Programs that ask for Eye exams

[fatpigeon2010]

I had a recent eye exam to fill out one of the papers that a program required in which my optometrist told me I had a small exophoria/hyperphoria at near. Is this a big deal? I have had other eye exams in which stereopsis was 20 seconds of arc, color vision normal, and 20/20 vision CC (-.75 sph in both eyes). I have never had any eye problems growing up and just got glasses in the last 2-3 years. I have been on 5 ophtho interviews so far, several of which have tested stereopsis and they have all said that I have done fine. In addition, I have never had any problems reading or any symptoms whatsoever from this. Does this mean it could get worse and is this something to worry about at all when it comes to a career in ophtho?

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[peroxidase]

I had a recent eye exam to fill out one of the papers that a program required in which my optometrist told me I had a small exophoria/hyperphoria at near. Is this a big deal? I have had other eye exams in which stereopsis was 20 seconds of arc, color vision normal, and 20/20 vision CC (-.75 sph in both eyes). I have never had any eye problems growing up and just got glasses in the last 2-3 years. I have been on 5 ophtho interviews so far, several of which have tested stereopsis and they have all said that I have done fine. In addition, I have never had any problems reading or any symptoms whatsoever from this. Does this mean it could get worse and is this something to worry about at all when it comes to a career in ophtho?

5 programs tested stereopsis? Really? I have my first Ophtho interview coming up. How did they do this?

 

[ophthope]

I had a recent eye exam to fill out one of the papers that a program required in which my optometrist told me I had a small exophoria/hyperphoria at near.

I had programs specifically ask for an eye exam from my Ophthalmologist. I have absolutely no doubt that an Optometrist could do the eye exam needed for these things, but you are applying to Ophthalmology residency programs and it may be prudent to get an Ophthalmologist's exam for any more of these you have to turn in. I think that part of the reason they require these exams is because it proves that someone else in our field has at least seen you as a patient, done a thorough exam, and thinks that you have the visual ability to do everything needed to perform our jobs, which while obviously related is not the same as what Optometrists do. I don't know if it will affect you or not, and this is more for others who are getting exams for various interviews, but go see an Ophthalmologist for these eye exams. Some programs may care.

 

[ophthope]

5 programs tested stereopsis? Really? I have my first Ophtho interview coming up. How did they do this?

 

[fatpigeon2010]

It wasn't all 5 programs, it was 2-3. 1-2 with the fly titmus book pictured above and one with one of those magic eye books. The reason I went to an optometrist was that was more convenient for where I live as the program didn't give me a lot of time to get the form filled out, plus all the stuff on the form was basic stuff I could do as a student, so I figured if I could handle it an optometrist certainly could. I suppose I could try later this month to go get an exam from an ophthalmologist but I'm not sure what it would change since I've never had any symptoms and I have good stereopsis. Any other thoughts?

 

[ophthope]

It wasn't all 5 programs, it was 2-3. 1-2 with the fly titmus book pictured above and one with one of those magic eye books. The reason I went to an optometrist was that was more convenient for where I live as the program didn't give me a lot of time to get the form filled out, plus all the stuff on the form was basic stuff I could do as a student, so I figured if I could handle it an optometrist certainly could. I suppose I could try later this month to go get an exam from an ophthalmologist but I'm not sure what it would change since I've never had any symptoms and I have good stereopsis. Any other thoughts?

Honestly I probably wouldn't go through the hassle of getting another exam. Really this is probably more for other applicants to consider. I double checked the documents I have saved and the one letter that I actually still have on my hard drive said "Ophthalmologist" specifically, so for other applicants just get an exam from an Ophthalmologist so you only have to do it once to cover all programs and don't have to worry at all about it. If having an Optometrist do your exam makes any difference you'll honestly never know because I doubt anyone would say anything about it to you. Someone more involved with selections would have to comment in this thread for you to be sure. It's probably fine and I don't think you need to be worried about it at all, it's just not optimal if you're trying to only do one eye exam to cover all possible requests from any program.

Also - they used a magic eye picture to test your stereo? I've never been able to do those things well and my stereo tests just fine. We are talking about the random patterns where you have to focus to infinity and then the image pops out at you, right?

 

[fatpigeon2010]

Honestly I probably wouldn't go through the hassle of getting another exam. Really this is probably more for other applicants to consider. I double checked the documents I have saved and the one letter that I actually still have on my hard drive said "Ophthalmologist" specifically, so for other applicants just get an exam from an Ophthalmologist so you only have to do it once to cover all programs and don't have to worry at all about it. If having an Optometrist do your exam makes any difference you'll honestly never know because I doubt anyone would say anything about it to you. Someone more involved with selections would have to comment in this thread for you to be sure. It's probably fine and I don't think you need to be worried about it at all, it's just not optimal if you're trying to only do one eye exam to cover all possible requests from any program.

Also - they used a magic eye picture to test your stereo? I've never been able to do those things well and my stereo tests just fine. We are talking about the random patterns where you have to focus to infinity and then the image pops out at you, right?

Well I assumed it was to test my stereo, although I guess maybe stereo + concentration? They are different than standard stereo tests because you have to pretty much cross your eyes and look into infinity. I hadn't been able to do them in the past either (though my stereo always tested fine) but luckily during the interview the interviewer gave me some time and I was able to get it on the 2nd or 3rd try - which is what some of the other people that interviewed that day said as well.

 

[RadixLuminogen]

I had a recent eye exam to fill out one of the papers that a program required in which my optometrist told me I had a small exophoria/hyperphoria at near. Is this a big deal?Does this mean it could get worse and is this something to worry about at all when it comes to a career in ophtho?

Doesn't seem like anyone else addressed your question directly. Small phorias are generally no problem. 0-2 prism diopters of exophoria at distance and 0-6 prism diopters of exophoria at near (40 cm.) are considered within normal limits.

A small hyperphoria could sometimes be due to a minuscule head tilt, a very slight difference in the anatomical height of the eyes, or a multitude of other minor issues such as phoropter misalignment that really has no real significance especially since you are asymptomatic. Since your stereopsis and color vision are also completely fine I doubt you will have any real issues, however I am not too keen on Ophthamological residency standards.

If you want some practical advice go try and use a Zeiss Slit Lamp and see if you experience diplopia or not. Also try other models of slit lamps and also try some operating microscopes.

Good luck to you.

-3rd year Optometry Student