With severe astigmatism and dry eye, is an ophthalmologist better than an optome!

Question: With severe astigmatism and dry eye, is an ophthalmologist better than an optometrist?

I have severe astigmatism (16 d's in one eye). I also have dry eye and use restasis. I am in gas permeables. I had seen 2 optometrists. First said I shouldn't be in glasses due to the severity of the astig., 2nd one said that was silly (and the glasses he prescribed don't work nearly as well as the gas perms the first dr. prescribed). 1st one said I wouldn't be a good candidate for lasik, 2nd one said I might be. 1st one tested me for keratoconus but doesn't think I have it, 2nd one didn't test me but said if 1st one said I didn't have it, then I probably don't. So obviously 2 different opinions. 1st one lives 2 states away (I've moved), so she's not an option. I don't want to go back to 2nd one, don't think he's good (the glasses aren't effective). So, should I try a 3rd, or should I try an ophthalmologist (didn't know if an MD would know more about this?)? Also, for my insurance, Anthem, to cover it, do i have to have a referral to see the MD? My 2nd eye dr didn't give one, I'm sure he wants my business himself. I'd love to get off restasis too, since it's expensive and insurance doesn't cover it until after my huge deductibe. Thanks :)

Answers:

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At an optometrists office, you will be fit in your RGPs by the doctor. At an ophthalmologist, a technician will do the fitting. Probably your best bet is an optometrist that specializes in contact lenses. That may be hard to find since we all tend to like to pretend we can do everything. The people that answer our phones tend to be pretty loyal and say their doctor can do anything you ask about. I think a good question would be: Does your office have a corneal topographer. This is a piece of equipment that measures your cornea very precisely. It is an important tool needed to diagnose and fit contacts for keratoconus. 16D of astigmatism usually means some type of abnormal cornea. Even if your cornea is absolutely normal, glasses would be a bad choice due to the distortion that you get from different amounts of magnification through different meridians. If what you say is accurate, the statement the doctor made about glasses working as well as contact lenses for you reveals incompetence.

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With severe astigmatism and dry eye, is an ophthalmologist better than an optome!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

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