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Doctor insights on:
Optometrists Without Borders
1
Can i buy "special contacts", not contact lenses, without seeing an eye doctor?
No: Every contact must be fitted to your eye. ...Read more
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Optometrist (Definition)
Optometrists or doctors of optometry are primary eye care providers along with ophthalmologists. They can prescribe glasses and contacts and diagnose and treat various medical eye conditions. They cannot perform surgery on the eye, only ...Read more
2
Do people without eye floaters see perfectly clear when looking at the sky? No debris or opacities whatsoever?
floaters: You may see the floaters most easily when looking at a clear sky or background in good light-- there is no easy way to get rid of them-- in time, they will be absorbed by the eye, but that may take years... ...Read more
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3
Can a person with hazel eyes change their eye colors without any surgery?
Colored contacts: The most accepted non-surgical method to change eye color is with colored contact lenses. If interested, see an eye doctor for a contact lens fitting. ...Read more
4
Are optometrists trained to detect eye cancers by checking a dilated eye? My regular eye exams are carried out by optometrists per my insurance reqs.
Yes: They are easy for anyone to spot who takes time to examine the parts of the eye carefully. ...Read more
5
Vision impairment question! who diagnoses most of them==optician or optometrist?
O.D., M.D.: A primer on eyecare professionals: opticians are trained and licensed to make prescription eye glasses, while optometrists are doctors who are trained to diagnose and treat most eye conditions. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in treatment of the eye both medically and surgically. Most vision conditions are diagnosed by either optometrists or ophthalmologists. ...Read more
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6
Will visual acuity always determine eyeglass prescription?
No, not always: Visual acuity is a measure of how well you see. In most cases this reflects on what your prescription might be but it can't estimate it exactly. There are many other factors that determine how well you see: if your retina is healthy and if there are other problems with your cornea or lens. It's possible to have poor visual acuity and yet have no need for glasses. ...Read more
7
How do colored contacts work, without coloring the person's vision?
Colors iris: Colored contacts contain a ring of color in the part of the lense that covers the iris. The section over the pupil is clear, allowing unobstructed (and uncolored) viewing. ...Read more
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8
Are lasiks or laser eye doctors going to replace optometrists?
No: Even if everyone could have laser eye surgery (and they cannot,), there are many other conditions of your eyes that require regular examinations and treatment. Optometry is an important component of delivering eye care and will not be going away. ...Read more
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9
Photophobia, ghosting, glares, starbursts.No cataract, power fine, no astigmatism n cornea ok(topography).Wavefront error of 0.66.What should I do to cure?
Many things: These symptoms can also occur from uveitis, inflammation in the eye, certain types medications (digoxin and Chloroquine most commonly) and even a typical migraine. Go see an eyemd. ...Read more
10
Are there license requirements to sell eye glasses?
Yes: They vary from state to state.
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11
What are different type of eye doctors. Ophthalmologist, optometrist, optician?
OD, MD: An opthalmologist goes to medical school and gets an md, then spends 4 more years of training in medicine and surgery with 3 years of emphasis on eye treatment and eye surgery. Some ophthalmologists spend additional years in fellowship training. An optometrist goes to a 4 year optometry school and does non-surgical eye treatment, glasses and contact lenses. An optician makes and fits glasses. ...Read more
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12
Someone became blind from cataract, would their eye color change?
Might turn white: An advanced untreated cataract will eventually turn white in the pupillary space. If still untreated, some will dissolve and lose the white color but more often will rupture and set up a terrific inflammation inside the eye. In this era, cataract removal is so predictable and safe that advanced cataracts should be rare. ...Read more
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13
Can an optician accept insurance without one seeing an eye doctor?
Eyeglasses: Generally speaking an eyeglass prescription is usually valid for up to a year after it is written. An optician helps you to choose the style glasses you want to wear using the prescription that an optometrist or ophthalmologist has written for you. ...Read more
14
Explain why the nearsighted eye cannot view distant objects well?
Nearsightedness: Nearsightedness (myopia) is a condition where the optical system of the eye is too powerful for the length of the eye. This results in images being focused in front of the part of the eye that senses light (the retina). People with this condition see close up but not far away. The condition is treated with glasses, contact lenses, laser eye surgery (lasik, prk) or phakic iol. ...Read more
15
What are ortho-k lenses used for: myopia (nearsightedness) or astigmatism?
Both: Ortho-k is an expensive and non-sensible treatment. With this, you wear contact lenses while you sleep that mould the cornea. This allows better vision. During the day, the cornea reshapes itself to normal. What this means is that you see well for a few hours and your vision fades as the day progresses. A more sensible and cheaper solution is to wear contact lenses during the day. ...Read more
16
Do all toric contacts correct both astigmatism and myopia? Some of them say they are for astigmatism and don't mention nearsightedness.
No: Toric is the part that corrects for the astigmatism. It can be built into contacts for myopia and hyperopia. ...Read more
17
30yo w/ no eye DMG & prescription for vision is right; but have blurry, hazy vision, cannot focus eyes without concentration. Can i be considered legally blind?
Doubtful: Sounds like you need a good eye examination by an ophthalmologist. I bet you can see well. You don't describe any actual eye disease so i suspect you just have inadequate glasses. ...Read more
18
Are there any one using toric contacts and feeling totally comfortable without any blurriness or out of focus?
Many: Toric contacts lenses provide correction for astigmatism. When fit properly on an eye with adequate tear flow, they can be quite comfortable and provide excellent vision. Check with you contact lense ophthalmologist if you are having difficulty with comfort or vision. ...Read more
19
Correct your eyesight without laser eye treatment or contacts?
