Lasik by optometrists???

[optiboarder]

Just heard from a friend of mine that Lasik was done by optometrists someplace in US.

What are your opinions on the subject? Would you trust an optometrist to perform such procedure?

[NC-OD]

Not true.

[Bill West]

GET REAL. YOU ARE KIDDING. I'D SOONER DO IT MYSELF. LOL !:angry: :angry: :angry:

Just heard from a friend of mine that Lasik was done by optometrists someplace in US.

What are your opinions on the subject? Would you trust an optometrist to perform such procedure?

[slaboff]

I personally think that optometrists should be able to perform lasik, so long as they are properly trained...

[Blake]

It's not like it's surgery or ... oh, wait... oops!

As long as they've got the training. Now where would one learn to perform a surgical procedure? Medical School???

[drk]

I agree, and I'm an OD. Leave the surgery to the surgeons, at least for the forseeable future.

[Rich]

The rumor I heard this past weekend is that Kentucky OD's can do Laser procedures. Does anyone else know about this?

Thanks,
Rich

[optical sam]

As usual it is a friend of a friend. I would love to hear the source of this rumor.

Sam Omar MD

[For-Life]

What ever happened to leaving the glasses to a licenced Optician, the eye exams to an Optometrist, and the surgery to the MD's?

[optical sam]

I have no idea why everyone wants to do everything else? I guess the grass is greener on the other side. I do have an optician that works with me but I do enjoy learning the issues surrounding dispensing so that i can help my optician with diagnosing problems.

Sam

[hcjilson]

that OD's are allowed to do Laser surgery in Oklahoma.This is allowed in Vetran's Hospitals only.The scuttlebut around this office is that if OD's can do it in a OK VA facility, they can do it in ANY VA hosptital anywhere, the federal rules superceding state rules. I freely admit that I have not seen this in print anywhere, but the MA Society of Ophthalmologists are very actively fighting this.Posters an literature around this office.The reason I suspect this is true came from an article I read in VM a week or so ago. I quoted it in the following thread:
http://www.optiboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10856

Again, in this thread, I would request dialog rather than profession bashing.
thanks from hj

[slaboff]

What ever happened to leaving the glasses to a licenced Optician, the eye exams to an Optometrist, and the surgery to the MD's?

greed

[Rebecca Petris]

that OD's are allowed to do Laser surgery in Oklahoma.

I thought that this was true of surface ablation but not LASIK?

[hcjilson]

Rebecca,
Not my department! I must plead ignorance of what is done with a laser, and again I repeat I've not seen anything in writing about what is, and is not allowed in OK.

Welcome to Optiboard and nice to see you posting.

harry j

[optical sam]

Rebecaa, maybe they are getting LASEK confused with LASIK?

Sam

[hcjilson]

And then again, maybe they are confusing OD with MD !

[Shwing]

So I''m clear;


the OD's can perform LASIK, something that could be perceived as an automated procedure, but opticians shouldn't be allowed to perform automated sight testing, such as in BC and Alberta??

smacks of hypocracy.

Oh, wait, never mind.

[CB]

According to an article on the website www.vetscoalition.org and from what I have read in Ophthalmology Times and the Review of Ophthalmology, ocular laser surgeries that can be performed by optometrists under Oklahoma state law are: PRK, LASEK, Capsulotomy, Laser Trabeculoplasty and Peripheral Iridotomy.

I haven't figured out how to provide links to the articles on this forum. I don't believe optometrists are allowed to perform LASIK but I have been wrong before :p.

[Stopper]

I don't know of any state where ODs are allowed to perform LASIK. You all are getting a little carried away with this "optical legend".

[hcjilson]

This is definitely NOT a legend Stopper. reference the formentioned thread, then contact the Mass Society of Ophthalmologists and you will get all the info you need.The posters hanging in the office are REAL. hj

[Jacqui]

I have some connection to the local VA's and no one here, or in Minnesota, has heard anytyhing about it.

P.S. I'm completely against it.

[optiboarder]

As usual it is a friend of a friend. I would love to hear the source of this rumor.

Sam Omar MD

Dear Sam Omar MD,
I started the "rumor". I think my friend (and no, she's not imaginary) might have been talking about the same thing as Rich:

"The rumor I heard this past weekend is that Kentucky OD's can do Laser procedures..."

[optical sam]

There are many types of laser procedures done for people.

All are surgery however it is not clear from your friend was that LASIK?

It is an intersting rumor and if true, I am glad I am selling glasses!

:hammer:

Sam

[slaboff]

I have no idea why everyone wants to do everything else? I guess the grass is greener on the other side. I do have an optician that works with me but I do enjoy learning the issues surrounding dispensing so that i can help my optician with diagnosing problems.

Sam

do you sell eyeglasses? if so the you get to do everything, that makes you the top of the food chain... where everyone else wants to be

[Stopper]

hcjilson,

Can you or anyone tell where OD's are doing Lasik? I just don't think that is happening. I could be wrong( and I don't mind being wrong )but I haven't heard of any state where OD's are doing Lasik.