Ophthalmologist married to Optometrist

[NdSea]

Just curious if any ophthalmologists out there are married to any optometrists...

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[packerhater]

Just curious if any ophthalmologists out there are married to any optometrists...

I just stumbled on this site on a late night surf session. I am curious as to the relevance of this question. There seems to be a lot of anger and misunderstanding between optometrists and ophthalmologists on this site. I would like for someone to define "surgery" for this poor optom and why general ophthalmology is so threatened by optometry. Is it not conceivable that there may be more than one way to train an ophthalmic surgeon? I would never claim to be one but I do believe that I have a pretty good background education that would allow me to pursue a surgical residency if so desired. I do not feel that the average specialist is threatened by optometry. I do feel that the general ophthalmologist may be. In my local (outside of Dallas, TX) there is not many days that go by that I do not have a patient inform me that they feel they received the best examination that they have ever received. In fact I often have to correct patients saying that I am "only" and optometrist. In the long run are we not all here to provide the best care to our patients. IMO there is only two ways to care for patients, the right way and the wrong way. It does not matter what your degree is.

 

[smiegal]

I would like for someone to define "surgery" for this poor optom and why general ophthalmology is so threatened by optometry. Is it not conceivable that there may be more than one way to train an ophthalmic surgeon? I would never claim to be one but I do believe that I have a pretty good background education that would allow me to pursue a surgical residency if so desired. I do not feel that the average specialist is threatened by optometry. I do feel that the general ophthalmologist may be. In my local (outside of Dallas, TX) there is not many days that go by that I do not have a patient inform me that they feel they received the best examination that they have ever received. In fact I often have to correct patients saying that I am "only" and optometrist.

Dear Packerhater,
I would like to start out by disclosing that I am very much a Packer fan and clarify that the Cowboys are no longer "America's Team" according to popularity polls. If you're not a Vikings fan, then your emotion would fall into the sorry category of a one-directional or unrequited rivalry, as seen in Boston College football fans' perplexingly strong emotion towards Notre Dame, and any non-UNC basketball fans' perceived "rivalry" with Duke. Anyhoo...

Dear "poor optom,"
Regarding your post, you started by innocently asking for someone to explain to the "poor optom" "why general ophthalmology is so threatened," and then proceeded to declare your educational/experiential competence to enter a surgical residency. And then you said that you believe general ophthalmology may be threatened by optometry. Huh?

Frankly, I've had enough about the skin tag and foreign body removal crap. It's fine, go for it & attempt to change policy accordingly. Just don't try to open the door for all intra-ocular and laser surgery and whine that these moves are necessary in order to defend your right to inject a stupid chalazion. You know exactly where the contentious issues lie. And don't argue that there are underserved rural patients and then go fire up your lasers in a city where there are more than enough Ophthalmologists trained to do so. And if you make the argument that Ophthalmology training is excessive for a given procedure, the only way a lesser-trained provider could theoretically benefit society would be through charging significantly less for said procedure, which is not the case.

When one of my patients (on Int. Med. service) told the cardiologist on consult that she would have to discuss his recommendations with me before consenting, I took it as a compliment that she liked and trusted me, not that my training and judgement were equal or superior. I'm glad she appreciated the way I examined her & discussed the findings, but obviously wouldn't deign to take her testimonial as evidence of my competence in the field. And I told her that I'm "only" an intern.

 

[packerhater]

Dear Packerhater,
I would like to start out by disclosing that I am very much a Packer fan and clarify that the Cowboys are no longer "America's Team" according to popularity polls. If you're not a Vikings fan, then your emotion would fall into the sorry category of a one-directional or unrequited rivalry, as seen in Boston College football fans' perplexingly strong emotion towards Notre Dame, and any non-UNC basketball fans' perceived "rivalry" with Duke. Anyhoo...

Dear "poor optom,"
Regarding your post, you started by innocently asking for someone to explain to the "poor optom" "why general ophthalmology is so threatened," and then proceeded to declare your educational/experiential competence to enter a surgical residency. And then you said that you believe general ophthalmology may be threatened by optometry. Huh?

Frankly, I've had enough about the skin tag and foreign body removal crap. It's fine, go for it & attempt to change policy accordingly. Just don't try to open the door for all intra-ocular and laser surgery and whine that these moves are necessary in order to defend your right to inject a stupid chalazion. You know exactly where the contentious issues lie. And don't argue that there are underserved rural patients and then go fire up your lasers in a city where there are more than enough Ophthalmologists trained to do so. And if you make the argument that Ophthalmology training is excessive for a given procedure, the only way a lesser-trained provider could theoretically benefit society would be through charging significantly less for said procedure, which is not the case.

When one of my patients (on Int. Med. service) told the cardiologist on consult that she would have to discuss his recommendations with me before consenting, I took it as a compliment that she liked and trusted me, not that my training and judgement were equal or superior. I'm glad she appreciated the way I examined her & discussed the findings, but obviously wouldn't deign to take her testimonial as evidence of my competence in the field. And I told her that I'm "only" an intern.

I knew i would find someone of interest on this board. Actually, I do bleed purple and just wait till Christmas eve. A last second field goal on your home turf a dominant team does not make. I do like the Irish as well. Years of torment in my house.

As for my reply, let me clarify it was made in the wee hours of the morning. I by no means qualify myself as a surgeon. I am however qualified to do minor procedures that are listed as surgery based on CPT coding. Removing skin tags and chalazion fine however I have a wonderful relationship with an oculoplastics that does that for me.

I do get disturbed by organized ophthalmologies attempt to control optometry. Trying to limit the way they care for their patients by limiting punctal occlusion, epilation, debridment, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases both acute and chronic. In utopia I see myself taking care of my patients and earning their trust just like yours trust you, and consulting with the appropriate specialist when the time comes.

I also do feel that there are more than one way to become a surgeon. Dosnt dentistry and podietry perform surgical procedures. Some I would argue more invasive than optometry does. Is there the same outcry for these professions.

Thanks for the comments and yes Go Vikings.

 

[Toadkiller Dog]

Back to the original question, I have an interesting anecdote.

I spent 2 weeks earlier this year rotating with an ophtho who tried very hard to talk me out of applying for this field. He had spent the past 20 years in the lobbying fight against optometry, and was just sick and tired of losing for all the wrong reasons (i.e, who had given the most money to the state legislators got the vote), and felt he had gained nothing from it except a community of optoms who refused to refer cases to him.

Interestingly enough, he had just married an optom who was (at least) 20 years his junior, and is having kids with her. Perhaps the ultimate sign of his surrender.

 

[NdSea]

Back to the original question, I have an interesting anecdote.

I spent 2 weeks earlier this year rotating with an ophtho who tried very hard to talk me out of applying for this field. He had spent the past 20 years in the lobbying fight against optometry, and was just sick and tired of losing for all the wrong reasons (i.e, who had given the most money to the state legislators got the vote), and felt he had gained nothing from it except a community of optoms who refused to refer cases to him.

Interestingly enough, he had just married an optom who was (at least) 20 years his junior, and is having kids with her. Perhaps the ultimate sign of his surrender.

I guess he figured if he was going to lose any money to the optometrists he might as well marry one. You figure this way whatever business he loses to her will still come back into their bank account one way or another... or maybe he really loved her...