Implant: You can put an implant in the eye. Or pray. ...Read more
20
Sadly, durasoft colorblends were discontinued. Any others appart from freshlook? Looking for a yearly colored contacts with prescription
I have been: Seeing your unanswered post. You may be better off looking at the company website for product information, gd luck. ...Read more
21
What does an optometrist do?
Correct vision: Optometrists are trained to fit glasses and contacts. They have some training in eye disease but cannot do surgery. They are not MD doctors like ophthalmologists. If you have an eye issue, always start with the real doctor: the Ophthalmologist. ...Read more
22
What subject do optometrists have to study?
Optometrists: Visual acuity and recommending eyeglasses or lenses, basically vision exam. ...Read more
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23
How can optometrists check your specific vision?
Eye chart: Vision care specialists check the vision in the uncorrected eye and the corrected eye by having you read an eye chart with each eye individually. Ophthalmologists are fully trained in vision and eye disease and surgery and are the preferred specialist to check your overall eye health. Optoms can do glasses and contacts but have limited eye health training. ...Read more
24
Should an optometrist have basic medical knowledge?
Would be helpful: Optometrists go to a post college school which is 1/2 business and 1/2 basic eye disease and eyeglass/contact evaluation and care. They do not get general medical training and are not truly doctors although they grant themselves a doctors degree. Because of these deficiencies they do not currently take a board exam. For the best eye care, see an ophthalmologist who has full training. ...Read more
25
Any recommendations for an optometrist in palo alto?
Not for optometrists: A person who might need glasses or contact lenses for nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia (needs reading glasses), but otherwise has no eye symptoms, can see an optometrist (a non-medical doctor). Healthtap in 2011 has only medical doctors as experts, so has ophthalmologists (medical eye doctors who do eye surgery, treat eye diseases, prescribe medications, etc...). ...Read more
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26
At what age should my children first see optometrist?
See ophthalmologist: A child's first examination should be with an ophthalmologist, not an optometrist. There is a huge difference in training between these two groups and the ophthalmologist is the only fully trained medical specialist. See ophthal. if you suspect eye disease, have a history of eye disease, if the childs eye looks funny or is out of alignment, or if he/she seems not to see. Otherwise age 3 is fine ...Read more
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27
How are an optamoligest and an optometrist different?
Big difference: Optometrist have 4 years of training in eye disease and general business management after college. They are excellent at fitting contacts and prescribing eyeglasses. Ophthalmologists are fully trained MD's (4 years) eye, internship (1 year) , residency (4 years) and some for 2 more years afterwards. They can do glasses, diagnose disease, treat disease and do surgery. A huge difference. ...Read more
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28
What is the definition or description of: optometrist?
Eye health care: Optometrists or doctors of optometry are primary eye care providers along with ophthalmologists. They can prescribe glasses and contacts and diagnose and treat various medical eye conditions. They cannot perform surgery on the eye, only ophthalmologists can do that. ...Read more
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29
My optometrist says I have 20-30 vision. Is that good?
Possibly: Is that your best corrected vision or is that your vision without correction? If that is the best, then at your age you need to see an ophthalmologist to find out why it is not 20/20. If it is the uncorrected vision, and the slight blur bothers you, then you could use glasses for extra clarity. ...Read more
30
Can a local optometrist make special effects contacts?
Special effectcontac: This would have to be discussed with the optometrist to determine if he is able to provide you with what you would like. The second issue is why do you want special effect contact lenses? ...Read more
31
Can i consult with more than one optometrist at a time?
Yes but why: If you actually are concerned about the health of your eyes, you will consult with an ophthalmologist who is fully trained to deal with all aspects of eye health and visual needs and not just glasses and contacts. ...Read more
32
Can you just go into an optometrist or do you need a referral?
Should just call: You should be able to simply call and make an appointment. ...Read more
33
Wondering why would the optometrist order me a field vision test?
Several options: Visual field tests are ordered if there is a suspicion of some possible eye condition which could cause a field loss such as glaucoma. Visual field is not usually a screening test and optometrists are notorious for ordering such a test just to rake in the cash for the test. So you should find out if there is an actual reason or get a second opinion from an ophthalmologist. ...Read more
34
Can you tell me, if I am 17, can I go to the optometrist by myself?
Depends on symptoms: Not all pain you feel is ovarian cyst pain. You can start by seeing your family practice doctor and he/she can help you determine what you need to evaluate your symptoms. ...Read more
35
The optometrist said my eyesight is -5. What exactly does that mean?
This means: You have moderate nearsightedness myopia.
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36
What are reasons why would the optometrist order me a field vision test?
Unsure of his result: Optometrists order many tests with expensive machines to compensate for their lack of training and skills. They hope the machines answer will give them the answer. Rather than spend time with an optom, better to see an ophthalmologist who is fully trained in everything an optometrist knows and then has years of training beyond that including surgery. ...Read more
37
I would like to be an optometrist. Does anyone knows how many years i need to study?
Varies: After high school usually a four college degree and then special optometry training of 3-5 years. ...Read more
38
Do optometrists provide you with a written report of the results of your examination?
If asked, definately: You have the right to ask for and receive a written report of your eye exam. ...Read more
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39
Could optometrist tell if you smoked weed?
If you have: Blood shot eyes, dry mouth ; wreak of the smell of cannabis - your optometrist may suspect cannabis use. ...Read more
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40
How are opthalmologist and optometrist different?
Training and: Experience. The focus of optometry training is prescribing glasses and contact lenses. Optometrists do not attend medical school and get limited training in eye disease. Ophthalmologists do attend medical school and are physician specialists who have extensive training in medical and surgical eye problems. Optometry training is four years. Ophthalmology is at least eight. ...Read more
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