The optometrists are at it again!

[Taurus]

http://capwiz.com/osma/issues/alert/?alertid=9762651&queueid=1198562156

OSMA LEGISLATIVE ALERT

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL STATE REPRESENTATIVE


The Ohio Optometric Association has introduced H.B. 149 that dramatically expands an optometrist’s scope of practice. The House Health Committee will be hearing opponent testimony next week (the Ohio Ophthalmological Society, the OSMA and several other specialty societies are opposing the bill). We need all OSMA members to contact their local representative immediately asking them to oppose H.B. 149 in its current form.

We have drafted a letter that you can send to your local representative by filling in the information below.

Thank you in advance for contacting your local representative.

Key provision of H.B. 149 are listed below:

· Eliminates the oral drug formulary
Optometrists would be allowed to prescribe oral drugs with little or no oversight, including oral narcotics (schedule IV and V) and oral steroids. Under this new provision, only schedule III narcotics would be subject to any review. The existing formulary system, using the rulemaking process, allows ophthalmology, optometry, the medical board and the pharmacy board to work collectively in the interest of Ohio’s citizens to ensure the oral medications being prescribed are appropriate and needed to provide the best optometric care. While we are open to discussing mechanisms to expedite the process of adding drugs to the formulary, we believe it is not good medicine to eliminate it entirely.

· Eliminates the restriction on only treating the anterior segment of the eye
Optometrists would be allowed to use any medications to treat conditions related to any part of the human eye. Most general ophthalmologists do not use medications to treat the posterior segment of the human eye. They refer such complications to an ophthalmologist who is a retina specialist.

· Creation of a system that allows for exceptions to the ban on invasive procedures (surgery)
The optometric practice act would contain a newly created area for exceptions to the prohibition on doing invasive procedures (surgery). Initially, optometrists could give injections for counteracting anaphylasix or an anaphylactic reaction or for the testing of glucose levels in an individual’s blood. There is little if any need for these exceptions to provide quality optometric care and the language creates a mechanism for easy expansion into significant surgical procedures in the near future.

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Members don't see this ad.

 

[iblis12]

This will not stop. Optometric scope will continue to be modified to reflect the training received in their education. I'm going to give ophthalmology some free advice, Look at what happened in New Mexico. The scope was expanded, and a large factor was this;

“The offensive belligerent media campaign waged by the American Academy of Ophthalmology also worked to our advantage,” Dr. Jarrell said.
He noted that “most of the lawmakers were put off by the negative ads and some were outright offended (see related story).
One lawmaker from Albuquerque, Rep. Kathy McCoy (R), was quoted by the Associated Press: “If I was ever wavering on this at any point, I think the… basic marketing and hatchet job that the ophthalmologists did on the optometrists pushed me over.”



Something to think about.

 

[IndianaOD]

http://capwiz.com/osma/issues/alert/?alertid=9762651&queueid=1198562156

OSMA LEGISLATIVE ALERT

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL STATE REPRESENTATIVE


The Ohio Optometric Association has introduced H.B. 149 that dramatically expands an optometrist’s scope of practice. The House Health Committee will be hearing opponent testimony next week (the Ohio Ophthalmological Society, the OSMA and several other specialty societies are opposing the bill). We need all OSMA members to contact their local representative immediately asking them to oppose H.B. 149 in its current form.

We have drafted a letter that you can send to your local representative by filling in the information below.

Thank you in advance for contacting your local representative.

Key provision of H.B. 149 are listed below:

· Eliminates the oral drug formulary
Optometrists would be allowed to prescribe oral drugs with little or no oversight, including oral narcotics (schedule IV and V) and oral steroids. Under this new provision, only schedule III narcotics would be subject to any review. The existing formulary system, using the rulemaking process, allows ophthalmology, optometry, the medical board and the pharmacy board to work collectively in the interest of Ohio’s citizens to ensure the oral medications being prescribed are appropriate and needed to provide the best optometric care. While we are open to discussing mechanisms to expedite the process of adding drugs to the formulary, we believe it is not good medicine to eliminate it entirely.

