Do Optometrists check your retinas when they give you an eye exam?

Question

Or is it something only an Opthamologist can perform? Reason I'm asking is because I've had a 'floater' in my eye and I'm concerned about it, and some people have said it could be a sign of a retina problem.(or not).

Answer 1

Ophthalmologists can, Optometerists can and should, but not all do. Theraputic Optometrists do on a regular basis. Some floaters are normal. Some are bad. At any rate, get a full complete dilated eye exam. DO not just have a refraction.

Answer 2

With a dilated exam, the Optometrist can check your retinas. A dilated exam is recommended about every 2 years, or more frequently for diabetics (diabetic retinopathy)

A few years back before I had my youngest son, I worked in an Ophthalmologist's office. We had several MD's on board, one of them being a retina specialist. He is a brilliant man and does tremendous work on ARMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration) Anyway, from what I learned from him, floaters are normal and most people have them; some more than others. If you suddenly notice that you have more floaters that weren't there before OR you are experiencing flashes of light, this COULD indicate a retinal detachment.

I would see your Optometrist first and let him/her evaluate you with a dilated exam. If the Optometrist thinks you may need to see a retina specialist, he can refer you.

Answer 3

In the UK examining the inside of the eye is *not* a discretionary part of the examination for an optometrist.

Failure to do so would normally be held to be professional negligence.
Certainly if the presenting symptom is in intraocular one!

My local eye department has asked to see *all* patients with fresh floaters, whether or not the optometrist has seen anything suspicious, their examination merely determining the speed of referral.
About 2% of FRESH floaters require active intervention, but this hospital currently considers (though this is subject to review) that using up 98 appointments for people who need no treatment is worth it, to catch at an earlier stage those two who do.

Answer 4

Dr. Brian Bonanni is a Fellowship-trained corneal-refractive surgeon who has performed over 25,000 successful laser refractive procedures, and is the head of Gotham Lasik in New York City.

Answer 5

There is a lot of stuff on the internet that is basically fat-shaming diabetics for causing their own diabetes with their bad diet and lack of exercise and general lack of moral fibre. A lot of this stuff is written by non-doctors, often with a supplement or diet or training plan to sell that they claim will completely cure diabetes if only people stick to it.

I read this interesting book https://tr.im/jPIKK that gave me a lot of useful tips about my disease and also a different perspective on the best therapeutical approach. I think you should read it too. 

I hope it helps

Answer 6

If you see a floater in your site, go to a Ophthalmologist. Eye sight is nothing to play with.

Answer 7

yes they do