HarCo Eye Doctors (DD-related)

FieryIrishAngel

Do you have any suggestions for kid-friendly eye doctors in the Aberdeen/Bel Air-area? I'm looking for independent offices rather than chains, as I'm fairly certain my (crappy) vision insurance isn't accepted at chains (per my optometrist cousin).

KathrynMD

do you need an optometrist (sp?) like to get her glasses or an opthamologist - a regular MD?  An opthamologist should be covered under your regular medical insurance; optomestrists/eyeglasses are covered by the separate vision insurance.

FieryIrishAngel

KathrynMD:

do you need an optometrist (sp?) like to get her glasses or an opthamologist - a regular MD?  An opthamologist should be covered under your regular medical insurance; optomestrists/eyeglasses are covered by the separate vision insurance.

I suspect that she may need glasses and want a more comprehensive exam than the one offered in her pediatrician's office, so I believe I want an optometrist?  

KathrynMD

no - you want a regular opthamologist who can do a full eye exam (and check for eye diseases, do eye surgery, etc.) and they can write you an Rx for her if she needs glasses.  Then, when you actually buy the eyeglasses, you can use your vision insurance (or not use it).  but the opthamologist should be covered just like any other specialist - allergist, ENT, etc.

ucgrad

KathrynMD:

no - you want a regular opthamologist who can do a full eye exam (and check for eye diseases, do eye surgery, etc.) and they can write you an Rx for her if she needs glasses.  Then, when you actually buy the eyeglasses, you can use your vision insurance (or not use it).  but the opthamologist should be covered just like any other specialist - allergist, ENT, etc.

I had no idea about this. I thought you only went to an opthomologist if you had major eye problems - like you got jabbed in the eye with a stick. Dang, I thought I had this insurance/doctor thing figured out!

FieryIrishAngel

A routine eye exam is going to be covered by my vision insurance, so why not use it?   Glasses aren't generally considered a medical reason for seeing a specialist under standard medical insurance (as opposed to vision insurance).

Per the cousin who's an optometrist, many opthamologists (sp?) write prescriptions incorrectly. Between her schooling, experience and her father being an optometrist, I'm gonna follow her suggestions to find a pediatric optometrist to have Mia's eyes checked.

KathrynMD

Sorry - I just thought opthamologist might be a better option since you said your vision plan wasn't very good. Nevermind

weezie825

If you are willing to go to GBMC they have an eye clinic...  You see medical residents from Johns Hopiks who are overseen by doctors with 20+ years experience. If you are interested I'll hunt up the business card I have.

 

ETA:  It was the resident there that after 15 years of being told my eyes were "fine" that diagnosed me with acute angle closure glacoma!

FieryIrishAngel

Kathryn, I'm sorry if I was bitchy about it. That wasn't my intention, but I can see how it might have come across that way anyway. I appreciate the suggestion.

Lisa and Mickey

Crap- when I read this yesterday I was thinking by chain you meant like Parris Castoro Eye and Laser Center but now I realize you probably mean like Pearl Vision and those kinds. SD saw Dr Abrams at Parris Castoro but she has moved to Katz eye group which is in Towson. She is great but I am thinking you don't want to go that far and you wanted an optometrist anyway. SD saw Stephen Cyford (an optometrist I think) there once when she had an emergency and we liked him a lot too. They have an office behind Harford Mall and there is another in Havre de Grace.

lesleytaylor

Since I'm married to an optometrist I thought I would respond.  An optometrist can see patients for routine eye exams, diagnose and treat medical conditions.  An ophthalmologist's specialty is surgery.  It's kind of like the difference between a dentist and an oral surgeon.  You wouldn't go to an oral surgeon to have your teeth cleaned.  Now a days ophthalmologists are more specialists (glaucoma, retina, cornea, etc).  Most general eye doctors are optometrists.  Optometrists are extensively trained in optics and prescribing glasses and contacts as well as treating general medical conditions of the eye.  If more extensive medical treatment is needed such as surgery than an optometrist will refer to an ophthalmologist. 

As for your insurance.  Your medical insurance will only cover an eye exam if there is a medical condition (diabetes, glaucoma, etc.) Needing glasses is not a medical condition (this is where your vision insurance steps in).  Optometrists do accept medical insurance along with vision insurance. 

I hope this helps clarify for you.