· Eliminates the restriction on only treating the anterior segment of the eye
Optometrists would be allowed to use any medications to treat conditions related to any part of the human eye. Most general ophthalmologists do not use medications to treat the posterior segment of the human eye. They refer such complications to an ophthalmologist who is a retina specialist.

· Creation of a system that allows for exceptions to the ban on invasive procedures (surgery)
The optometric practice act would contain a newly created area for exceptions to the prohibition on doing invasive procedures (surgery). Initially, optometrists could give injections for counteracting anaphylasix or an anaphylactic reaction or for the testing of glucose levels in an individual’s blood. There is little if any need for these exceptions to provide quality optometric care and the language creates a mechanism for easy expansion into significant surgical procedures in the near future.

Ahh, can everyone remember the ophthalmologist holding up the bottle of tropicamide? "Optometrists will kill people with this." Oh wait ODs get more pharmacolgy credits than most MDs.

Its all about money pure and simple, never has been about patient safety. Look at the safety studies of previous OD expansions....spotless.

No need to get worked up, I'm done posting on this thread.

 

[AwesomeSauce]

bah, Michigan optometrists have had all this stuff for a while without incident.

FEARMONGERING! BWWWAAAAAAAAA!

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

http://capwiz.com/osma/issues/alert/?alertid=9762651&queueid=1198562156



· Eliminates the oral drug formulary
Optometrists would be allowed to prescribe oral drugs with little or no oversight, including oral narcotics (schedule IV and V) and oral steroids. Under this new provision, only schedule III narcotics would be subject to any review. The existing formulary system, using the rulemaking process, allows ophthalmology, optometry, the medical board and the pharmacy board to work collectively in the interest of Ohio’s citizens to ensure the oral medications being prescribed are appropriate and needed to provide the best optometric care. While we are open to discussing mechanisms to expedite the process of adding drugs to the formulary, we believe it is not good medicine to eliminate it entirely.

ODs where I'm from can already Rx schedule III. I won't claim to know enough to comment on oral steroids.

· Eliminates the restriction on only treating the anterior segment of the eye
Optometrists would be allowed to use any medications to treat conditions related to any part of the human eye. Most general ophthalmologists do not use medications to treat the posterior segment of the human eye. They refer such complications to an ophthalmologist who is a retina specialist.

Likewise I suspect that ODs wouldn't do anything they were not comfortable with. And if they do, some trial lawyer will make his fortune on it.

· Creation of a system that allows for exceptions to the ban on invasive procedures (surgery)
The optometric practice act would contain a newly created area for exceptions to the prohibition on doing invasive procedures (surgery). Initially, optometrists could give injections for counteracting anaphylasix or an anaphylactic reaction or for the testing of glucose levels in an individual’s blood. There is little if any need for these exceptions to provide quality optometric care and the language creates a mechanism for easy expansion into significant surgical procedures in the near future.

I think epi pins are a great thing to have about in a non-hospital setting no matter what sort of health care you provide. Overall I would say glucose testing probably isn't needed. But every so often you'll run across a patient with undiagnosed diabetes who refuses to see a PCP. Gets tricky there I think.

That all said, thanks for posting. As a medical student I don't really ever get any of these political action notices, nice to be kept in the loop.

 

[futuredoctorOD]

Good. And I hope they succeed so all the eye doctors who are optometrists in that state will be able to practice within the scope of their training!
What a novel concept? huh? One word of advice to organized ophthalmology in ohio-----refrain from the unprofessional smear tactics used in New Mexico by ophthalmology-----it just looked desperate and unprofessional---ultimately it backfired. Good luck to the Ohio Optometric Asscociation and bill HB. 149.........OD's make sure you support your PAC!

