[charlesbahn]

I'm an ophthalmologist. That means I am a physician (went to medical school, did an internship (general surgery), then did an ophthalmology residency; then additional specialty training in cornea problems and glaucoma. Opticians make glasses. Optometrists go to optometry school. We all offer eye care at some level.

Eye care is changing. Many practices are being bought up by private equity. The emphasis is becoming largely how many patients can you see, and generate extra income doing some tests- tests that are not insurance covered and require out of pocket payment are financially (not medically) best.

Dilating the eyes takes time and patients often don't like it; and the doctor generally does not get paid more for doing it. But is it essential for a comprehensive evaluation of the back of the eye. The digital pictures are basically a screening tool, they do no show the far retina which is where there most significant problems usually occur (retinal holes and tears). Often these can only be detected by looking directly at the retina while gently pushing on the eye (scleral depression).

If your eye care provider does not regularly dilate your pupils, you should seek eye care elsewhere.

Charles