In skimming this thread I saw a comment that the ophtho (I believe cme2c) feels more comfortable with a PA or NP prescribing oral medication for ocular disease then an OD. I would further conclude that cme2c feels better having a PCP or other non-ophtho MD rxing oral medications for ocular disease. I'd just add my two cents by saying I think the politics of OD vs OMD turf battles are clouding your judgement. There is nary a shred or truth in your comments, and while a PCP et al is certainly more capable at dealing with the host of physical ailments, as compared to an OD, I feel it laughable to compare their ability to diagnose (let alone treat) ANY eye disease with any accuracy, as compared to an OD. I might feel inclined to agree with you, that the OD education leaves something to desired with regard to the application of most oral medications. However, I would just say that the armamentarium of the ave ophtho (oral only) amounts roughly to a bakers dozen, and for the OD it is vanishingly smaller (for which we get considerably more training in treating eye disease then any PA, PCP, etc). As well, I do think there is plenty of safety built into the very conservative approach ODs have to pt care. In short, "to punt or not to punt" based on perfectly obtained pertinent physical findings. This as opposed to the "careful" external observation put forth by the ever empirical PCP approach............give me a break. Their only defense being incidence and prevalence, or put another way, there is no defense. Of course, in the court of law their defense is ironclad, it's called the "standard of care". For the PCP treating an "eye problem", that loosely translates to they don't actually need to know what they are treating or perform any of the confimatory tests required of ophtho's and ODs. Instead they can treat anything that simply appears "minor", without actually knowing that it is. That is one sweet deal!!!, and a hell of a double standard.😡
If you think you can argue against the OD while turning the cheek with regard to NPs, PCPs, etc, then it is clear that you have ALOT more learning ahead.
batter up?