 

[KHE]

Good. And I hope they succeed so all the eye doctors who are optometrists in that state will be able to practice within the scope of their training!
What a novel concept? huh? One word of advice to organized ophthalmology in ohio-----refrain from the unprofessional smear tactics used in New Mexico by ophthalmology-----it just looked desperate and unprofessional---ultimately it backfired. Good luck to the Ohio Optometric Asscociation and bill HB. 149.........OD's make sure you support your PAC!

What a useless post. That serves nothing but to raise tensions and start yet another in a long list of flame wars.

If you are a "futredoctorOD" then I would respectfully suggest you keep your opinions on these issues to yourself until you have been out of school for a couple of years because you don't have anywhere close to an adequate frame of reference to understand what the heck it is you are talking about.

Your posting history suggests that you have reappears out of the woodwork after a nearly 2 year absence (or posting under another ID) but the only thing you have done with your return is start up with more limp, unproductive rhetoric. Two thumbs way way down.

 

[futuredoctorOD]

I support the profession........that is all I have to say.





Thumbs up to IndianaOD for his/her honest and realistic posts.

 

[Ben Chudner]

I support the profession........that is all I have to say.

Some of us believe supporting the profession includes finding ways to work with ophthalmologists rather than provoke them. Your post adds nothing new to the thread.

 

[speyeder]

Some of us believe supporting the profession includes finding ways to work with ophthalmologists rather than provoke them. Your post adds nothing new to the thread.

We need more cooperation and less rhetoric from both sides.

 

[rubensan]

Good. And I hope they succeed so all the eye doctors who are optometrists in that state will be able to practice within the scope of their training!
What a novel concept? huh? One word of advice to organized ophthalmology in ohio-----refrain from the unprofessional smear tactics used in New Mexico by ophthalmology-----it just looked desperate and unprofessional---ultimately it backfired. Good luck to the Ohio Optometric Asscociation and bill HB. 149.........OD's make sure you support your PAC!

true furturedoctorOD, the adds were negative. however, those (ODs and MDs) closest to the issue believe that the real reason the new mexico bill passed in favor of the optometrists was the fact that ODs contributed more money to key politicians in that state, including the governor and current US presidential hopeful. i think the lesson that ophthalmologists learned in new mexico was that educating the public including what is posted on this forum will do little to determine the fate of ohio and california. what really matters is how much political leverage each group has. sad really. ophthalmology and optometry are amassing huge sums of $ in their respective arsenals to continue this turf war. meanwhile, politicians are getting fat on our PAC $ and ultimately dictating the fate of doctors of optometry and ophthalmology. can you not see the logic in working together to advance and protect both professions?

 

[futuredoctorOD]

I don't disagree that a resonable course of action can be taken by both sides to secure a uniform scope of practice for optometry nationwide and make sure that invasive oclular surgery is performed my only surgeons (I mean real surgery not YAGS, foreign body removal, punctal plugs, certain injections, etc!)

A) Any primary eye care procedures that should be done by a doctor of optometry or general ophthalmologist. Optometrists already provide 80% of primary eye care rendered. This includes:
(courtesy of IndianaOD)
1. Able to Rx all topical medications as relates to the eye and adnexa
2. Able to Rx all oral medications as relates to conditions of the eye and adnexa
3. No descrimination of insurance access
4. FB removal, removal or injection of chalzion and other benign lesions, stromal micropuncture, NLDO probing under 25 lbs or so, flouresceine angiography
5. After 1 year of advanced laser/disease residency if you choose: YAG, (PIs), PRP, Focal/grid, intraocular injections.

All of this is within the training capabilities of OD's especailly the education that is being offered now.

