u/Blastoisa

Hi. OD3 here wanting to inquire about ocular prosthetics. I know that this falls under an ocularists role but I am wanting to see if ODs have any pathway to fabricating prosthetics as well? As far as I’m aware, we are able to fit prosthetic contact lenses but that is not what I am particularly interested in.

Have any of you known or could provide sources of any ODs working with prosthetics or potentially fabricating them themselves? Or anything else y’all could tell me about what we’re able to do with them? Any residency pathways that could lead to prosthetic work?

I am an OD3 here in the states so this question is primarily directed at the healthcare system in the US. Could a non-ophthalmology MD/DO refract and prescribe glasses/contacts if they wanted to? I’m sure it would vary state by state but I’m just curious. I’m sure they don’t as they’re obviously busy doing other things but if they had proper training (or maybe no training?) in refraction would this be allowed? Is there anything stopping them from doing this or have you personally seen it happen?