What training does an optometrist complete?
After attending a university or college for their undergraduate education, optometry students concentrate specifically on the structure, function and disorders of the eye for four additional years during their graduate education to earn their doctoral degree. While concentrating on the eye and visual system, optometrists also study general health in courses such as human anatomy, biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology. In addition to their formal, doctoral-level training, all optometrists participate in ongoing continuing education courses to stay current on the latest standards of care and to maintain their licenses to practice. Optometry is one of the only doctoral-level health care professions to require continuing education in every state for license renewal.
I am a Board Certified Optometrist in the State of Florida. I also hold a license in the State of Kentucky. I have personally had 4 years of college, 4 years of optometry school, and two years of residency, (10 years in total) one of which at the #1 eye hospital in the world (Bascom Palmer Eye in Miami, Florida) where I trained directly with Ophthalmologists that write the textbooks that all other Ophthalmologists learn from. I personally diagnose and treat eye disease, prescribe medications, perform minor surgical procedures, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, educate patients with regards to their diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, blood thinning management, strokes, tumors, epilepsy…..ALSO, most Optometrists will complete the ENTIRE comprehensive eye exam by themselves (personal care) whereas with the Ophthalmologist a technician will complete the majority (90%) of the exam, writes the glasses prescription, etc. Basically, a GOOD optometrist can do EVERYTHING than an Ophthalmologist (MD) can do….with exception of taking you to an operating room and performing surgery under Sedation. I hope I have helped to clear the muddy waters that plague our profession.
ALSO, our examinations cost much LESS!!!!
