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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     
			^     ^^^ ^^