SamuelPesnerOD's Blog

Refractive Conditions

samuelpesnerod — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:04:57 +0000

   Refractive conditions are the reasons people need vision correction. These include Hyperopia, Myopia, Astigmatism and Presbyopia, plus Emmetropia.
   Emmetropia means no prescription, which implies no need for correction. That’s what we all wish we had.
   Hyperopia (farsightedness; longsightedness) occurs when the length of the eye is too short. Depending on the amount of hyperopia and age, a person may need no correction at all, or help with near vision but not far (hence the name farsightness) or a prescription near and far both.
   Myopia (nearsightedness; longsightedness) results from a long eye, producing blur at far and clear near vision, also dependent an amount.
   Astigmatism comes from a Greek word meaning “not round” in which the eye is shaped more like an olive or a spoon rather than perfectly round. This creates blur at all distances and depending on amount, may require correction for far, near or both.
   Presbyopia also comes from the Greek and essentially means “aging eye”. This describes the process whereby everyone slowly loses the ability to focus, beginning in the teen years, usually becoming obvious duing one’s forties and being completely gone by age 55-60. This is why people need reading correction, typically around age 40-50. Often, presbyopia is mistakenly called farsightedness because people can still see far while their near vision diminishes, but that is incorrect – people with hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism all experience presbyopia as they age.

Next time: Forms of vision correction.

The Three O’s

samuelpesnerod — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:06:14 +0000

I attempt to answer the question “Who does what?” in this blog.

The Three O’s

“Doctors of Optometry (ODs) are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.
   Doctors of Optometry prescribe medications, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and perform certain surgical procedures.
   Optometrists counsel their patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options that meet their visual needs related to their occupations, avocations, and lifestyle.
   An optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Some optometrists complete an optional residency in a specific area of practice.
   Optometrists are eye health care professionals state-licensed to diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system.”
          -Approved by the AOA Board of Trustees, June 21, 2005

An Ophthalmologist, also known as an Eye MD, is “a physician (doctor of medicine – MD – or doctor of osteopathy – DO) who specializes in the refractive, medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. The ophthalmologist has completed four or more years of college premedical education, four or more years of medical school and four or more years of residency, including at least three years of residency in ophthalmology. The ophthalmologist is a specialist who is qualified by lengthy medical education, training, and experience to diagnose, treat, and manage all eye and visual system problems and is licensed by a state regulatory board to practice medicine and surgery. The ophthalmologist is the medically trained specialist who can deliver total eye care: primary, secondary and tertiary care services (i.e., vision services, spectacle and contact lens prescriptions, eye examinations, medical eye care and surgical eye care), diagnose general diseases of the body and treat ocular manifestations of systemic diseases.”

-Revised and Approved by: AAO Board of Trustees, October 2005

“Opticians specialize in the design, fitting, and dispensing of eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids, and prosthetic ocular devices. Using the initial prescription from an Ophthalmologist (medical doctors) or Optometrist (general eye practitioners) they determine the specifications of various ophthalmic devices that will give the necessary correction to a person’s eyesight. Some registered or licensed Opticians (who are called Oularists) also design and fit special lenses to correct cosmetic, traumatic or anatomical defects. These devices are called shells or artificial eyes. Other registered or licensed Opticians manufacture lenses to their own specifications and design and manufacture spectacle frames and other devices.”
– From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There is some overlap among these professions, and thus some inevitable dispute over turf, as you will infer from the definitions above. Suffice to say that each profession provides valuable services to the public, as described, with the best intentions.

Next time: refractive conditions.

Blog #1 – How? Why?

samuelpesnerod — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:35:05 +0000

As an optometrist, I spend a great deal of time educating my patients about the how and why of their eyes. How their visual system works and why they need some form of eye care. Understanding these things makes my patients educated consumers, better equipped to make decisions from the mundane, such as what eyeglass frame is appropriate, to life-altering, as with sight-threatening conditions like macular degeneration.

My goal in beginning this blog is to educate “my readers”. From time to time I’ll discuss various general or specific subjects that will help to explain the how and why. If there are questions and comments I’ll endeavor to answer in a timely way.

The next blog will discuss the “Three O’s”.

Hello world!

samuelpesnerod — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:32:40 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!