Chapter 27Ophthalmic Care

Health Care Science Technology

Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Chapter 272 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Objectives

Compare the roles and responsibilities of the optometrist and ophthalmologist.

Summarize the role and responsibilities of an orthoptist.

Chapter 273 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Objectives (cont.)

Describe the roles and responsibilities of ophthalmic medical personnel.

Research ophthalmic career opportunities that involve preparation and fitting of corrective lenses.

Successfully complete 3 ophthalmic procedures.

Chapter 274 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Careers in Ophthalmology 27-1

The Optometrist and the Ophthalmologist

OrthoptistOphthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP)Preparation and Fitting of Corrective

Lenses

Chapter 275 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The Optometrist and the Ophthalmologist

The Job of the Optometrist– Use instruments and

observation to examine eye health.

– Test client’s visual acuity, visual depth, and color perception.

– Test ability to coordinate and focus the eye.

– Prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Chapter 276 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The Optometrist and the Ophthalmologist (cont.)

The Job of the Optometrist (cont.)– Provide vision therapy and rehabilitation.– Administer drugs to aid in the diagnosis of

vision problems.– Prescribe drugs to treat some eye diseases.– Diagnose eye conditions due to other

diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

– Refer clients to other health care practitioners.

Chapter 277 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The Optometrist and the Ophthalmologist (cont.)

Optometrist Specialty Areas– Working with the elderly, children, or partially-sighted

clients.– Developing ways to protect workers’ eyes from on-the-

job strain or injury.– Providing contact lenses, sports vision, or vision

therapy.– Teaching optometry or performing research.– Working with ophthalmologists to provide pre- and

postoperative care.– Working as consultants for industrial safety programs,

insurance companies, and manufacturers of ophthalmic products.

Chapter 278 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The Optometrist and the Ophthalmologist (cont.)

The Job of the Ophthalmologist– Can perform any or all of

the duties of an optometrist.

– Can treat eye injuries.– Can perform eye surgery.– Most common eye

surgery is the removal of cataracts, cloudy areas on the eye lens.

Chapter 279 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The Optometrist and the Ophthalmologist (cont.)

Corrective Eye Surgery– Can correct the following vision

disorders:Nearsightedness, or myopia, which

results in defective vision of distant objects.

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, which results in defective near vision.

Chapter 2710 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The Optometrist and the Ophthalmologist (cont.)

Corrective Eye Surgery (cont.)

– Techniques being developed to correct the following:

Astigmatism – a condition caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, resulting in blurred vision.

Presbyopia – the inability of the eye lens to focus incoming light, common in people over 40.

Chapter 2711 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

The Optometrist and the Ophthalmologist (cont.)

LASIK – laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis– Surgery using cool, ultraviolet light on the cornea, the

transparent anterior portion of the outer layer of the eyeball.

Chapter 2712 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Orthoptist

Diagnoses and treats clients with amblyopia, strabismus, defects in eye movements, and binocular vision.

Chapter 2713 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Orthoptist (cont.)

Usually works with an ophthalmologist, performing any or all of the following:– Evaluates vision and ocular alignment

using special examination techniques.– Measures visual acuity, ability to focus, and

the movement of the eyes.– Checks near vision and depth perception.– Estimates the eyeglass correction.– Performs glaucoma tests.

Chapter 2714 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Orthoptist (cont.)

– Evaluates color vision.– Assists in ophthalmic surgery.– Teaches children and their parents

exercises to strengthen eye muscles.– Researches current methods of treatment,

devises new modes of exercises, and increases the understanding of binocular vision.

– Teaches orthoptics in hospitals or clinics.

Chapter 2715 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP)

Work under the direction of an ophthalmologist or optometrist as an assistant.

Collect data, dispense treatments ordered, and supervise clients.

Take ophthalmic photographs or use ultrasound. An ophthalmic technologist may provide

instruction and supervise other workers. Expected to perform at a higher skill level than ophthalmic assistants.

Chapter 2716 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP) (cont.)

The Job of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel– Take medical history and perform diagnostic

tests.– Take measurements of the eye and

surrounding tissue.– Test visual acuity and ocular fields.– Perform all the ophthalmologic tests

necessary for preliminary and highly specific eye tests.

Chapter 2717 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP) (cont.)

The Job of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (cont.)– Administer topical ophthalmic and oral

medications.– Instruct the client in care and use of contact

lenses.– Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments.– Assist with ophthalmic surgery.– Assist with fitting contact lenses.– Provide supervision and instruction to other

ophthalmic medical personnel.

Chapter 2718 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Preparation and Fitting of Corrective Lenses

Ophthalmic laboratory technicians are also known as manufacturing opticians, optical mechanics, or optical goods workers.

They cut, grind, edge, and finish lenses according to specifications given by dispensing opticians, optometrists, or ophthalmologists.

Chapter 2719 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Preparation and Fitting of Corrective Lenses (cont.)

The Job of Dispensing Opticians– Examine written prescriptions to

determine lens specifications.– Recommend eyeglass frames, lenses,

and lens coatings.– Measure clients’ eyes, including the

distance between the centers of the pupils and the distance between the eye surface and the lens.

Chapter 2720 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Preparation and Fitting of Corrective Lenses (cont.)

The Job of Dispensing Opticians (cont.)

– Prepare work orders that give ophthalmic laboratory technicians the information they need.

– Grind and insert lenses.– Verify that the lenses have been ground

to specifications.– Reshape the frame so that the eyeglasses

fit the client.

Chapter 2721 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Preparation and Fitting of Corrective Lenses (cont.)

The Job of Dispensing Opticians (cont.) – Fix, adjust, and refit broken frames.– Instruct clients about adapting to,

wearing, or caring for eyeglasses.– Keep records on customer

prescriptions, work orders, and payments.

– Track inventory and sales and perform other administrative duties.

Chapter 2722 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Section 27-1Apply Your Knowledge

What is used to perform LASIK surgery?

Answer:A laser, which consists of a cool ultraviolet light beam.

Chapter 2723 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Procedures in Ophthalmic Care 27-2

Additional Career Skills

Chapter 2724 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Additional Career Skills

In addition to testing for visual acuity, measuring color vision, and caring for eyeglasses, ophthalmic care staff members may perform other skills such as instilling eye drops.– Eye drops are used to dilate the pupils or treat

disease.– Care should be taken to avoid errors when

instilling eye drops.

Chapter 2725 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Section 27-2Apply Your Knowledge

What disease is treated using eye drops?

Answer:Glaucoma.

Chapter 2726 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Procedures in Student Text

27A Measuring Visual Acuity

27B Testing Color Vision

27C Caring for Eyeglasses

Chapter 2727 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Additional Procedures in Lab Activity Manual

LM27-1 Instilling Eye Drops

Chapter 2728 Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Chapter 27 Credits

Slide 5 Terry Wild Studio

Slide 8 Dr. P. Marazzi/SPL/Photo Researchers

Slide 18 Ken Lax Photography