Welcome to the message board forum for Krukenbergs Spindle and Pigment Dispersion Syndrome.
Here you will be able to post messages or reply to messages posted by other people... share your experiences of PDS or Krukenbergs.
Tracy's Message Board Forum
Welcome to the message board forum for Krukenbergs Spindle and Pigment Dispersion Syndrome. Here you will be able to post messages or reply to messages posted by other people... share your experiences of PDS or Krukenbergs. |
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| Viewing Page 1 of 1 (Total Posts: 8) |
| Author | Comment |
Ian Pratt
 IP: 69.123.69.11 Nov 18, 06 - 10:25 PM |
Opthamologist missed it- Optometrist caught it
A month ago, I went to see my girlfriend's longstanding opthamologist in New York City. I was concerned because I had a couple of episodes of seeing flashers/floaters over the summer. I normally get my eyes checked at an independent optometrists office at Lenscrafters. Four years ago, the Doctor of Optometry dilated my pupils and did a thorough examination. He said that the lower part of my retina in both eyes was very thin and I should be careful of seeing any floaters- they may be a symptom of damage (hence my visit to the opthamologist). I wasn't very satisfied with the Opthamologist I saw- he spoke warmly of my girlfriend and her family, yet seemd somewhat distanced in treating me. He dilated my eyes and examined my eyes. He prescribed me antihistamine drops to treat some mild irritation caused by my contact lenses. Now, because he didn't carry and wasn't interested in ordering the type of contacts I like (he only sells disposables, which I don't trust to not break easily), I went back to Lenscrafters. I did submit his eyeglass prescription so I could get my glasses back after I got contact lenses back from the indepedent optometrist in the store. I explained to the optometrist that I had recently seen an opthamologist and had submitted his prescription. He checked my prescription and quickly ran out to stop the opticians from cutting my lenses. He double checked my prescription and either its changed in the last month or the opthmologists' prescription is incorrect (I'm weraing the glasses now and they're pretty much perfect in both eyes). The optometrist then checked my eyes. He inquired whether the opthamologist mentioned any problems with my eyes (other than irritation). He said that he saw the loss of pigmentation and that I had Pigment Dispersion Syndrome. His prognosis and treatment was exactly what I've been reading on websites about the condition- be aware of any eye pain that comes quickly (an indication of pigment clogging and pressure building) and to come again in about three months to check everything out again. It did sound pretty scary at the time. He then double checked by doing goinoscopy (looks through a mirrored crystal placed directly on the eye). What I really want to know is what is the difference between an optometrist and an opthamologist besides one having a medical degree. Was the opthamologist incompetent or was the optometrist just being MORE thorough. Or was it something more fundamental? (By the way, the opthamologist charged me fifty dollars more than the optometrist, and that didn't include a glaucoma test or contact lenses!) |
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Dave
IP: 193.62.251.16 Dec 1st, 2006 - 4:16 PM |
Re: Opthamologist missed it- Optometrist caught it
I was hoping someone your side of the pond was going to answer your question but as no-one has I'll take a swing at it. First of all, you should understand there can be quite large differences in training and regulation between states. This can influence what an optometrist or ophthalmologist does during his/her clinical practice. But baring that in mind... Ophthalmologists are people who have done a medical degree and chosen to specialise in eyes. They are able to perform a wide variety of surgical procedures, laser work and dispense drugs. They perform ocular health checks and are able to test for, and supply, glasses and contact lenses. Optometrists are indivudals who have done an optometry degree and thus are just trained with regard to eyes. They do not often perform surgery or work with lasers but can dispense certain, although not all medications. They perform ocular health checks and are able to test for, and supply, glasses and contact lenses. I don't believe that differences in training or specialisation resulted in the differing opinions you were provided with. One person might just be better than the other. But I wouldn't (as a UK optometrist) care to say which one without examining you myself. Hope this was of help/interest. Dave |
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Ian
IP: 69.123.69.11 Dec 1st, 2006 - 5:47 PM |
Re: Opthamologist missed it- Optometrist caught it
Thanks, Dave. I am going to get a second opinion. Ian |
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Ken Jeffers
