Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist (contact lens fitting)

[LisaR]

I understand the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist but I am still confused.

DD had her eye exam 6 months ago and she is having trouble seeing the overhead projector in class. We will have to pay out of pocket for a new exam since we only get one a year with our eye insurance. No biggie but I figured I would call around for the best price.

I accidentally called an ophthalmologist and the lady said I could bring DD in there and our BC/BS would cover the exam. I asked if they would also cover the contact lens fitting and she said ophthalmologists don't do fittings but if DD already wears contacts (she does) she would not need a fitting unless she was switching brands (she isn't). I called another ophthalmologist and was told the exact same thing.

I then called the optometrist she saw 6 months ago and another optometrist and they said the complete opposite. Both said she absolutely needs another contact lens fitting.

WTH? Someone is either lying or misinformed. Any idea who is right?

 

[krcit]

I would think if she is having trouble seeing the projector then she needs a new contact lens prescription. So I would bring her to the optometrist.

 

[LisaR]

I would think if she is having trouble seeing the projector then she needs a new contact lens prescription.

I recognize that. The ophthalmologist said they can do an exam and give me the prescription so I can order her new contacts. They insist she doesn't need an actual contact lens fitting. The optometrist insists she needs a new fitting any time an eye exam is performed. I don't know enough about fittings to understand what they really encompass. Two ophthalmologists said fittings are not at all necessary unless you switch brands of contacts.

 

[krcit]

Hmm, then I don't know I think I would go with the optometrist because if she needs a new prescription OR a new fitting or both then you're already where he can do that. Maybe because she's still kid her eyes are changing and she does need a new fitting? I'm a ton of help, huh?lol

 

[luvmy3]

I recognize that. The ophthalmologist said they can do an exam and give me the prescription so I can order her new contacts. They insist she doesn't need an actual contact lens fitting. The optometrist insists she needs a new fitting any time an eye exam is performed. I don't know enough about fittings to understand what they really encompass. Two ophthalmologists said fittings are not at all necessary unless you switch brands of contacts.

Dh only has a followup fitting exam IF he changes brands. He just had an appt and his prescrip changed slightly in one eye, they ordered him the same contacts that he has been wearing and was not required to make a fitting appt. He sees and optometrist, if that helps.

 

[krcit]

I would think if she is having trouble seeing the projector then she needs a new contact lens prescription. So I would bring her to the optometrist.

I just reread this and it sounds a little snotty. I'm sorry-didn't mean to sound like that

 

[Skatermom23]

I recognize that. The ophthalmologist said they can do an exam and give me the prescription so I can order her new contacts. They insist she doesn't need an actual contact lens fitting. The optometrist insists she needs a new fitting any time an eye exam is performed. I don't know enough about fittings to understand what they really encompass. Two ophthalmologists said fittings are not at all necessary unless you switch brands of contacts.

I have been in the same position as you and asked the same questions! You need to take your DD back to the Optometrist. She doesn't need a "fitting appointment." That was the extra appointment that you did once the optometrist gave you her initial prescription. Now he should be able to adjust the contact lens prescription in a regular exam. My DD went through several adjustments during her first year wearing contacts. We were charged a regular exam fee of $40 each time he made adjustments.

Our Ophthalmologist seemed to be under the assumption that we could take his prescription and pick up contacts...this is not the case. He is writing a script for a glass lens, not contacts. Even if it was, since they do not recommend brands or types.. you want to be under the care of a Optometrist who deals with this daily and can make changes.

 

[m&m's mom]

I have a LOT of experience with this.
DD goes to an Opthamologist for a detailed eye exam and we get a glasses prescription there. Also her eyes get dialated here.
We also go to a Optometrist for the contacts. They seem to do an extensive test that is different than the other office.
Her prescription does not chage frequently but almost every year we see the Opthamologist is always first and them Optometrist.

 

[luvmy3]

I have been in the same position as you and asked the same questions! You need to take your DD back to the Optometrist. She doesn't need a "fitting appointment." That was the extra appointment that you did once the optometrist gave you her initial prescription. Now he should be able to adjust the contact lens prescription in a regular exam. My DD went through several adjustments during her first year wearing contacts. We were charged a regular exam fee of $40 each time he made adjustments.

