinal detachment, which had to be repaired. My point is that an optometrist is not a medical doctor. My medical insurance covered 90% of the surgical costs.

Laura loves cats!

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

The optometrist that I've been going to for over 25 years is great! He always dilates the eyes for a full exam and will refer me to either an ophthalmologist or retina specialist if I need them. However he's close to me in age which means he may be planning on retiring soon and has added a young woman to his practice. He says that she's good but I always schedule my appointment with him.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

File a complaint for what???? An optometrist is NOT a medical doctor. Optometrists deal with vision care, not medical issues. She saw what she thought was a medical problem and she did the right thing, she referred you an opthalmologist.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

I agree that if you are uncomfortable, see an opthamologist rather than a optometrist or find a new optometrist you are more comfortable with and trust.

I see an optometrist but I absolutely 100% trust him. Yes he has the same opto imaging machine but he told me from day 1 that they are not as accurate as an eye dilation. He charges $35.00 to have that done rather than dilation. I choose the imaging but if anything ever shows up, and it has, he dilates my eyes to be sure of what he's seeing and if need be, he refers me to an opthamologist, which he has done.

Quite honestly, I'm not so sure I think the opthamologist you saw was all that professional in telling you she was going to contact the optomestrist to "chat" with her. I also have to agree with @chrystaltree on this. She thought she saw a medical issue and referred you elsewhere. Had she not and there been a medical problem, you really would have had an issue. I would rather be referred to someone else for an issue that turns out to be nothing then to have someone try to handle it on their own who shouldn't.

I have also found through the years that not all optometrists are the same. A number of years ago I wanted to try someone different that was closer to my work so more convenient. I went in and he gave me a very basic eye exam for my vision. Never checked my occular pressure, never checked for glaucoma, never mentioned dilation or imaging. He did a vision exam. My optometrist is way more in depth.

NicksmomESQ · ‎08-19-2014

@haddon9 wrote:
The optometrist that I've been going to for over 25 years is great! He always dilates the eyes for a full exam and will refer me to either an ophthalmologist or retina specialist if I need them. However he's close to me in age which means he may be planning on retiring soon and has added a young woman to his practice. He says that she's good but I always schedule my appointment with him.

@haddon9 My original optometrist was just like yours. Very thorough,always dilated my eyes. Referred me to the top Lasix doctor & even accompanied me & held my hand through the entire procedure. This one is nothing like that. I’m done with that office.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

@NicksmomESQ That's too bad....I haven't been to mine since the summer. I'm assuming he's still well & practicing. Yours wasn't in PA was he?

ID2 · ‎06-25-2012

OP, Eh it sounds pretty shady about your experience with your optometrist. I'm so glad to hear that you didn't go to the ophthalmologist she recommended. I feel you were saved from a very un-needed eye surgery. I'd let your ophthalmologist handle it, I'm sure he'll rattle her bones.

"Pure Michigan"

NicksmomESQ · ‎08-19-2014

@chrystaltree wrote:
File a complaint for what???? An optometrist is NOT a medical doctor. Optometrists deal with vision care, not medical issues. She saw what she thought was a medical problem and she did the right thing, she referred you an opthalmologist.

@chrystaltree She should have dilated my eyes.My previous optometrist did that at every checkup.Also the ophthalmologist she referred me to was her son in law. My DH just googled him 5 minutes ago & found a wedding announcement from several years ago.

Complaints can be filed with the state Board of Optometrists.