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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Committee on Public Health Approaches to Reduce Vision Impairment and Promote Eye Health; Welp A, Woodbury RB, McCoy MA, et al., editors. Making Eye Health a Population Health Imperative: Vision for Tomorrow. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2016 Sep 15.

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Making Eye Health a Population Health Imperative: Vision for Tomorrow.

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FEye and Vision Care Professionals and Education

ProfessionDefinitionEducation and Training Requirements (all)Examples of Professional Responsibilities
OphthalmologistAn allopathic (M.D.) or osteopathic (D.O.) medical physician who specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of ophthalmic disorders (AAPOS, 2011).
  • 4 years of medical school (same education as primary care physicians, pediatricians, surgeons, etc.) (required).
  • Medical licensure examination by the U.S. Medical Licensure Examination by the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners.
  • 1 year of internal medicine or surgery residency (same as surgeons and other medically trained physicians) (required).
  • 3 years of ophthalmology residency with required volumes of surgical procedures performed and patient examinations (required).
  • Board certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology of American Board of Medical Specialties.
  • Eligible for Federal Drug Enforcement Agency license.
  • State licensure (AAO, 2011).
  • Provide the full spectrum of eye care, ranging from primary care to the surgical care of patients with complex ophthalmic disorders in all 50 states.
  • “Diagnoses and treat all eye diseases, [and] perform eye surgery” (AAO, 2013).
  • “Prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct [additional] vision problems” (AAO, 2013).
  • Conduct scientific research on the causes and cures for eye diseases and vision disorders (AAPOS, 2011).
  • May specialize in a specific area of medical or surgical eye care, such as glaucoma, cornea and external disease, low vision, neuro-ophthalmology, plastic surgery, or pediatrics, among others (AAO, 2013).
OptometristA doctor of optometry (O.D.) who provides primary care of the eye and visual system (AAO, 2013).
  • 4 years of optometry school (required).
  • Optometric licensure examination by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) (National Board of Examiners of Optometry, 2016).
  • Additional board certification by the American Board of Optometry and/or NBEO board certification (optional).
  • Some optometrists complete an optional residency in a specific area of practice (e.g., pediatric optometry, vision therapy and rehabilitation, etc.) (ORMatch, 2016).
  • State licensure.
  • Examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system and the eye (AOA, 2012).
  • Prescribe medications and, as needed, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapies, and can, in two states, perform certain surgical procedures (AOA, 2012).
  • Prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems.
  • Conduct scientific research on vision and the visual system.
OrthopistAccredited professional (C.O.) who generally works under ophthalmologists or neuroophthalmologists and focuses on the examination and treatment of eye movements abnormalities (AAPOS, 2016).
  • 2 years of training and clinical work at a program accredited by American Association of Certified Orthoptists (AOC).
  • National certification from AOC (AAPOS, 2016).
  • Liaison between the ophthalmologist and patient (AACO, 2015).
  • Assist with patient evaluation, formation of a differential diagnosis, and subsequent patient care (AACO, 2015). Engage in clinical research and the teaching of medical students, orthoptic students, and residents (AACO, 2015; AAPOS 2016).
OpticianA technician who designs, fits, and dispenses corrective lenses for the correction of a person's vision (AAPOS, 2011).
  • Formal job training program, certificate program, or associate's degree. Associate's degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Opticianry (OAA, 2016).
  • Certification by American Board of Opticianry (optional).
  • Certification by National Contact Lens Examiners (optional).
  • State licensure required in 23 states (OAA, 2016). States may also require a state written exam, state practical exam, or certification exam.
  • Uses prescriptions supplied by ophthalmologists or optometrists to fit eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other eyewear (AAPOS, 2011).
  • Do not diagnose or treat eye diseases.
NeuroophthalmologistsAllopathic or osteopathic physicians who complete residencies in either neurology or ophthalmology and a sub-specialty (AAO, 2013).
  • In addition to the requirements for an ophthalmologist or neurologist, neuroophthalmologists must complete a fellowship. Fellowships approved by the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Fellowship Compliance Committee must be at least 12 months long, in addition to other requirements (FCC, 2013).
  • Specialists in visual problems that relate to the nervous system, usually by way of injury from “trauma, inflammation, strokes, tumors, toxicities, and infections” (Weill Cornell Medical College, n.d.).
Low Vision TherapistDevelops and conducts vision functional assessment tests of everyday tasks for those with low vision (AHRQ, 2004).
  • Bachelor's degree with emphasis on vision rehabilitation or bachelor's degree with proof of basic competency in all core areas. Certification from Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) (AHRQ, 2004).
  • Work under the direction of an ophthalmologist or optometrist to provide clinical low vision evaluation, assist with treatment plans, and provide instruction for use of adaptive equipment (ACVREP, 2015).
Low Vision Occupational TherapistsAn occupational therapy practitioner who helps people with low vision to function at the highest possible level (AOTA, 2011).
  • Master's degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.
  • National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy certification (AOTA, 2016).
  • State license.
  • Specialty certification in low vision occupational therapy from the American Occupational Therapy Association (optional) (AOTA, 2011).
  • Work with individuals with disabilities or medical conditions to help develop skills needed for independent, daily function (BLS, 2015).
  • For vision impairment, occupational therapists focus on the promotion of independence and participation in valued activities (AOTA, 2011) through task or environmental modification, education about use of adaptive devices and assistive technology, and assistance using remaining vision (AOTA, 2011).
  • May specialize in areas of practice such as environmental modifications or pediatrics upon certification (AOTA, 2016).
Orientation and Mobility SpecialistProfessional responsible for evaluating mobility capacity and teaching patients how to get oriented and navigate through their environments (AHRQ, 2004).
  • “Bachelor's degree . . . with emphasis in orientation and mobility” or bachelor's degree and completion of an orientation and mobility certification preparation program (AHRQ, 2004, p. 163).
  • ACVREP certified orientation and mobility specialist certificate.
  • Assist visually impaired individuals to use remaining vision and senses to determine their orientation and position and negotiate safe movement (ACVREP, 2014a).
Vision Rehabilitation TherapistProfessional responsible for evaluating functional capabilities and teaching behavioral and environmental adaptations to overcome vision disabilities. (AHRQ, 2004).
  • Bachelor's degree with emphasis in vision rehabilitation therapy or bachelor's degree with post-secondary education demonstrating knowledge of ACVREP vision rehabilitation therapist knowledge domain areas (ACVREP, 2014b).
  • Certification from ACVREP.
  • Develop individualized rehabilitation plans and teach visually impaired individuals how to use compensatory skills and assistive technology in an effort to enhance opportunities for career and educational development and independent living (ACVREP, 2014b).

REFERENCES

Copyright 2016 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Bookshelf ID: NBK402381
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