3 ms·

When you get your eyes checked for glasses you go to an optometrist. Doesn't matter if it's big box store or a local guy--they have the same credentials. An op

When you get your eyes checked for glasses you go to an optometrist. Doesn't matter if it's big box store or a local guy--they have the same credentials. An ophthalmologist is an MD who specializes in eyes, and that's who you want to go to when you have a more serious problem. 2 completely different things, and not really anything to do with where the optometrist was located.

JoeAltmaier 7y ago
So what were they doing, diagnosing and then saying there was no point in getting a second opinion?
- ghaff 7y ago
  It sounds like a very incompetent optometrist (and if they weren't one, someone basically impersonating one). They're eye specialists after all who go to a 4-year post-undergraduate program, just not M.D. doctors. At a minimum, they should presumably have told your wife to book an appointment with an ophthalmologist immediately.
- unishark 7y ago
  Part of optometrists' job is to check for common eye diseases when they perform eye exams. They can also do a residency to specialize in various eye diseases. For example an optometrist can actually get licensed to do laser treatments for macular degeneration.
- megablast 7y ago
  Who knows since we only have second hand info here.
SkyPuncher 7y ago
Don't fully agree with this. My last pair of glasses was from a local place that was an ophthalmologist.
- sithadmin 7y ago
  It's pretty common for opthamologists to fill gaps in their schedule with general optometry type visits, and sell corrective eyewear for profitability reasons. The exams are quick and straightforward, and the margins on frames, lenses and contacts are pretty decent.
- learc83 7y ago
  Yes an ophthalmologist can do that, but it's not their primary function. The vast majority of times you go get a lens prescription, you're going to an optometrist.
dsfyu404ed 7y ago
Yes, but the big box store likely has a fresh grad for the same reason that the local Jiffy Lube has the new tech and Swift has the new driver and Applebees has the new chef. These high margin low volume chains hire the bare minimum of professional (in their industry) and it's where the bare minimum goes to gain experience and put a few years of work on their resume so they can become something better and get a better job. These entry level employers tend to be slave drivers so once people have the experience under their belt to get a better job they generally do. If you have a routine thing that needs to be done then these places work great because you're not paying for unnecessarily skilled labor. If you have something odd a more skilled professional is usually advisable.
- learc83 7y ago
  None of this is true for pharmacists, so I'm not sure why it would be true for optometrists.

JoeAltmaier 7y ago

So what were they doing, diagnosing and then saying there was no point in getting a second opinion?

ghaff 7y ago
It sounds like a very incompetent optometrist (and if they weren't one, someone basically impersonating one). They're eye specialists after all who go to a 4-year post-undergraduate program, just not M.D. doctors. At a minimum, they should presumably have told your wife to book an appointment with an ophthalmologist immediately.
unishark 7y ago
Part of optometrists' job is to check for common eye diseases when they perform eye exams. They can also do a residency to specialize in various eye diseases. For example an optometrist can actually get licensed to do laser treatments for macular degeneration.
megablast 7y ago
Who knows since we only have second hand info here.

SkyPuncher 7y ago

Don't fully agree with this. My last pair of glasses was from a local place that was an ophthalmologist.

sithadmin 7y ago
It's pretty common for opthamologists to fill gaps in their schedule with general optometry type visits, and sell corrective eyewear for profitability reasons. The exams are quick and straightforward, and the margins on frames, lenses and contacts are pretty decent.
learc83 7y ago
Yes an ophthalmologist can do that, but it's not their primary function. The vast majority of times you go get a lens prescription, you're going to an optometrist.

dsfyu404ed 7y ago

Yes, but the big box store likely has a fresh grad for the same reason that the local Jiffy Lube has the new tech and Swift has the new driver and Applebees has the new chef. These high margin low volume chains hire the bare minimum of professional (in their industry) and it's where the bare minimum goes to gain experience and put a few years of work on their resume so they can become something better and get a better job. These entry level employers tend to be slave drivers so once people have the experience under their belt to get a better job they generally do. If you have a routine thing that needs to be done then these places work great because you're not paying for unnecessarily skilled labor. If you have something odd a more skilled professional is usually advisable.

learc83 7y ago
None of this is true for pharmacists, so I'm not sure why it would be true for optometrists.