<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=349453%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=349453</a></p>
<p>Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, and Opticians are all eye care providers whose scopes of practice are defined by the types of training they receive.</p>
<p>An Ophthalmologist is a physician -- an MD or DO -- who has completed a four year undergraduate degree, a four-year medical degree followed by a 1-year internship and 3-year (or more) residency in ophthalmology.</p>
<p>Ophthalmologists (MD or DO) can:
-- prescribe glasses and contact lenses
-- diagnose eye abnormalities and disease
-- treat all eye conditions and disease, including those of the surrounding flesh, bones, and muscle with surgery (conventional and laser surgery), medications, etc.
-- diagnose other conditions and illnesses based on symptoms evident in the eyes and refer patients to another appropriate physician for treatment
--fit, adjust and dispense eyeglasses</p>
<p>An Optometrist is not a medical doctor, but receives the degree of OD at a 4-year optometry school after completing four (or sometimes three) years of undergraduate study.</p>
<p>Optometrists (OD) can:
-- prescribe glasses and contact lenses
-- diagnose eye abnormalities and disease
-- treat some types of eye disease
-- diagnose other conditions and illnesses based on symptoms evident in the eyes and refer patients to another appropriate physician for treatment
--fit, adjust and dispense eyeglasses</p>
<p>An Optician is a technician who has either earned a 2-year optician degree from a community college or has learned while on the job.</p>
<p>Opticians can:
--fit, adjust and dispense eyeglasses</p>
<p>Can optometrists do minor surgeries, laser surgeries, or intraocular surgeries?</p>
<p>In 49 of 50 states, it is illegal for optometrists to do any of the above. In Oklahoma, because of aggressive optometry lobbying, optometrists (OD) may perform some laser procedures. A recent OK bill will permit OK optometrists to become ophthalmologists with the Optometry Board deciding which surgeries can and cannot be done. This sets a dangerous precedent for a non-surgical specialty to form its own surgical board. In the VA, OK optometrists were performing laser procedures and minor surgeries on veterans. </p>
<p>Salary</p>
<p>Basically $300,000 vs $100,000 after a couple of years.</p>
<p>A good website for salaries: pretty accurate, average-wise esp the middle column
<a href="http://www.allied-physicians.com/sal...n-salaries.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.allied-physicians.com/sal...n-salaries.htm</a></p>
<p>Salary for optometrist <a href="http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/l...C07000340.html%5B/url%5D">http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/l...C07000340.html</a></p>
<p>What is the lifestyle of a practicing ophthalmologist?
Because most surgeries are now outpatient procedures, most ophthalmologists can adhere to regular clinic hours, e.g. 8 AM - 5 PM. Practices vary, but most will devote 2-3 days per week in clinic and 1-2 days per week for operating time. Call is usually shared among physicians within the practice, and any major traumas or problems usually get referred to a teaching hospital if available.</p>
<p>How much do ophthalmologists make?
This greatly varies depending on the setting you practice in. Academic and military physicians usually make half to two-thirds of what private practicing ophthalmologist can make. If one is in a practice that owns an ambulatory surgical center, then the earning potential is higher because these physicians bill for both the surgery and the use of the surgical center. The answer to this question can be answered here:</p>