Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 ggr 02/21/84; site bentley.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!bentley!dxa From: dxa@bentley.UUCP (DR Anolick) Newsgroups: net.med Subject: Follow-up on Optometrists vs Ophthalmologists Info Message-ID: <507@bentley.UUCP> Date: Tue, 12-Feb-85 17:01:44 EST Article-I.D.: bentley.507 Posted: Tue Feb 12 17:01:44 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 13-Feb-85 04:30:31 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Piscataway Lines: 62 A few weeks ago I posted a request for information and suggestions about who to see for eye checkups, an Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, or a vision "store." I received seventeen replys, with much too much information to list each reply here. So, I'll just give a quick summary. Thirteen of the seventeen replies recommended an Ophthalmologist over an Optometrist. Very few of the replies even mentioned the possibility of going to a vision "store," and those that did mention it were very negative. So it seems like the net feels that it is a good idea to stay away from that type of eye treatment. A number of people also pointed out that Ophthalmologists and Optometrists were just like all other professions in that there are good ones and bad ones. So, if you have a bad experience with one or the other, don't judge the entire profession. The best way to summarize the difference between Optometrists and Ophthalmologists was given by Tracy Tims: Optometrists are primarily concerned about the functioning of the eye as a VISUAL system. The Ophthalmologist is concerned about the eye as an organ in general. This difference is because Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in the eye as an organ. Optometrists are NOT medical doctors, but are extensively trained in fitting eyeglasses and/or contacts. Glenn Kapetansky put the difference this way: Your question [Ophthalmologists vs Optometrists] is really similar to saying "I can get drugs from a doctor or a pharmacist. Do I really need to see the doctor?" In all fairness to Optometrists, a number of people pointed out that if someone is fairly confident with the overall health of there eyes and just needs a new fitting for contacts or glasses, than seeing an Optometrist is probably all that you would need, and would probably be less expensive. Because of the history of eye problems that I have had (I started with glasses in the third grade), I will definitely be seeing an Ophthalmologists. I was pretty much sure of that decision before I posted to the net, but I wanted to hear what others would say. I am not willing to take any chances with my eyesight. Thanks to everyone who sent me a reply, I hope this summary helps others who may have had similar questions. If anyone wants a full copy of the responses I received, let me know and I'll send you one. (But be warned, its very very long) TTFN, Droyan ..ihnp4!bentley!dxa David Roy Anolick ^ ^^^ ^^