What is a Pediatric Ophthalmologist vs Pediatric Optometrist?

Dr. Ledoux and Dr. Doshi are Pediatric Ophthalmologists and Dr. Johnson is a Pediatric Optometrist.  Drs. Ledoux, Doshi and Johnson work together closely, and may co-manage patients so that each patient can benefit from the collective expertise of the practice.

Pediatric Ophthalmologist 

An Ophthalmologist is a physician (doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy) who specializes in the comprehensive care of the eyes and visual system, and who is licensed by a state regulatory board to practice medicine and surgery. 

An Ophthalmologist has completed at least four years of college premedical education, four years of medical school, a one year internship in medicine, a three year residency in ophthalmology and a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus.

An ophthalmologist is a medically-trained specialist who is qualified to diagnose, treat, and manage all eye and visual system problems.  As Pediatric Ophthalmologists, Dr. Ledoux and Dr. Doshi are specially trained to provide comprehensive vision and eye health examinations to children (including prescribing eye glasses), sensorimotor examination, diagnosis of eye disease, medical and surgical management of eye conditions and disease, and diagnosis and co-management of systemic disease.  Likewise, their fellowship training makes them a tertiary specialist (other eyecare providers refer their strabismus cases to them) in the management of adult strabismus.

Pediatric Optometrist 

An Optometrist is a health care professional trained and state licensed to provide primary eye care services. 

An Optometrist has completed at least four years of college premedical education and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree.  A “Pediatric” Optometrist has completed an additional residency program in pediatric optometry.

As a Pediatric Optometrist, Dr. Johnson is specially trained to provide the following: comprehensive vision and eye health examinations (including prescribing eye glasses and evaluation and management of strabismus and amblyopia); fitting and prescribing contact lenses; vision therapy; and diagnosis and management of eye disease using topical medications. 

Insurance

Drs. Ledoux, Doshi and Johnson are credentialed with most medical insurance plans.  

Patients are more likely to be able to use “Routine” vision benefits when seen by Dr. Johnson.

Dr. Johnson can bill “Vision Plans” such as Davis Vision when appropriate.  Dr. Ledoux and Dr. Doshi are not credentialled with Vision plans.

Vision plans are often separate from medical insurance plans and cover benefits specific to “routine” eye care (exams and glasses).  Vision plans do not cover the evaluation and management of medical diagnoses.  A failed vision screen indicates that a medical condition may be present which is determined by performing a complete exam of vision and eye health.  

A refraction is the process by which an eyecare provider evaluates an individual for glasses. Performing a refraction in children can be more challenging and time intensive.  Vision plans may cover refractions while most medical insurance plans do not.  In certain cases, when a refraction is medically necessary but not covered by your medical insurance, you may be able to submit the receipt for payment of a refraction to your vision plan for reimbursement.  Please be sure to carefully read your medical and vision insurance plan to better understand the details.

The sensorimotor exam is a diagnostic test, performed during a medical eye evaluation, to further measure eye alignment and binocular function.  Results from the sensorimotor exam are often crucial in adjusting the treatment for individuals with amblyopia and/or strabismus.