eye doctor question

[charliesmom]

Two years ago I had a pretty bad ON attack, lost all vision in my left eye. I did regain most, but not all my vision. At the time I started with my Optometrist who referred me to a local Opthalmologist, who referred me to a Neuro-opthalmologist two hours away. I haven't been back to see any eye doctor since then. I know I need to have my eyes checked but I have no idea who to go to??? Do I go back to my regular Optometrist? or do I need to go back to the Neuro-Opth? I don't want to waste anyone's time by going to the wrong one first. I haven't had any major eye issues in the last two years but I have been noticing that it takes my eyes a bit to focus when I move my eyes quickly and I tend to squint when moving from looking at something close up to something farther away. Thanks for any insight you can give me!

-C's

[Redwings]

After two years it's appropriate to have a comprehensive exam, evaluating vision and eye health. Your optometrist is like your "primary care eye doctor," so that's a good place to start. Because of their training, optometrists are good at addressing vision issues. Some ophthalmologists are also good at vision issues, but their training and practice have them concentrating on the physical eye and procedures they perform. A lot of people find that it's sort of hit or miss in having their ophthalmologist deal with anything more than simple refractions and glasses.

As before, your optometrist will refer to back to the ophthalmologist if you have any more complex medical issues that need to be followed up on. The neuro-ophth is not the place to start, since s/he is a specialist who will most likely address only neuro-ophth issues. You'd probably still have to see another eye doctor to get the slow change of focus and squinting evaluated.

[charliesmom]

Redwings, I always know that you will have a great answer to any eye question! Thanks!

-C's