Optometrist vs Opthamalogist

[Mehita]

DS saw an opthamalogist last summer for the first time. The appt was meh. I felt the dr was very knowledgable about Crohn's and what needed to be looked after, but her chair side manner was lacking. I was really surprised she was in pediatrics. DS just needed to go at his own pace and have things explained to him in order to feel comfortable and cooperate. She had very little patience, was short with him and didn't want to address his concerns. Now DS is dreading going back.

So, today I was at my optometrist's (hello, bifocals!!) who I absolutely love. He's funny, genuine, calm, patient... everything I need in a dr for DS. I asked what he knew about Crohn's and if he was capable of caring for someone with Crohn's. He rattled off all the things that need to be watched for and then pulled up a website to confirm what he just told me. I think DS would love this guy and the dr said he would feel completely comfortable taking DS on as a patient. He'd study up if need be, but felt he already knew what needs to be monitored and treated if necessary.

My question... what exactly is the difference between an optometrist and and opthamalogist? Would I be making a big mistake switching? Can optometrists prescribe meds? Is that the difference? Our GI had said that sometimes you can find a really good optometrist to monitor for Crohn's, but ideally an opthamalogist is better equipped. Why?

 

[Jmrogers4]

Jack just saw an opthamologist for the the first time in December, for a majority of the appointment he was with an optometrist as he had never been to either one. She was great explained everything then he saw the opthamologist for about 2 minutes who looked at his eyes says everything looks great and I don't see anything that would be an issue with Crohn's come back in 3 years unless you need to before then. We also had to wait over a month for an appt. with the opthamologist so I would also be interested to hear what the group has to say.

 

[my little penguin]

My two cents
Opthamalogist is the way to go
They are a medically trained md who specializes in just eyes and very easily could have chosen Gi allergy etc...
Ours picked up DS rare eye disease and treats it very aggressively .
The doc is funny as well.and spend a long time talking and explaining. To DS
They use him fir a teaching case for the medical students since most miss his dx.


Optometrist are not medical doctors
Crohn's patients need medical doctors for the gut - Gi
Joints - Rheumo
Eye opthamalogist s
Since the risk of serious eye damage is very high with crohn's
They are not just looking to see if they need their vision corrected .

Maybe find a different
Since bedside manner can vary

 

[DustyKat]

Ophthalmologist
(also known as: Eye Specialist, Eye Surgeon, Eye Doctor)

Ophthalmologists can:

diagnose and treat eye conditions
perform eye surgery
prescribe medications
prescribe glasses

Optometrist

Optometrists can:

prescribe glasses and contact lenses
diagnose or screen for and monitor eye disease
prescribe a limited range of medications
refer clients directly to an ophthalmologist if surgery or complex therapeutic treatment is required.

In Australia optometry is a university degree gained via a bachelor of science whereas opthalmology is gained via a bachelor of medicine followed by further specialist training in the eye.
Optometrists in Australia are not referred to as a doctor.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Mehita]

I cancelled the appt with the ophthalmologist from last summer and found a new doctor who is associated with our children's hospital. Hopefully, being in a ped clinic, they will be much more patient with him. Bonus is that we can just cross the street afterward for his GI check up. I expect he won't be happy with "doctor day", but it sure is convenient.

 

[DustyKat]

Good luck! I hope the new doc is a good one.

Dusty. xxx