Soroka M
Center for Vision Care Policy, State College of Optometry, State University of New York, NY 10010.
Public Health Rep. 1991 Jul-Aug;106(4):455-9.
A national telephone survey of eye care practitioners shows that the average fee for routine eye examinations was less among optometrists than ophthalmologists. The average wait for the earliest appointment was 5 days for optometrists and 20 days for ophthalmologists. Weekend and evening appointments were also more obtainable among optometrists. The study did not determine what tests were included in the routine examination of each practitioner. Optometrists are licensed to use diagnostic drugs in all 50 States and prescribe therapeutic drugs for the treatment of ocular diseases in 25 States. Legislation that would update State laws permitting doctors of optometry to prescribe and use pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of eye diseases has been introduced in many of the remaining States. Supporters of bills permitting therapeutic pharmaceutical optometry contend that these changes would ensure the availability of quality eye care at significant savings, since optometric fees are generally lower than ophthalmological fees. In addition, it has been argued that optometrists are equitably distributed geographically and are more likely to have weekend and evening office hours, thus enabling increased patient access to eye care. When considering cost-effectiveness and accessibility, this study may provide information to those States considering changes in the scope of optometric licensure.
一项针对眼科护理从业者的全国性电话调查显示，验光师进行常规眼部检查的平均费用低于眼科医生。验光师最早预约的平均等待时间为5天，而眼科医生为20天。验光师提供的周末和晚间预约也更多。该研究未确定每位从业者的常规检查包括哪些测试。在所有50个州，验光师都有使用诊断药物的执照，在25个州，验光师可以开治疗眼部疾病的治疗药物。许多其余的州已经出台了更新州法律的立法，允许验光师开处方和使用药物治疗眼部疾病。支持治疗性药物验光法案的人认为，这些改变将确保以大幅节省的费用提供高质量的眼部护理，因为验光师的费用通常低于眼科医生的费用。此外，有人认为验光师在地理上分布均衡，更有可能在周末和晚上办公，从而使患者有更多机会获得眼部护理。在考虑成本效益和可及性时，这项研究可能会为那些考虑改变验光师执照范围的州提供信息。
