some questions...

[brighteyes5555]

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1) what is it like to work with an ophthalmologist? pros/cons?

2) generally, HMO pros/cons/how to get into one...etc.

3) what is the most difficult thing facing new optometrists?

 

[Dr Gump]

1) what is it like to work with an ophthalmologist? pros/cons?

2) generally, HMO pros/cons/how to get into one...etc.

3) what is the most difficult thing facing new optometrists?

I'll take a stab at your questions.

1) Working with an Ophthalmologist can be rewarding and demeaning. Rewarding in the respect that you get to see and manage lots of pathology that you would not typically care for in today's common Optometric office.
Demeaning in the respect that some Ophthalmologists treat employee Optometrists like glorified techs. Your decision making skills are slightly ******ed because you are expected to be the refraction engine, not the medical manager.
This will vary widely, like any other JOB. Private practice is better in my opinion.

2) HMO panels are rather difficult to get onto, unless you live in an area of need. Most HMO's are medically related and would choose an Ophthalmologist over an Optometrist every day of the week...for obvious reasons. HMO's tend to pay less than common major medical insurance so it is no great loss not to be included in their panels.

3) The most difficult thing for new Optometrists is finding their way in the jungle. Many are disoriented by all the minutia taught in Optometry school and the stark reality of getting paid for your services. Insurances, employers, bankers, loan officers, patients, rival Optometrists, rival Ophthalmologists, etc. Lots to consider. Not cut and dried.

You need to find your niche, work hard, stick to it for a few years, learn from your mistakes and you will succeed. It will not be handed to you. Your parents won't be there to do it for you. Time to grow up and handle the real and unfriendly world.

Hopefully I have answered your questions adequately. If you have more, feel free to PM me or ask here for all to see.

Good luck with your decision. I think Optometry is a great profession with a bright future. We must adapt, however.

Dr. Gump

 

[OptUSA]

The Unique Value of Optometric Eye Care
Optometric Physicians (Optometrists, Doctors of Optometry) are the primary care eye doctors in the United States examining, diagnosing and treating more eye and vision patients and problems than any other profession. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic and neurological conditions affecting the eye.

Traditionally the profession of Optometry is the eye care discipline that focused on preventative eye care with specialization in visually related eye disorders as differentiated from its sister profession of ophthalmology which in modern times are allopathic and osteopathic medical doctors specializing in various aspects of eye surgery.

Optometric Physicians (Optometrists) are the eye doctors who practice under a specialty license rather than a general medical license. Doctors of Optometry are specifically required by law to practice eye care at the same standards of care as physicians licensed at the general medical level, and in addition the law adds specific specialty based practice requirements.

Optometry has the unique distinction of being the only traditionally university based and trained health profession other than Clinical Psychology which essentially practices a medical specialty under a specialty license rather than a general medical license. In contrast, within the United States allopathic (MD) medical specialists are not specifically licensed to practice their specialty but are legally licensed by each state only under a general medical license.

Optometry's longstanding and traditional educational and research base within some of America's finest universities has been the secret to its history of excellence in eye care and its ability to maintain its unique position as a direct alternative to an allopathic medical specialty.
Within the United States, Optometry is the independent health care profession that is the closest direct alternative to a traditional allopathic medical area of specialization (Medical Ophthalmology). No other profession has as similar an area and scope of practice as an allopathic medical specialty.

The unique value of Optometric eye care is therefore based on the fact that Optometric Eye Physicians are the only doctors specifically trained and licensed to practice eyecare as a specialty at the legally defined physician standard of care as apposed to licensure at the general medical practice level. The uniqueness of Optometric care lies in this specific specialty level licensure where detailed requirements for education, practice and specific standards of care are set by statutory law, as apposed to general medical licensure which cannot and does not statutorily set specific educational and practice requirements for specialists. For example, when treating a glaucoma patient or other major eye disorder State statutes specifically require Doctors of Optometry to have certain educational requirements and equipment, and perform specific tests and procedures in the treatment and care of such patients. General medical licensure does not protect the public with such specificity.
The precise nature of the specialty licensure better protects and ensures that the public receives a uniform level and quality of care from more uniformly trained eye doctors. This level of quality control is not available under a general medical licensure standard where specialists practice under only a general medical license obtained before specialty training and which obviously cannot, and do not, adequately ensure specific education and care for all the different specialty practices. This is therefore the basis for the unique value in Optometric eye care. It is the only profession which practises what is essentially a medical specialty under a specialty type license and not a general medical license.

To attain this specific level of licensure all Optometric Physicians receive the Doctor of Optometry degree from one of only seventeen (17) Colleges of Optometry located at some of America's finest universities. They must then be specifically Board Certified on both National and State examinations which mandate practice at the physician legal standards of care. Licensure at this specialty level ensures that there is rigorous uniformity in the training of every Optometric Physician, and strict accountable requirements for the care of all patients diagnosed and treated under their care.

In addition, the strict uniformity and standardization in Optometric education and training ensures that all Optometric physicians have the same level of training. In contrast allopathic medical specialty training is widely varied even to the point that a general medical practitioner can effectively practice a specialty without completing a standardized specialty training program.

Doctors of Optometry prescribe medications, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and perform certain surgical procedures. Unlike its sister profession of Ophthalmology which focuses on surgical treatment of eye anomalies, Optometry includes the specialty areas of Developmental Vision, Low Vision, Optometric Vision Therapy and Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation. Traditionally Optometric eye and vision care also favors less invasive, more preventative methods of treatment.

While most Optometric Physicians are primary care eye doctors, there are many who after further training and through formal residency programs practice as specialists in various specialty disciplines.

This is the true and unique value of Optometric care for the consumer of eye and vision care, the only medical specialty practice area with true specialty licensing and strict uniformity of training and care.

 

[IndianaOD]

1) what is it like to work with an ophthalmologist? pros/cons?

2) generally, HMO pros/cons/how to get into one...etc.

3) what is the most difficult thing facing new optometrists?

Most of my colleagues have had positive experiences with OMD employers. The happiest ODs are the ones who are rightly treated as equals and part of the team. Most around here handle all the non-surgical medical cases and pre-post op.

Only a couple have been very unhappy and left that I know of. In our local area though it is the OD friendly OMDs who are thriving and the others not so much.