Chapter 27
Ophthalmic Care
Health Care
Science
Technology
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Objectives
Compare the roles and
responsibilities of the optometrist
and ophthalmologist.
 Summarize the role and
responsibilities of an orthoptist.
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2
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Chapter 27
Objectives (cont.)
Describe the roles and responsibilities
of ophthalmic medical personnel.
 Research ophthalmic career
opportunities that involve preparation
and fitting of corrective lenses.
 Successfully complete 3 ophthalmic
procedures.

3
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 27
Careers in Ophthalmology 27-1
The Optometrist and the
Ophthalmologist
 Orthoptist
 Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (OMP)
 Preparation and Fitting of Corrective
Lenses

4
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Chapter 27
The Optometrist and the
Ophthalmologist

The Job of the Optometrist
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Use instruments and
observation to examine eye
health.
Test client’s visual acuity,
visual depth, and color
perception.
Test ability to coordinate and
focus the eye.
Prescribe eyeglasses and
contact lenses.
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Chapter 27
The Optometrist and the
Ophthalmologist (cont.)

The Job of the Optometrist (cont.)
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Provide vision therapy and rehabilitation.
Administer drugs to aid in the diagnosis of
vision problems.
Prescribe drugs to treat some eye diseases.
Diagnose eye conditions due to other
diseases such as diabetes and high blood
pressure.
Refer clients to other health care
practitioners.
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Chapter 27
The Optometrist and the
Ophthalmologist (cont.)

Optometrist Specialty Areas
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Working with the elderly, children, or partiallysighted clients.
Developing ways to protect workers’ eyes from onthe-job strain or injury.
Providing contact lenses, sports vision, or vision
therapy.
Teaching optometry or performing research.
Working with ophthalmologists to provide pre- and
postoperative care.
Working as consultants for industrial safety
programs, insurance companies, and manufacturers
of ophthalmic products.
Chapter 27
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The Optometrist and the
Ophthalmologist (cont.)

The Job of the
Ophthalmologist
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Can perform any or all of
the duties of an
optometrist.
Can treat eye injuries.
Can perform eye surgery.
Most common eye
surgery is the removal of
cataracts, cloudy areas
on the eye lens.
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Chapter 27
The Optometrist and the
Ophthalmologist (cont.)

Corrective Eye Surgery
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Can correct the following vision
disorders:
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Nearsightedness, or myopia, which
results in defective vision of distant
objects.
Farsightedness, or hyperopia, which
results in defective near vision.
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Chapter 27
The Optometrist and the
Ophthalmologist (cont.)

Corrective Eye Surgery (cont.)
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Techniques being developed to
correct the following:
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10
Astigmatism – a condition caused by an
irregularly shaped cornea, resulting in
blurred vision.
Presbyopia – the inability of the eye
lens to focus incoming light, common in
people over 40.
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Chapter 27
The Optometrist and the
Ophthalmologist (cont.)

LASIK – laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis
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11
Surgery using cool, ultraviolet light on the cornea, the
transparent anterior portion of the outer layer of the
eyeball.
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Chapter 27
Orthoptist

12
Diagnoses and treats clients
with amblyopia, strabismus,
defects in eye movements,
and binocular vision.
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Chapter 27
Orthoptist (cont.)

Usually works with an ophthalmologist,
performing any or all of the following:
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Evaluates vision and ocular alignment
using special examination techniques.
Measures visual acuity, ability to focus, and
the movement of the eyes.
Checks near vision and depth perception.
Estimates the eyeglass correction.
Performs glaucoma tests.
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Chapter 27
Orthoptist (cont.)
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Evaluates color vision.
Assists in ophthalmic surgery.
Teaches children and their parents
exercises to strengthen eye muscles.
Researches current methods of treatment,
devises new modes of exercises, and
increases the understanding of binocular
vision.
Teaches orthoptics in hospitals or clinics.
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Chapter 27
Ophthalmic Medical
Personnel (OMP)
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15
Work under the direction of an ophthalmologist
or optometrist as an assistant.
Collect data, dispense treatments ordered, and
supervise clients.
Take ophthalmic photographs or use ultrasound.
An ophthalmic technologist may provide
instruction and supervise other workers.
Expected to perform at a higher skill level than
ophthalmic assistants.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 27
Ophthalmic Medical
Personnel (OMP) (cont.)

The Job of Ophthalmic Medical
Personnel
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16
Take medical history and perform diagnostic
tests.
Take measurements of the eye and
surrounding tissue.
Test visual acuity and ocular fields.
Perform all the ophthalmologic tests
necessary for preliminary and highly specific
eye tests.
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Chapter 27
Ophthalmic Medical
Personnel (OMP) (cont.)

17
The Job of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel
(cont.)
– Administer topical ophthalmic and oral
medications.
– Instruct the client in care and use of contact
lenses.
– Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments.
– Assist with ophthalmic surgery.
– Assist with fitting contact lenses.
– Provide supervision and instruction to other
ophthalmic medical personnel.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 27
Preparation and Fitting
of Corrective Lenses
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
18
Ophthalmic laboratory
technicians are also known as
manufacturing opticians,
optical mechanics, or optical
goods workers.
They cut, grind, edge, and
finish lenses according to
specifications given by
dispensing opticians,
optometrists, or
ophthalmologists.
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Chapter 27
Preparation and Fitting
of Corrective Lenses (cont.)

The Job of Dispensing Opticians
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Examine written prescriptions to
determine lens specifications.
Recommend eyeglass frames, lenses,
and lens coatings.
Measure clients’ eyes, including the
distance between the centers of the
pupils and the distance between the eye
surface and the lens.
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Chapter 27
Preparation and Fitting
of Corrective Lenses (cont.)

The Job of Dispensing Opticians (cont.)
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20
Prepare work orders that give ophthalmic
laboratory technicians the information
they need.
Grind and insert lenses.
Verify that the lenses have been ground
to specifications.
Reshape the frame so that the eyeglasses
fit the client.
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Chapter 27
Preparation and Fitting
of Corrective Lenses (cont.)

The Job of Dispensing Opticians (cont.)
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Fix, adjust, and refit broken frames.
Instruct clients about adapting to,
wearing, or caring for eyeglasses.
Keep records on customer
prescriptions, work orders, and
payments.
Track inventory and sales and perform
other administrative duties.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 27
Section 27-1
Apply Your Knowledge
What is used to perform LASIK
surgery?
Answer:
A laser, which consists of a cool ultraviolet
light beam.
22
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Chapter 27
Procedures in Ophthalmic Care 27-2

23
Additional Career Skills
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 27
Additional Career Skills

In addition to testing for visual acuity,
measuring color vision, and caring for
eyeglasses, ophthalmic care staff
members may perform other skills such
as instilling eye drops.
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Eye drops are used to dilate the pupils or treat
disease.
Care should be taken to avoid errors when
instilling eye drops.
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 27
Section 27-2
Apply Your Knowledge
What disease is treated using eye
drops?
Answer:
Glaucoma.
25
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Chapter 27
Procedures in Student Text
27A
27B
27C
26
Measuring Visual Acuity
Testing Color Vision
Caring for Eyeglasses
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Chapter 27
Additional Procedures in
Lab Activity Manual
LM27-1
27
Instilling Eye Drops
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Chapter 27
Chapter 27 Credits
Slide 5
Slide 8
Slide 18
28
Terry Wild Studio
Dr. P. Marazzi/SPL/Photo
Researchers
Ken Lax Photography
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Chapter 27