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Optometrist: A state licensed Doctor
of Optometry (O.D.) educated and trained to detect the presence of vision
abnormalities.
May:
-
examine eyes
-
measure visual acuity and visual fields
-
provide vision therapy (e.g. eye muscle
coordination exercises)
-
prescribe corrective lenses (e.g. glasses,
contacts, other optical aids)
Must:
refer a patient to an ophthalmologist
or other physician when medical intervention is indicated
Cannot:
-
prescribe drugs
-
perform surgery or laser surgery
Therapeutic Optometrist:
holds additional license having completed
Optometrist supplemental academic and clinical
courses in pharmacology and related pathology.
May:
-
provide all services of an Optometrist or Therapeutic
Optometrist, plus
-
prescribe topical pharmaceutical agents (other than
antiviral and glaucoma agents) for the purpose of diagnosing and
treating visual defects, abnormal conditions and diseases of the anterior
chamber and ocular adnexa
-
may remove superficial matter and eyelashes from
the external eye or adnexa
If use of topical steroids of strength of 1% concentration
do not substantially improve a condition within 7 days, ophthalmological
consultation and medical treatment regimen is required.
Cannot:
-
prescribe drugs classified as controlled
substances
-
perform surgery or laser surgery
Ophthalmologist: A state licensed Doctor
of Medicine (M.D.) who specializes in diagnosis, treatment and surgery
for diseases of the eye.
May provide all services of an Optometrist
or Therapeutic Optometrist, plus:
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diagnose and treat medical eye diseases
-
perform surgery, laser surgery and provide
related care
-
prescribe any and all drugs
Acknowledged Sources: Information gleaned mainly
from two sources:
1. Eye Medical Training Manual
of the Texas Commission for the Blind
2. The American Foundation
for the Blind's "Low Vision Questions and Answers"
TERMINOLOGY COMMONLY USED IN
EYE REPORTS:
OS: left eye
OD: right eye
OU: both eyes
LP: light perception
CF: counts fingers (connotes ability to
distinguish objects as distinctive entities, as opposed to only being able
to distinguish shadows, colors, etc.)
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