The Role of Your Optometrist in Eye Care

An optometrist is considered a primary eye care provider. As part of this role, there may be times that an optometrist referral is needed to another doctor – either another optometrist, an ophthalmologist, or a primary care physician. These referrals are an important aspect of patient care and provide the patient with the best care and most complete treatment. Possible reasons for referrals include needing a specialty service, needing a surgical consultation, or needing co-management of a systemic disease like diabetes. Your optometrist should be willing and able to make these timely referrals when needed. 
 

Role of the Optometrist

Generally, an optometrist is a first-line provider for all eye health needs. Optometrists are capable of managing both vision and health-related concerns. Glasses or contact lenses may be prescribed or adjusted by your optometrist to correct blurred vision. Additionally, complaints such as eye pain, dry eyes, watery eyes, itchy eyes, and eye fatigue can be managed by an optometrist. These complaints are usually due to eye conditions that are treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications, lifestyle modifications, or minor in-office treatments. If you have an issue with your eyes or vision, your optometrist should be the first person you think of and the first person to whom you seek care.
 

Optometrist Referral

In some cases, an optometrist will make a referral to another optometrist. These cases are usually when the second optometrist offers an additional or specialty service that is not offered at the referring clinic. Some examples include vision therapy, specialty hard contact lenses, and even pediatric eye exams. These are readily handled by optometrists, but not all optometrists or clinics offer these services. This type of referral will usually include co-management in which the original doctor still manages the routine or annual visits and any medical visits even during the period of co-management. 
 

Referrals to Ophthalmologists

A common referral from an optometrist is to an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists offer surgical care for the eyes and eyelids. These referrals can range from cataract surgery consultations to eyelid lifts. Any surgical procedure that is not performed by optometrists will usually require a referral to an ophthalmologist for a consultation and possible surgery. Some ophthalmologists offer special care such as retinal specialties or oculoplastics. These types of referrals may be needed for very unique or specific eye problems such as a retinal detachment or orbital fracture. When an optometrist refers to an ophthalmologist, there will be a significant amount of co-management including sharing of medical records and communication between the doctors throughout the duration of care. 
 

Referrals to Primary Care Physicians

While many referrals will be within eye care, there may be cases when a referral to a primary care physician is indicated. An optometrist is capable of managing the eye-related effects of systemic conditions such as diabetes, thyroid problems, and high blood pressure but these conditions should also be managed by a primary care doctor. If an optometrist notes these changes in someone without a diagnosis or notes that there is a significant progression, a referral to the primary care physician is indicated. The primary care physician will manage the condition throughout the body and coordinate with the eye doctor who manages the eye effects of the condition. 

Our eye doctor at The Optical Centre in Longmont, CO excels in the prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrist at 303-772-6650 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would like to learn more about eye care or optometrist referrals. Our eye doctor, Dr. Erica Whitmire provides the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in Longmont, Colorado and its surrounding areas.