B) Ocular Surgery will be rendered ONLY by ophthalmologists OR (in the future) optometrists with a 4 year residency designed for it.-----Dr. Doan suggested this many moons ago. There should be a pathway not unlike the OMFS pathway for the 2% or less of OD's who would want to go this route.
I HOPE OMD POSTERS READ THIS WITH AN OPEN MIND. remember Podiatry has 3 and 4 year post doctorate surgical residencies, Oral Surgeons have mostly 4 year residencies (80+ percent of them do not earn an MD in this process).
This way invasive ocular surgery stays 98% in the realm of ophthalmology, optometrists don't have to fight to prescribe glaucoma drugs in New York when you can drive to several other states and OD's can prescribe Systemic Meds. The history of medicine as an organized political entity has never been one that is cooperative. DO's were considered a "cult" 25 years ago, chiropractic had to get a permanent injunction in Wilk vs AMA in 1987 to prevent monopolistic practices by the AMA against Doctors of Chiropractic, 30 years of legal battles state by state by optometry with ophthalmology have lead to what optometry is today. History does not indicate a "cooperative" demeanor at the political level regarding medcine and its relationship with other clinical doctorate fields. When it boils down to it, politics, turf, financial reward rule the day and we cannot forget that optometry and ophthalmology are businesses no different than aviation, automotive industry, architecture, engineering, etc....Competition is a good thing benefiting the consumer (patients in the case of eye care.) I agree that a cooperative atmosphere is important in the future. My family ophthalmologist and optometrist work together and have a phenomenal practice. The OD does all of the primary eye care--->eye exams, prescribing meds to treat primary eye disease (oral and topical), glasses, contacts, pre-post op care. The MD does cataract, lasik, and oculoplastics. The relationship is lucrative and very mutually beneficial. Growing up I only saw the Doctor of Optometry because I never had a surgical problem. When I shadowed both of them before I applied to optometry school I had a chance to really talk about "the business "with them and found that they really admire and respect each other. This is the business relationship I hope to have in the future.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

If you are concerned about scope expansion and disagree with optometry's push, then give to Ophthpac every year and the surgical scope fund:

http://www.aao.org/aao/advocacy/ophthpac/contributions.cfm

Give money every year and you'll fund people within the AAO to continue the fight. Politics is about money and votes. Give your money and write to your congress rep and senators.

 

[futuredoctorOD]

For those who support optometrists being able to practice within the scope of their training in ohio. Send donations to the Ohio Optometric Association

http://www.ooa.org/

And for general American Optometric Association Causes send donations to the AOA-PAC

http://www.aoa.org/x4827.xml


Thank you.

 

[GuP]

For those who support optometrists being able to practice within the scope of their training in ohio. Send donations to the Ohio Optometric Association

http://www.ooa.org/

And for general American Optometric Association Causes send donations to the AOA-PAC

http://www.aoa.org/x4827.xml


Thank you.

Shouldn't this be in the optometry forums? Or are you just being childish and imitating Dr. Doan?

 

[PDT4CNV]

I don't disagree that a resonable course of action can be taken by both sides to secure a uniform scope of practice for optometry nationwide and make sure that invasive oclular surgery is performed my only surgeons (I mean real surgery not YAGS, foreign body removal, punctal plugs, certain injections, etc!)

A) Any primary eye care procedures that should be done by a doctor of optometry or general ophthalmologist. Optometrists already provide 80% of primary eye care rendered. This includes:
(courtesy of IndianaOD)
1. Able to Rx all topical medications as relates to the eye and adnexa
2. Able to Rx all oral medications as relates to conditions of the eye and adnexa
3. No descrimination of insurance access
4. FB removal, removal or injection of chalzion and other benign lesions, stromal micropuncture, NLDO probing under 25 lbs or so, flouresceine angiography
5. After 1 year of advanced laser/disease residency if you choose: YAG, (PIs), PRP, Focal/grid, intraocular injections.

All of this is within the training capabilities of OD's especailly the education that is being offered now.

