The State Of Working Relations Between Optometrists And Ophthalmologists: A Survey Of Eye Care Practitioners In Michigan And Ohio.

Vital to the maintenance of an efficient health care system is the presence of comfortable and productive working relations among its numerous participants. This study explores the opinions of the two groups of eye and vision care providers on this issue, and strives to determine if they have changed as a result of the increasing scope of practice of one of the groups. A survey was used to gather information from Doctors of optometry and ophthalmology in the states of Michigan and Ohio. These states were chosen because optometrists are allowed to use therapeutic pharmaceutical agents (TPA's) in Ohio and not in. Michigan. Results indicate that the opinions of optometrists and ophthalmologists differ on most questions included in the survey, including those related to comanagement and management of certain ocular diseases and postoperative conditions. There was no statistically significant difference between opinions of practitioners in either state surveyed. These results suggest a lack of ideal professional relations among the two main providers of eye and vision care. Also, they indicate that optometrists have not been able to gain
recognition as key entry-level providers despite legislation supporting increased scope of practice. Improvement in both these areas is required if optometrists and ophthalmologists are to make full use of their respective positions to provide full-scope and efficient eye and vision care.