Optometry-Based Sentiments In Optometry-Ophthalmology Relations.

Background: This research study examines practice factors and professional opinions related to eye healthcare professionals throughout the United States. The objectives of this study are as follows: 1) to better understand the professional relationship between Optometrists and Ophthalmologists; 2) to provide a comprehensive summary analyzing present day practice dynamics; 3) to study ocular healthcare trends between states with large participation in this study. Methods: This study intended to gather as much data as possible from a potentially large audience of eye care practitioners. A survey was constructed for both professions and was available only online. Executive directors of Ophthalmology State Organizations and Optometry State Associations of all 50 states were sent electronic mail requests to forward the online
survey link to all of their respective organization's members. Results: There were a total of 356 survey responses, all from optometrists. Unfortunately, there were no responses from any ophthalmologists. However, the study does analyze the responses of those 356 optometrists and attempts to draw useful information related to the aforementioned
objectives despite the fact that the data comes from only a fraction of the anticipated
population. Conclusions: The information suggests: 1) most optometrists are happy with their current scope of practice; 2) the more practitioners there are working together the higher the likelihood of advanced and expensive instrumentation; 3) almost half (43.8%) of survey respondents desire laser privileges; 4) optometrists believe they can fit specialty contact lenses and diagnose binocular vision better than ophthalmologists.