B) Ocular Surgery will be rendered ONLY by ophthalmologists OR (in the future) optometrists with a 4 year residency designed for it.-----Dr. Doan suggested this many moons ago. There should be a pathway not unlike the OMFS pathway for the 2% or less of OD's who would want to go this route.
I HOPE OMD POSTERS READ THIS WITH AN OPEN MIND. remember Podiatry has 3 and 4 year post doctorate surgical residencies, Oral Surgeons have mostly 4 year residencies (80+ percent of them do not earn an MD in this process).
This way invasive ocular surgery stays 98% in the realm of ophthalmology, optometrists don't have to fight to prescribe glaucoma drugs in New York when you can drive to several other states and OD's can prescribe Systemic Meds. The history of medicine as an organized political entity has never been one that is cooperative. DO's were considered a "cult" 25 years ago, chiropractic had to get a permanent injunction in Wilk vs AMA in 1987 to prevent monopolistic practices by the AMA against Doctors of Chiropractic, 30 years of legal battles state by state by optometry with ophthalmology have lead to what optometry is today. History does not indicate a "cooperative" demeanor at the political level regarding medcine and its relationship with other clinical doctorate fields. When it boils down to it, politics, turf, financial reward rule the day and we cannot forget that optometry and ophthalmology are businesses no different than aviation, automotive industry, architecture, engineering, etc....Competition is a good thing benefiting the consumer (patients in the case of eye care.) I agree that a cooperative atmosphere is important in the future. My family ophthalmologist and optometrist work together and have a phenomenal practice. The OD does all of the primary eye care--->eye exams, prescribing meds to treat primary eye disease (oral and topical), glasses, contacts, pre-post op care. The MD does cataract, lasik, and oculoplastics. The relationship is lucrative and very mutually beneficial. Growing up I only saw the Doctor of Optometry because I never had a surgical problem. When I shadowed both of them before I applied to optometry school I had a chance to really talk about "the business "with them and found that they really admire and respect each other. This is the business relationship I hope to have in the future.

If you want to practice medicine or do surgery, then go to medical school and do a residency. You will not find a single physician in this forum who agrees with any of the shortcuts you propose.

Sorry, but you are in the ophthalmology forum, and I doubt you will find an ophthalmologist who agrees that practicing medicine or performing surgery is within optometry scope of practice. You can post all day, but it doesn't make it true, and you are wasting your time.

 

[Frumps]

Ocular Surgery will be rendered ONLY by ophthalmologists OR (in the future) optometrists with a 4 year residency designed for it.-----Dr. Doan suggested this many moons ago. There should be a pathway not unlike the OMFS pathway for the 2% or less of OD's who would want to go this route. I HOPE OMD POSTERS READ THIS WITH AN OPEN MIND.

Just out of curiosity futuredoctorOD, would your proposed 4 year residency include an internship year as the MDs do.

I can see it now...

Hi, I'm Dr. OD and I'm here to manage your COPD, or DKA, or MI, deliver your baby, etc.

Patient: Do you know what you're doing?

Well, umm, no, but I did stay at a holiday inn once!

OK, ok. sorry for the childish response, but I think we all agree that it is unecessary to etablish another route into ophthalmology. I don't see why optometrists are not happy doing what they signed up for AND I have yet to hear a valid argument for why they should be allowed surgical priveledges.

It's a shame that we are wasting valuable money on these issues when they could be put to other causes.

 

[rubensan]

Ocular Surgery will be rendered ONLY by ophthalmologists OR (in the future) optometrists with a 4 year residency designed for it.-----Dr. Doan suggested this many moons ago. There should be a pathway not unlike the OMFS pathway for the 2% or less of OD's who would want to go this route.... When it boils down to it, politics, turf, financial reward rule the day and we cannot forget that optometry and ophthalmology are businesses no different than aviation, automotive industry, architecture, engineering, etc....Competition is a good thing benefiting the consumer (patients in the case of eye care.)

in theory, the extra OD route to becoming an ophthalmic surgeon appears inocuous. however, one question to which i have has yet to receive an answer: is there a need for more ophthalmic surgeons in this country? or is all this rhetoric about fighting for a bigger peice of the pie that is getting smaller?

 

[speyeder]

For those who support optometrists being able to practice within the scope of their training in ohio. Send donations to the Ohio Optometric Association

http://www.ooa.org/

And for general American Optometric Association Causes send donations to the AOA-PAC

http://www.aoa.org/x4827.xml


Thank you.

