optician, optometrist, ophthamologist, orthoptist

Try saying optician, optometrist, ophthamologist, orthoptist really fast. Quite a tongue twister!

In an earlier posting, I mentioned that a few therapists & his music teacher advised that his eyes should be tested. I dont think he is long sighted or short sighted as he can see things both far away & tiny things up close. So I never pursued it further.

Upon repeated advice from them, I thought I better do something about it. Since I didnt think he has the usual long/short sightedness problem common to most people, I asked his therapist what exactly he should be tested for. She said "depth perception" because she always notices how he hesistates in walking over from a tiled floor to a vinyl black & white chequered floor.

Depth perception is relied on heavily in activities such as throwing & catching a ball; stepping up/down steps etc. He cant catch a ball. He hesitates in stepping up/down steps he's unfamiliar with. While these point to a depth perception problem, I think it could also be simply due to his cerebral palsy (gross motor problem).

I also noticed that when he draws his zig zag lines it doesnt stay horizontal but slopes downwards to the right. He also seldom writes within the lines when practising writing numbers or letters. He also seldom pastes a sticker within the drawn out designated place. Again, it could be a depth perception issue or just his fine motor problem.

His music teacher pointed out that one reason kids might be hesistant or have slow reflexes is because of vision problems. My son has slow reflexes but it could be due to his CP.

So, best to rule out any vision problems & if there is one, to have it treated early.

So I was on the internet today, finding out about depth perception testing as I have no idea what it involves.

Would it appear threatening to him? Big machines would scare him. A hospital setting would make him very anxious.

Which type of professional performs such tests? I had previously asked my optician about his qualification because he seemed so young. (He's the son of the usual person I went to over a decade ago) Thankfully he wasn't offended and explained the differences between an optician, optometrist & ophthamologist. That was over 2 years ago. I vaguely remembered the differences.

So, after a few hours on the internet, phone calls to 2 mothers, an ophthamologist, an orthoptist, receptionists of another ophthamologist I am still left with one unanswered question. But this is what I found out:

There are very few paediatric ophthamologists in Malaysia. I found one which seemingly good experience ("CV" was posted on the website) & came highly recommended by a mother.

There are probably also very few orthoptists in Malaysia. The one I came to know & spoke to was recommended by my son's ophthamologist.

There are lots of optometrists and even more opticians - just look at the number of specs shops in the malls or in your neighbourhood.

This is what I understand about the differences between an optician, optometrist, ophthamologist, orthoptist:

Ophthamologists are medical doctors (M.D). They've done their medical degree at uni, internship, and further medical & surgical training in eye care. They do the whole works in relation to eye care - eye exam, diagnosis, treatment, management, surgery etc.

Optometrist are not medical doctors. They have though gone to uni for their degree in optometry. They too do eye exams, diagnosis, treatment, management...but not surgery. If you wear glasses, they're the ones at specs shops who diagnose, treat & prescribe your glasses.

Opticians have attended technical courses or attained a diploma. They analyse the prescription, dispense it, reorder previous contact lens prescription, adjust your glasses.

Orthoptist - this term is new to me! My son's ophthamologist referred me to her because she does not perform depth perception testing. An orthoptist is also involved in eye care but in a very specialised area of diagnosing & treating defective eye movement & coordination. This area includes binocular vision problems like squints, double vision, lazy eye, not being able to see in 3D etc.