diabetic retinopathy and ODs

[maxwellfish]

---

Members do not see this ad.

The following links to an about.com article.

http://diabetes.about.com/b/a/257702.htm

My question, are diabetics really required/encouraged to have annual exams by an ophthalmologist rather than an optometrist?

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

The following links to an about.com article.

http://diabetes.about.com/b/a/257702.htm

My question, are diabetics really required/encouraged to have annual exams by an ophthalmologist rather than an optometrist?

Depends on who is doing the encouraging. The American Diabetic Association makes no distinction. If you have a good working relationship with the local family practitioners, they will often send to ODs for this.

 

[cpw]

If I get patients with DR, I send their FP a letter letting them know. I've gotten a few referrals that way. 🙂

 

[S_SEEN2020]

My mother doesn't have DR, but she is diabetic, and she goes to see an optometrist every year.

 

[in_translation]

The following links to an about.com article.

http://diabetes.about.com/b/a/257702.htm

My question, are diabetics really required/encouraged to have annual exams by an ophthalmologist rather than an optometrist?

Some DR patients go to ODs that specialize in low vision services. From what I hear, though, there is a lack of these low vision ODs in general...

 

[rpames]

I see tons of DR in the ICO clinic on a yearly recall and my father manages tons of DR patients. Often times the media will say things like, "go to the ophthalmologist," but that really just means go see an eye doctor, MD or OD. ODs can handle DR until lasers are needed and then we make the referrals.

 

[POJO]

The following links to an about.com article.

http://diabetes.about.com/b/a/257702.htm

My question, are diabetics really required/encouraged to have annual exams by an ophthalmologist rather than an optometrist?

Dear Maxwellfish - Why the question?

 

[maxwellfish]

Dear Maxwellfish - Why the question?

Ah, no reason really. I ran arcross that "article", and was surprized by what it said. Thanks for all the comments though.

 

[ProZackMI]

A few of my diabetic patients see an OD for dilation to ensure no DR or PDR has developed. For screening and basic tx, ODs can do the same thing for less money. My patients report they can set up an appointment, get in and out to see the optometrist quickly, and save heaps of money, whereas seeing an ophthalmologist may involve long waits, etc.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

A few of my diabetic patients see an OD for dilation to ensure no DR or PDR has developed. For screening and basic tx, ODs can do the same thing for less money. My patients report they can set up an appointment, get in and out to see the optometrist quickly, and save heaps of money, whereas seeing an ophthalmologist may involve long waits, etc.

Are your patients self pay? Reason I ask, most insurance that allows ODs tends to have the same reimbursement schedule, whether you see an MD or an OD. I'd be curious if there was insurance that did things differently.

 

[POJO]

Are your patients self pay? Reason I ask, most insurance that allows ODs tends to have the same reimbursement schedule, whether you see an MD or an OD. I'd be curious if there was insurance that did things differently.

Dear VA Hopeful Dr,

In cases where plans are per capita or HMO, it is definitely less expensive for ODs to manage diabetics for retinopathy.

 

[ProZackMI]

Are your patients self pay? Reason I ask, most insurance that allows ODs tends to have the same reimbursement schedule, whether you see an MD or an OD. I'd be curious if there was insurance that did things differently.

Honestly, I don't really know the answer to this since I rarely deal with insurance problems/issues, but I do know that a few diabetic patients have mentioned going to an optometrist (as opposed to "eye doctor", which could be an MD, DO, or OD). It's possible that some patients might confuse the terms, but my guess is that they saw an OD and reported good results!

 

[TarzanBoy]

There is nothing wrong with an OD doing dilated fundus diabetes eye exams. In fact, you must do it as part of the routine exam if the patient has diabetes. This will be a great oportunity to let your patienst know that you do more than just glasses and contact lenses. Always remember to send a diabetes eye exam report to the patient's PCP to built up that trust and relationship. Obviously when laser is indicated, you must refer to the MDs.

 

[eggman20]

In order to provide a thorough exam for RN does it matter how detailed of a retinal image the optometrist can get? I will probably learn this in school, but I am curious now. Thanks.