Karyn writes:

<Thx for that, Jennifer.  Guess I know what I need!
 
Frustrating that the 'eye experts' - the optitians who perform eye exams,
don't provide this information.  I guess they're just interested in selling
me more glasses!>

As breast surgery and lactation care have different perspective on breasts, and lactation professionals (to make this breastfeeding related) come in different types and degrees of training, so do eye-care professionals have different perspectives, training and practice areas. In the U.S., some of the licensing laws are different even in different states, let alone in different countries. In the U. S., opticians need not have any college preparation, but can become opticians through trade preparation and licensure examinations. They do not (legitimately, to my knowledge) perform eye exams. As I understand it, there are even different types of licenses for opticians who make lenses in the lab and for those who dispense them to the patient.  

In my youth(1940's), EENT was one specialty! I had one doctor who both examined my eyes to prescribe for glasses and could have taken my tonsils out! This one medical physician specialized in eye, ear, nose and throat conditions, probably mainly because of the proximity of the organs!!! Today, optometrists (O.D's) and opthalmologists (M.D.'s or D.O's) often have an associated practice in the same office, using the same staff and equipment. The optometrist does mostly vision correction, but also visualizes the inside of the eye, knowing what to treat with lenses, and what to refer to the ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist understands the vision correction principles that the optometrist uses, but is even more educated in the medical and surgical aspects. There are even specialists in various aspects within the specialty of ophthalmology itself! 

Optometrists in such partnerships also usually have their own optical shops and hire their own dispensing opticians and an outside manufacturing lab contract, in orderto have some degree of quality control. OTOH, commercial mall-type optical shops/chains hire their own lab and dispensing opticians as well as optometrists, and therefore, any medical/surgical optical conditions must hopefully be recognized as such and be referred outside to opthalmologists.

And do not imagine that eye professionals of any type are ignorant of the information on dietary components as they effect vision. My optometrist advised me on what OTC specialized optical supplement to take. Some very familiar commercial names in the optical lens/glass frame field will also be seen in the vitamin aisle in larger pharmacy departments, with different formulae for different age groups/conditions! These might have many or all of the same vitamins/minerals but in different quantities found in non-optical formulations. Just for an 'eye-opener', google 'vitamin A toxicity'.

K. Jean Cotterman RNC-E, IBCLC
WIC Volunteer LC    Dayton OH

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