Do Optometrists have the option to specialize?

[I-Ball]

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Hey guys,

Is it possible for an Optometrist to specialize in some field of eye care, or are all Optometrists the same? If so, what options are availible? What kind of training is necessary/usually availible for someone who may want to become a specialist?

In light of the whole "Optometry vs. Opthamology" debate I was wondering, as of right now, what the upper limit of Optometry is.

Thanks in Advance,

I-Ball

 

[cpw]

you can specialize in Low Vision, Ocular Disease, Pediatrics/Binocular Vision, or Contact Lenses by doing a one year residency. But, it's totally up to you what you want to do with it and whether or not you want to complete one. Doing a residency does nothing to expand your scope of practice, however. You're just... more specialized.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Hey guys,

Is it possible for an Optometrist to specialize in some field of eye care, or are all Optometrists the same? If so, what options are availible? What kind of training is necessary/usually availible for someone who may want to become a specialist?

In light of the whole "Optometry vs. Opthamology" debate I was wondering, as of right now, what the upper limit of Optometry is.

Thanks in Advance,

I-Ball

http://www.opted.org/reslookup/

The "upper limit" of optometry depends on the state you're working in, and the laws that govern optometric scope of practice.

 

[I-Ball]

Thanks for the info guys.

Let's say I do one of those residencies and I really enjoy it. Is it possible to work in a setting where I see only those types of patients?

 

[Richard_Hom]

Thanks for the info guys.

Let's say I do one of those residencies and I really enjoy it. Is it possible to work in a setting where I see only those types of patients?

Dear I-Ball,

In general, there will always be a mix of patients that you will see. It would be rare circumstance where you would only see one kind of patient.

Richard

 

[Xalatan1]

Hey guys,

Is it possible for an Optometrist to specialize in some field of eye care, or are all Optometrists the same? If so, what options are availible? What kind of training is necessary/usually availible for someone who may want to become a specialist?

In light of the whole "Optometry vs. Opthamology" debate I was wondering, as of right now, what the upper limit of Optometry is.

Thanks in Advance,

I-Ball

definitely.. sports vision for instance

 

[cdh86]

There are some practies out here who 'specialize' in certain areas, as mentioned above. So if you find a practice like that, and get involved, you could potentially see just one kind of patient I suppose...

CH

 

[I-Ball]

Hmm, okay. Is there some sort of setting where an optometrist can focus on pediatrics?

 

[stompy]

Hmm, okay. Is there some sort of setting where an optometrist can focus on pediatrics?

Yep! Vision therapy. It's a growing field.

 

[r_salis]

I have an OD friend who works in an OD/OMD office who specializes in peds. The OMDs hired her on initially because they were a group of old guys who didn't know how to deal with kids.

 

[I-Ball]

I have an OD friend who works in an OD/OMD office who specializes in peds. The OMDs hired her on initially because they were a group of old guys who didn't know how to deal with kids.

Haha, that's cool. I don't know if it would be possible but I'd really want to work with kids as much as possible.

 

[I-Ball]

Yep! Vision therapy. It's a growing field.

Vision Therapy as in helping people regain vision? or strengthening vision? How do you get involved in this?

 

[r_salis]

Vision Therapy as in helping people regain vision? or strengthening vision? How do you get involved in this?

SUNY is a well-known VT school (VT is taught as part of the regular OD program, and as a residency specialty). From their website:

Optometric vision therapy, also referred to as visual training or orthoptics, is a treatment regimen to correct or improve specific dysfunctions of the visual system identified by standardized diagnostic criteria. It includes, but is not limited to the treatment of strabismus, amblyopia, accommodation, ocular motor functions and visual-perceptual-motor abilities.

More info here:
http://www.sunyopt.edu/uoc/vistherapy.shtml

 

[jchod]

SUNY is a well-known VT school (VT is taught as part of the regular OD program, and as a residency specialty). From their website:


More info here:
http://www.sunyopt.edu/uoc/vistherapy.shtml

I wouldn't spend as much time on VT as consider doing a residency specificaly in Pediatric Optometry, That will include any VT you may do. But to concentrate just on VT if your primary goal is pediatrics, will limit you. You will not be addressing several types of pediatric patients. EUA's for example, fitting aphakic infants with contacts, etc. I'd reccomend a residency specifially in pediatrics, there are 12 nationally. Check out "http://www.opted.org/reslookup/search2.asp"

 

[r_salis]

I wouldn't spend as much time on VT as consider doing a residency specificaly in Pediatric Optometry, That will include any VT you may do. But to concentrate just on VT if your primary goal is pediatrics, will limit you. You will not be addressing several types of pediatric patients. EUA's for example, fitting aphakic infants with contacts, etc. I'd reccomend a residency specifially in pediatrics, there are 12 nationally. Check out "http://www.opted.org/reslookup/search2.asp"

Just to play devil's advocate (though personally, I agree with jchod on this) -- it is possible to make a career treating solely pediatric patients in VT. One benefit I can think of is that VT is a OD-only specialty -- that is, you won't be competing with any OMDs when you graduate and set up a practice.