It's pretty obvious this person is trying to bait those of us in the ophthalmology forum. Ignoring him or her is the best response.

 

[futuredoctorOD]

PDT4CNV,

You and I both know that you along with others from the ophthalmology forum have posted on the optometry forum. They should just combine the ophthalmology and optometry forum because everyone posts back and forth OR forbid cross-posting. You in particular have derided optometrists as "inferior" and "unqualified". You are hostile and disrespectful. I plan on learning as much from ophthalmology as I can over the next couple years-->cooperatively with the OMD's that I interact with who have no problem with OD's having access to procedures and a drug formulary that is well within their training. I am not trying to insight any kind of response from you or any other OMD posters rather I am just being honest about what my opinion is. Take it for what it is.


I am done posting on this thread.....good day

 

[ODhopeful]

in theory, the extra OD route to becoming an ophthalmic surgeon appears inocuous. however, one question to which i have has yet to receive an answer: is there a need for more ophthalmic surgeons in this country? or is all this rhetoric about fighting for a bigger peice of the pie that is getting smaller?

I think you hit it right on the head... Kinda like how OMDs didn't sell glasses or CL for the most part b4, but due to decreased reimbursements, alot of them are selling glasses/CL to make up the diff. which eats into ODs income, so in turn ODs wanna do stuff the OMDs do the get some of the loss income from glasses/CL sells back. Vicious cycle if u ask me..

 

[7ontheline]

I think you hit it right on the head... Kinda like how OMDs didn't sell glasses or CL for the most part b4, but due to decreased reimbursements, alot of them are selling glasses/CL to make up the diff. which eats into ODs income, so in turn ODs wanna do stuff the OMDs do the get some of the loss income from glasses/CL sells back. Vicious cycle if u ask me..

Except that OMDs are trained to prescribe glasses and CLs. ODs aren't trained for surgery. So it's not really the same.

 

[PBEA]

Except that OMDs are trained to prescribe glasses and CLs. ODs aren't trained for surgery. So it's not really the same.

You actually believe that there are ODs out there in practice performing procedures that they were not trained for? Wow, you really are confused. Please dont post on topics that you are clearly ill informed about. You might spread your confusion to others.

 

[ODhopeful]

Except that OMDs are trained to prescribe glasses and CLs. ODs aren't trained for surgery. So it's not really the same.

True, but I think for ODs and OMDs to coexist, OMDs gotta let us make some money, I mean, since u guys are doing all the surgery and stuff that pays big bucks, why not just let us sell our glasses and contacts. Even if OMDs don't sell materials, they'll still make more than ODs by far. Commercial entities have taken lots of material sales aways from us already, so when OMDs sell them too, we lost a big part of our income. This is why some ODs are suggesting surgical rights. All I'm saying is, let us sell our glasses/CL and we refer u all surgeries and pathologies that we can't handle with confidence, everyone should be happy then. Less fighting anyways.

 

[JR]

This is the first truthful statement in this whole discussion .

 

[7ontheline]

PBEA,

I don't know why I'm bothering to respond to your offensive, trolling posts, but I suppose I can't help trying to defend myself. If you'll read my post and the post I responded to nowhere did I suggest that ODs are off performing surgery somewhere. All I said was that OMDs are trained to prescribe glasses and CLs, which is why many are doing so and selling glasses. ODs are not trained in surgery, which is why their push for surgical rights is different. They want something they are not currently prepared for. Now go away. Insult me when I say something stupid, not when you don't bother to read the posts.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

If you want to practice medicine or do surgery, then go to medical school and do a residency. You will not find a single physician in this forum who agrees with any of the shortcuts you propose.

Sorry, but you are in the ophthalmology forum, and I doubt you will find an ophthalmologist who agrees that practicing medicine or performing surgery is within optometry scope of practice. You can post all day, but it doesn't make it true, and you are wasting your time.

I'd like a definition of "practicing medicine", because it seems to me that much of what ODs are doing nowadays could fall under that.