IP: 71.209.251.94 Feb 9th, 2007 - 8:26 AM |
Re: Opthamologist missed it- Optometrist caught it
Hi Tracy, Hopefully I'll answer your question in a non-bias manner, as I, like Dave, am an optometrist. Although it's true that ophthalmologists have advanced training medically because they attended medical school, I believe that your particular case could be handled (or mishandled) by either doctor equally. If in fact you have pigment dispersion syndrome, then in this case the optometrist did a better job than the ophthalmologist. I firmly believe that it's just like any other profession in the world, it's the individual performing the service that matters. There are competent and incopetent optomerists and ophthalmologists. Much like taking your care to a mechanic. Some mechanics are certified but incompetent, and some are competent but not certified. Knowing the excellent training I recieved I would feel more than comfortable examining you, diagnosing you, and, if needed, treating you for the glaucoma that can result from pigment dispersion syndrome. By the way, pigment dispersion syndrome does not always lead to glaucoma. In fact, in MOST cases it doesn't. So even if you do develop glaucoma, you're dealing with a slow, slow from of the disease and you have time for multiple opinions. I wish you the best of luck in finding a competent eyecare professional to take good care of you. There are a lot of us out there. Ken Jeffers, O.D. |
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Ken Jeffers
IP: 71.209.251.94 Feb 9th, 2007 - 8:32 AM |
Re: Opthamologist missed it- Optometrist caught it
Sorry about that Ian, I inadvertently started my reply "Hi Tracy" because of Tracy's message board. My apologies. Ken |
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Ian Pratt
IP: 69.123.69.11 Feb 9th, 2007 - 1:07 PM |
Re: Opthamologist missed it- Optometrist caught it
Thanks Ken- I actually went to the NY Eye and Ear Infirmary's clinic to get another opinion. The opthamologist who examined me saw the condition right away- he even tried to take a digital photograph of it, but the flash on the machine was too general and too bright. He gave me a thororough examination and set me up for fundus photography, HRT infrared mapping, and a visual field test. He said that I should get checked up every year and the extra tests were for a baseline in case my eye degenerated later in life. He did say that I should go back to my optometrist because he seemed like he was giving me excellent care. I agree with you that just having a degree and training doesn't make one conscientious and careful. The particular opthamologist that I saw first was using technology that was 20-30 years old. Ian |
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Dorothy Hannam
IP: 142.167.218.153 Sep 13th, 2007 - 10:21 PM |
Re: Opthamologist missed it- Optometrist caught it
I too had a somewhat similar problem with an opthamologist versus an optometrist. Before I was aware of my krukenberg spindles I had been going to an opthamologist for contacts. Upon explaining that I was not seeing as clearly with the contacts as with glasses he just assured me I should blink more. How much can one person blink I ask you because no amount of blinking helped my vision nor did the drops you take to lubricate your eyes when dry. So off to the optometrist for a second opinion on contacts only to find out about krukenberg spindles and the risk of glaucoma, by the way I never should have had the type of contacts I was prescribed as I have an astigmatism that required hard contacts back then. So sometimes it`s the luck of the draw when it comes to the professionalism, experience, and knowledge of the professionals you see. |
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Ian Pratt
IP: 69.112.63.236 Sep 14th, 2007 - 6:25 PM |
Re: Opthamologist missed it- Optometrist caught it
Thanks Dorothy. Here's an update. I've been getting testing done at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary under the supervision of a first year resident there. I've had HRT Infrared mapping, fundus photographs taken. The initial field of vision test showed a possible problem (two dots next to each other were missed on the periphery), so the doctor recommended a second test with a wider field. I also just received two types of sonograms, taken in both light and dark conditions. These tests apparently confirmed the condition, although the doctor doesn't think anything needs to be done at this time. But he is sending me to the glaucoma clinic where I'll be seeing a second year resident. Most of these tests can be done in a private doctors' office, yet I feel that I'm getting a high level of care. Residents get to consult with other doctors in the hospital and are able to consult with each other about new knowledge that a doctor in private practice may not be keeping up with. |
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