Optometrist or Opthalmologist

[Mewkiss]

I know that it depends on the doctor as to who is better, but I was wondering if there was a difference in the treatments they can provide. Can an OD prescribe things?

My opthalmologist is not at all forthcoming with information. I have no diagnosis, no treatment plan, nothing except some samples.

I want to be involved in my treatment and know my options. I will talk to her about it but if I want to get a 2nd opinion, or change doctors, I was wondering if an optometrist, if the right one, can help.

Thanks

[PotatoCakes]

Both can prescribe. If you have issues with your cornea, you'll want a corneal specialist (not an optometrist).
I'm in the process of changing my opthalmologist because of "personality" issues. He's quite competent although I believe his personality is getting in the way of his expertise & talent. He lacks listening skills, is arrogant and does not communicate with me about my diagnosis -- he simply tells me what to do as if I were a child. That doesn't work for me so that last few months, I've been seeing new doctors and think I finally have a path to two doctors that can help me manage my eye issues.

If your opthalmologist isn't giving you what you need, and it sounds like he isn't, it's time to look for a new doctor. I kept seeing my former opthalmologist while I was looking for a new one because I needed to have someone keeping on top of things in case my eyes got worse or whatever. I only recently (days ago) cancelled my future appts but that's because I feel confident that I have someone new. If you are able to continue seeing your current doctor while seeking out a new one, that is what I suggest. If you can't, you'll have to jump in with both feet but it can be done.

Regardless of how you do it, ask for copies of all of your records. That way when you see a new physician, you can hand over the copies (tell them to make copies as you want them back) and they aren't starting from scratch. I made that mistake for a while and it was disastrous because each doctor started at square one. Had they had all of my info, they might have started at square three, four or five, saving me time, energy and frustration.

If you've seen other doctors for thyroid tests, hormone tests, rheumatology tests or any other tests that might help them determine the cause of your dry eye, ask for copies of those to bring with you as well. I now carry a file with me that I can provide with my latest schedule of drugs, drops & whatever I might be doing to manage my eyes.

[Mewkiss]

Hi Potatocakes. Thanks for the info.

I have only see this opthal 2x. First one was a few weeks ago when something was stuck inside my eye.

I do not believe anything else was going on since this started out of the blue Wednesday night. No kidding one minute I was fine, the next after pulling some mascara off my lashes i was not. That is really what happened. And because I have other health issues I'm really on top of what I'm doing and what I'm taking. This has me baffled, and P'd off.

The problem I am having with her is that she gives me no information. I got no diagnosis, no tests, no instructions and no information. The instructions I got for one sample of drops was incomplete and not clear so I would have used them wrong. I also now realize she just did not give me information. She also was ready to put in plugs next time she saw me. She also, I discovered did not give me information that would have been really helpful to me in managing this. I want a doctor to give me information and let me decided what I want to do with it. She took that away from me.

I'm the kind of person that wants to know all my options so I can make decisions. I would even want to know what kind of plugs. but there are other things that can be done.

I think, when the time comes I will tell her what I need from her. If I cannot get it, then I"ll move on. I just like to plan ahead. The problem is I am on medicare so my options are limited. In fact one group of opthalmologists are huge on LASIKS and other eye surgeries and cosmetic procedures. Not who I want to go to for a serious problem.

So we'll see. I just wanted to make sure an optometrist can rx if necessary.

[neve]

Hi Mewkiss - The first person I saw was an optometrist for my DES, mainly because of pain and the feeling of something in my eye. He tried to sell me new glasses, over-priced fish oil pills ( about 3X what they should cost as I later found out) and his own particular knowledge was very limited and as I found out, I was given a very wrong diagnosis. Luckily, after I suffered a small corneal erosion and went there in a hurry, he said he could only refer me to a specialist because he had nothing else to offer...except of course trying to sell me more frames and glasses. Now this is not to say that all optometrists are like this...knowledgable ones do exist, the ones that are up on the DES issues and want to help and do know their stuff...especially as compared to some corneal surgeons that are interested in primarily one thing; surgery. Yes, optometrists can prescribe tho it may or may not be limited as to what they can, by law, prescribe. That I don't know. The optometrist did prescribe a steroid for me and I know they can prescribe a steroid/antibiotic preparation as well. What else? I don't know. Next stop for me was a corneal specialist/surgeon. I thought he was good, tho he was very gung ho about doing plugs that same day. I said not yet. Two weeks later..my next step...another opth and someone who does know her stuff re: DES and all that goes along with it. So far, she is heads and tails above the first Doc as far as I can tell. I learned so much more from her, was told of conditions that "corneal doc/surgeon" never even mentioned or cautioned me about, not to mention medication/treatment that was def needed was totally disregarded.

All any of us can do is try and use our best judgement and perhaps, learn something from each and every opth or optom. we see. My gut tells me I found someone good. Don't know if I answered your question at all but either way, best of luck to you! PS -You stated about your opth - No tests, no info, no directions, no diagnosis??? Not an opth for me...or seemingly, for anyone that wishes to be an integral part of their own healthcare! I would say to get your records and find someone that will do all they are supposed to do as your healthcare provider...you deserve better as we all do! And I agree with PotatoCakes; any cornea related issues should be seen by a corneal specialist, not an optometrist!! Just my opinion and good luck!~