Small Victory After long-Running Warfare Between Optometrists and Ophthalmologists
After a dozen years of legal and legislative wrangling, optometrists now can give injections to treat eyelid cysts.
As many as 11 states allow optometrists to perform injections now, but in 1977, North Carolina became among the first to allow optometrists to write prescriptions and now every state does.
Basic differences between optometrists and ophthalmologists :
• Optometrists have doctoral degrees in optometry but are not physicians. They can diagnose vision disorders and prescribe glasses and some medication. Optometrists are more numerous than ophthalmologists and more likely to be a primary-care provider for a patient.• Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize in the eye and can perform surgery. Many patients are referred to them by other doctors.
New procedures for optometrists at a glance :
• Periocular injection for a cyst. If an eyelid cyst cannot be treated by moist heat or oral medication, a steroid injection is often administered. Optometrists now can administer this shot, once they receive certification.
• Fluorescent dye injection. The state Medical Board has approved optometrists giving this shot, which allows the optometrist to examine blood flow in the eye. Optometrists in North Carolina will not be certified for this procedure for several months.
Filed under Eye Treatment
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