 

[IndianaOD]

PBEA,

I don't know why I'm bothering to respond to your offensive, trolling posts, but I suppose I can't help trying to defend myself. If you'll read my post and the post I responded to nowhere did I suggest that ODs are off performing surgery somewhere. All I said was that OMDs are trained to prescribe glasses and CLs, which is why many are doing so and selling glasses. ODs are not trained in surgery, which is why their push for surgical rights is different. They want something they are not currently prepared for. Now go away. Insult me when I say something stupid, not when you don't bother to read the posts.

This goes both ways. OMDs are as well trained in refraction and contact lenses as ODs are in vitrectomies. Most OMDs that I know don't touch a refractor or CLs. They have a tech doing most of that (which is actually illegal in some states but not prosecuted). ODs are better at primary care than OMDs PERIOD. Based not only on training and education, but by what they do day in and day out.

How are you guys not over on the dental and podiatry forums screaming: "YOU DIDN'T GO TO MED SCHOOL AND YOU'RE DOING SURGERY!". I'm surprised anyone survives a trip to the dentist or podiatrist. You all must nearly faint when a podiatrist's scalpel touches intact epidermis or a dentist's drill starts tearing into enamel.

Binocular vision problems are clinically far more common that ocular disease and have a huge impact on patients' lives.

Its been a long haitus from the ophthalmology forums, good to see the incessant rhetoric never stops. Go cut something and feel good about yourselves .

 

[eyestrain]

I should point out that this thread was pretty much dead until our very own futuredoctorOD got things started again by telling optometrists to support their PACs. Thanks again, futuredoctorOD

 

[futuredoctorOD]

I just could not resist. You couldn't have said it any better. The fact is just as
VA Hopeful just pointed out, many responsibilites and tasks performed by General Ophthalmologists and General Optometrists are analagous. These include:

1) Diagnosis of eye disease
2) Creating a treatment plan
3) Prescribing medications to treat eye disease, Prescribing medical devices such as contact lenses, spectacles, etc....(although OD's are vastly superior in this regard to the poorly trained techs that perform this function in many OMD offices)
4) Both are responsible for their actions and can be held accountable in a court of law for mistakes. ergo both have complete AUTONOMY

optometrists perform all the basic functions of a family practice physician IN THE REALM of eye care. That equates to being a primary care eye doctor. Folks such as PDT4CNV have a problem with the fact that in their minds it is unfair that other professions such as optometry, dentistry, and podiatry have the same tools available to them as physicians. In minds like his and a relative of mine (who is a orthopaedic surgeon) they feel that medical school is vastly superior to anything else out there and therefore leads them to a place "in their minds" which is at the pinnacle of health care.
One example that IndianaOD mentioned, Podiatric Medicine is baffling to me. These are Physicians that are trained in medicine and surgery for the lower extremity and have mandatory 2 year combined medical-surgical residency, or a 3 year surgical residency, or a 4 year orthopaedic surgical residency. 7-8 years of triaining, operating in the OR all the time, and administering anesthesia--meds---etc. Yet folks such as PDT4CNV would have you believe that a DPM (Doctor of Podiatic Medicine) is NOT a surgeon or even a physician. This makes me laugh because the only reason why folks like PDT4CNV think this way is because they are missing one thing------------------> MD (or now after years of scrutiny, DO). OMFS( 80% of them), DPM's, General Dentists, do not have MD's! This argument is never going to have a resolution. The minute an optometrist is prescribing a new systemic medication (safely I might add) some OMD's are up in arms----> just like when they claimed in the early 70's that OD's would blind patients with atropine----Well that along with every claim made by ophthalmology has proven to be ridiculous. OD's have a very safe prescribing record (I can generate info for this if someone wants it.) OD's only want what they have already been educated to do.

I have an idea!

Optometry + Ophthalmology = Ophthaltometry maybe I should start a new program in 15 years! lol
The degree earned will be MOD , Doctor of Ophthaltometric Medicine......
I am sorry I just find this amusing because OD's and OMD's are both great professions.