F
Eye and Vision Care Professionals and Education
Profession | Definition | Education and Training Requirements (all) | Examples of Professional Responsibilities |
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Ophthalmologist | An allopathic (M.D.) or osteopathic (D.O.) medical physician who specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of ophthalmic disorders (AAPOS, 2011). |
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Profession | Definition | Education and Training Requirements (all) | Examples of Professional Responsibilities |
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cornea and external disease, low vision, neuro-ophthalmology, plastic surgery, or pediatrics, among others (AAO, 2013). |
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Optometrist | A doctor of optometry (O.D.) who provides primary care of the eye and visual system (AAO, 2013). |
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Orthopist | Accredited professional (C.O.) who generally works under ophthalmologists or neuro-ophthalmologists and focuses on the examination and treatment of eye movements abnormalities (AAPOS, 2016). |
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Profession | Definition | Education and Training Requirements (all) | Examples of Professional Responsibilities |
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Optician | A technician who designs, fits, and dispenses corrective lenses for the correction of a person’s vision (AAPOS, 2011). |
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Neuroophthalmologists | Allopathic or osteopathic physicians who complete residencies in either neurology or ophthalmology and a subspecialty (AAO, 2013). |
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Low Vision Therapist | Develops and conducts vision functional assessment tests of everyday tasks for those with low vision (AHRQ, 2004). |
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Profession | Definition | Education and Training Requirements (all) | Examples of Professional Responsibilities |
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Low Vision Occupational Therapists | An occupational therapy practitioner who helps people with low vision to function at the highest possible level (AOTA, 2011). |
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Orientation and Mobility Specialist | Professional responsible for evaluating mobility capacity and teaching patients how to get oriented and navigate through their environments (AHRQ, 2004). |
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Vision Rehabilitation Therapist | Professional responsible for evaluating functional capabilities and teaching behavioral and environmental adaptations to overcome vision disabilities. (AHRQ, 2004). |
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REFERENCES
AACO (American Association of Certified Orthoptists). 2015. Qualifications and training. http://orthoptics.org/become-an-orthoptist/qualifications-training (accessed January 11, 2016).
AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology). 2011. Differences in education between optometrists and ophthalmologists. http://www.aao.org/about/policies/differences-education-optometrists-ophthalmologists (accessed March 29, 2016).
———. 2013. What is an ophthalmologist? http://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/what-is-ophthalmologist (accessed January 12, 2016).
AAPOS (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus). 2011. Difference between an ophthalmologist, optometrist and optician. http://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/132 (accessed January 12, 2016).
———. 2016. Orthoptist/orthoptics. http://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/85 (accessed January 12, 2016).
ACVREP (Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals). 2014a. Orientation and mobility specialist certification handbook. Tucson, AZ: Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals.
———. 2014b. Vision rehabilitation therapist certification handbook. Tucson, AZ: Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals.
———. 2015. Certified low vision therapist (CLVT) handbook, section 2—Scope of practice for low vision therapists. https://www.acvrep.org/ascerteon/control/certifications/clvt-scope (accessed January 12, 2016).
AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality). 2004. Vision rehabilitation for elderly individuals with low vision or blindness. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coverage/InfoExchange/downloads/rtcvisionrehab.pdf (accessed June 29, 2016).
AOA (American Optometric Association). 2012. What is a doctor of optometry? http://www.aoa.org/about-the-aoa/what-is-a-doctor-of-optometry?sso=y (accessed January 12, 2016).
AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association). 2011. Occupational therapy services for persons with visual impairment.https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/PA/Facts/Low%20Vision%20fact%20sheet.pdf (accessed June 29, 2016).
———. 2016. FAQ on OT education and career planning. http://www.aota.org/educationcareers/considering-ot-career/faqs/planning.aspx (accessed January 12, 2016).
BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics). 2015. Occupational therapists. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm (accessed January 12, 2016).
FCC (Fellowship Compliance Committee of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology). 2013. Program requirements for fellowship education in neuro-ophthalmology. http://www.aupofcc.org/subspecialties/neuro/neuro_guidelines.pdf (accessed June 29, 2016).
National Board of Examiners of Optometry. 2016. Welcome to the NBEO website. http://www.optometry.org/president.cfm (accessed March 29, 2016).
OAA (Opticians Association of America). 2016. Becoming an optician. http://www.oaa.org/opticianry-defined/becoming-an-optician (accessed January 12, 2016).
ORMatch. 2016. List of participating programs. https://www.natmatch.com/ormatch/instdirp/aboutproglist.html (accessed April 8, 2016).
Weill Cornell Medical College. n.d. Neuro-ophthalmology. http://weillcornelleye.org/services/neuro.html (accessed April 8, 2016).
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