Any optometrist/ophthalmologist on the board?

[curveball1]

Had an exam today where an eye freckle was discovered on the retinal scan (?). The doctor said we need to keep track of it (trying to avoid the keep an eye on it pun phrase). She made it sound like a non-issue essentially, but annual exams would be best going forward.

I did my research online this afternoon after work (don't slap my wrist), but it seems like this seems like I need to see an ophthalmologist rather than an optometrist going forward. Any opinions OB?

 

[clob94]

Stay with the same optometrist. He or she will measure the freckle and document it. Then, every 6 months or so when you go in for your rout8ne eye exam, it will be measured again. If there is ANY growth at all, THEN you need to go see a specialist.

"Hey Clob-- how do you know all this?"

My mom has had a freckle on her eye for over 50 years. She's still tracking it. No growth in 50 years.

 

[txleapd]

I recently had something similar. My optometrist called it a “shadow” but it looked like a freckle. She told me she wasn’t worried about it, but she would track it.

 

[oldhorn2]

Freckles...you pussies... I have been getting shots in my eye every month for over 2years......proof positive you can get used to anything....

 

[TX1972]

Huge difference between optometry and opthalmology. Opthalmologists don't just go to medical school. Most of the residents were Alpha Omega Alpha. Like Phi Beta Kappa for M.D.s. Top 10 % of the class. Example: In North Texas, my local opthalmologist wouldn't refract children. He wanted to leave something for the optometrists, hoping to have them refer the cataracts and other surgery to him. So I sent my 10 year old to see the optometrist. He examined her and sent me a report that she MIGHT have hydrocephalus, should be followed. That is a sign of a brain tumor. Now the M.D. would see her. Turns out that wasn't so. Go see the doctor.

 

[clob94]

Freckles...you pussies... I have been getting shots in my eye every month for over 2years......proof positive you can get used to anything....

Shots like from needles? In your eye?

 

[TX1972]

Shots like from needles? In your eye?

Treatment for macular degeneration.

 

[clob94]

Treatment for macular degeneration.

Looks like I'm going to die of macular degeneration.

 

[oldhorn2]

yep....that is the treatment. I am lucky....20 years ago there was no treatment and you just went blind. Even today there is no cure, but the shots pretty much hold it in place.

I was you Clob...no way in hell....until you think of the alternative. The pain is almost non existent, it is the idea of it and the fact that you have no choice but to watch it all the way in...

 

[clob94]

yep....that is the treatment. I am lucky....20 years ago there was no treatment and you just went blind. Even today there is no cure, but the shots pretty much hold it in place.

I was you Clob...no way in hell....until you think of the alternative. The pain is almost non existent, it is the idea of it and the fact that you have no choice but to watch it all the way in...

I've got this thing about my eyes......