Our Ophthalmologist seemed to be under the assumption that we could take his prescription and pick up contacts...this is not the case. He is writing a script for a glass lens, not contacts. Even if it was, since they do not recommend brands or types.. you want to be under the care of a Optometrist who deals with this daily and can make changes.

I am truly amazed that an Opthamologist thought that. I worked for a major chain and that was one of the basics in our training, and I was just a receptionist. There are many people who think you can just use your glasses Rx for contacts but I can't believe an Opthamologist thought that

 

[surfgirl]

If you are in Southeastern PA, I have a phenomenal contact lens guy I see... I'm happy to give you his name. I have some specific eye problems and have had better vision without problems since I've been going to him. Just send me a pm.

 

[Skatermom23]

I am truly amazed that an Opthamologist thought that. I worked for a major chain and that was one of the basics in our training, and I was just a receptionist. There are many people who think you can just use your glasses Rx for contacts but I can't believe an Opthamologist thought that

Well, let me clarify that he didn't actually come out and say that, but he indicated that all I would need to do is bring the prescription to any optical place and they would give me the contacts. I took that to mean that it was an actual script and was quite upset when I called the Optometrist and was told that not only would she need an exam but also a fitting exam as well. I think the Opthamologist could have explained the process a little better At our next appt he seemed a bit put off that the contact lens "number" didn't correlate with his prescription.

 

[momof1princess]

i wear contacts as well, and i have only had ONE fitting, since i never change brands. i do, however, have to see the optometrist after i see my eye doctor, and she verifies his findings and actually writes out what i need for my contacts. they're in the same office and since i've already seen him, i just check in with her, she reads the prescription and writes out what i need. last year, i left without seeing her, due to a miscommunication with the nurse, and when i took the prescription to the local store where i get my glasses and contacts, they said the numbers they needed for the contacts were missing, lol, so i had to go back and let the optometrist read the prescription and write in the numbers.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks everyone. It sounds like I am better off taking her to an optometrist. I don't want to go back to the place I took her 6 months ago because I wasn't impressed with them. I called four optometrists today and they all insist she will need an exam plus a fitting. I have to suck it up and pay the $129. The only place that was cheaper was Walmart at $99 but DH wants me to pay the little bit extra and take her to a "real" optical place.

 

[tommya60]

See if you can find someone who specializes in contacts--it can make all the difference in the world. We all wear contacts, we each wear a different type of lens.

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

Make sure your insurance really won't cover it.

Mine is one eye exam per calendar year, so if I went on December 31st 2009 and January 1st 2010 they would both be covered, but no other exams for those years would be covered. I know some insurances are for consective months and some are for calendar years, so just wanted to make sure you check!

 

[LisaR]

Make sure your insurance really won't cover it.

Mine is one eye exam per calendar year, so if I went on December 31st 2009 and January 1st 2010 they would both be covered, but no other exams for those years would be covered. I know some insurances are for consective months and some are for calendar years, so just wanted to make sure you check!

I wish but our year is June 1st to May 31st. She went in August and can't go again until June 1st. No biggie but it will just bug me to pay extra for a fitting if she doesn't actually need a fitting. Oh well.

 

[sarahkaiserdse]

If you were going back to the original OD you would not need another fitting. As a new pt the OD will always schedule you for a new fit because each Drs office has to have specific info in the chart for insurance reasons in case you decide to sue for any reason. Those extra measurement take more of the drs time.

 

[LisaR]

If you were going back to the original OD you would not need another fitting. As a new pt the OD will always schedule you for a new fit because each Drs office has to have specific info in the chart for insurance reasons in case you decide to sue for any reason. Those extra measurement take more of the drs time.

Actually, they were the first place I called and they insisted she would need another fitting.

 

[golfgal]

I wonder if this is something that is specific to your state? In our state both Optometrists and Ophthalmologists can do contact fittings. In our old town we saw an Ophthalmologist and here we see an Optometrist and have gotten contact fittings from both of them. Our Optometrist is GREAT and if the kids need a new prescription within a year from their last one he does it all for free.

 

[golfgal]

Oh, and just something to look into but make sure she has the correct contacts in the correct eye. DS14 got new contacts late summer and a month or so into school he was having problems seeing. I had made an appointment to get his eyes looked at again and he put in new contacts that morning and all of the sudden his eyes were better--he had his left contact in his right eye and vice versa .