OPHTHALMIC FRONT OFFICE
r Ophthalmology - Specialized branch of medicine
Medical and surgical specialty concerned with the eye and surrounding structures, their proper
function, eye diseases and disorders, and all aspects of vision
One of the oldest specialties in medicine dating back to mid nineteenth century when the invented -
ophthalmoscope was invented
The ophthalmoscope was the first instrument that allowed a view of....... - blood vessels inside an organ
without surgery
The first medical specialty to develop a certification process
The ............ administers a testing procedure to assure that every board certified ophthalmologist has
attained a certain level of competence in the field - American Board of Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology - Who provides eye care
Ophthalmologist - Eye physician / Surgeon / Medical eye specialist
Medical doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy (MD or DO)
Specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and medical as well as surgical treatment of vision problems
and eye diseases
Ophthalmologist - First completes medical school
One year internship
At least three years of specialized ophthalmologic training (residency in ophthalmology)
Fellowship option for subspecialty, 1-2 years
Optometrist - Four year course in optometry
, Prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses as well as detect eye disease
In some states optometrists may diagnose and treat some eye diseases although they do not have a
medical degree
Optician - Completes two years of training
Licensed to make or dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses according to prescriptions supplied to them
Registered Nurse - RN completes at least two-four years of education before taking an examination to be
licensed as a registered professional nurse
Ophthalmic Registered Nurses often provide direct care, perform diagnostic testing, provide patient
education, assist in surgery, serve as directors of ophthalmic surgery or clinical services
Orthoptist - Completes an undergraduate degree and then two years of postgraduate training before
passing a national certifying examination
Area of expertise is in testing visual function and in evaluating eye muscle disorders. Assists in diagnosis,
management, and non-surgical treatment of eye muscle imbalance and related visual impairments
Ocularist - Obtain training through apprenticeship to practice highly skilled craft and must pass a
competency examination
Measures and fits patients with prostheses (artificial eyes or shells), which replace a surgically removed
eye or cover a damaged one
Ophthalmic Photographer - CRA, Certified Retinal Angiographer under goes special training and must
pass a competency examination
Takes pictures of eye problems
Trained with camera to do fluorescein angiogram tests with special dye that passes through blood
vessels
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant - Trained on the job or through education program and must pass test to
become certified
Performs tests to provide diagnostic information, administers topical medications or diagnostic drugs
r Ophthalmology - Specialized branch of medicine
Medical and surgical specialty concerned with the eye and surrounding structures, their proper
function, eye diseases and disorders, and all aspects of vision
One of the oldest specialties in medicine dating back to mid nineteenth century when the invented -
ophthalmoscope was invented
The ophthalmoscope was the first instrument that allowed a view of....... - blood vessels inside an organ
without surgery
The first medical specialty to develop a certification process
The ............ administers a testing procedure to assure that every board certified ophthalmologist has
attained a certain level of competence in the field - American Board of Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology - Who provides eye care
Ophthalmologist - Eye physician / Surgeon / Medical eye specialist
Medical doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy (MD or DO)
Specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and medical as well as surgical treatment of vision problems
and eye diseases
Ophthalmologist - First completes medical school
One year internship
At least three years of specialized ophthalmologic training (residency in ophthalmology)
Fellowship option for subspecialty, 1-2 years
Optometrist - Four year course in optometry
, Prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses as well as detect eye disease
In some states optometrists may diagnose and treat some eye diseases although they do not have a
medical degree
Optician - Completes two years of training
Licensed to make or dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses according to prescriptions supplied to them
Registered Nurse - RN completes at least two-four years of education before taking an examination to be
licensed as a registered professional nurse
Ophthalmic Registered Nurses often provide direct care, perform diagnostic testing, provide patient
education, assist in surgery, serve as directors of ophthalmic surgery or clinical services
Orthoptist - Completes an undergraduate degree and then two years of postgraduate training before
passing a national certifying examination
Area of expertise is in testing visual function and in evaluating eye muscle disorders. Assists in diagnosis,
management, and non-surgical treatment of eye muscle imbalance and related visual impairments
Ocularist - Obtain training through apprenticeship to practice highly skilled craft and must pass a
competency examination
Measures and fits patients with prostheses (artificial eyes or shells), which replace a surgically removed
eye or cover a damaged one
Ophthalmic Photographer - CRA, Certified Retinal Angiographer under goes special training and must
pass a competency examination
Takes pictures of eye problems
Trained with camera to do fluorescein angiogram tests with special dye that passes through blood
vessels
Ophthalmic Medical Assistant - Trained on the job or through education program and must pass test to
become certified
Performs tests to provide diagnostic information, administers topical medications or diagnostic drugs
