Journal of health politics, policy and law
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J Health Polit Policy Law · Jan 1981
Vision care for the nation's elderly: a plea for policy direction.
Eye care services are largely provided by two professional groups--optometrists and ophthalmologists. Professional rivalry between the two exists mainly because both are in direct competition for patients with routine diagnostic and treatment needs. ⋯ Medicare specifically excludes routine eye care and refractive services, but includes diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease. This article examines the impact of eye care benefit exclusions and restrictions and their effect upon the use of ophthalmological and optometric services by the elderly.