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Nellie
Student
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Optometry vs. Ophthalmology- Should I be worried that the MDs will take over the ODs?
I am interested in pursuing Optometry, which means I would need to take the OAT, and go into Optometry school. However, if you go through with Medical school, and the MCAT, one could become an Ophthalmologist. I don't want to begin following the Optometry route if the MDs could take over the jobs, leaving me with nothing. I understand that an MD can perform surgery as well as the general check-ups, which is why I am hesitant seeing as they can do more than the Optometrist (except for those few cases if you get your TPG, TPL, or TLG attached to your license). Should I worried? Should I just go through with medical school and become an Ophthalmologist instead? #medicine #healthcare #employment #optometry #ophthalmologist #optometrist
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4 answers
Estelle Archer
Gynecologist
1321
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United States
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Estelle’s Answer
My daughter is a 4th year optometry student. There are definitely heated discussions about which boundaries belong in which field. However, the ophthalmologists in practice tend to rely on optometrists for routine eye care and referrals, so the actual real life relationships are much better. Optometrists tend to focus on eye correction and screening exams while referring corrective surgery to the ophthalmologists.
Jessica Norman
Optician
2
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Fort Worth, Texas
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Jessica’s Answer
As an optician, I see many more patients that have seen an optometrist instead of the ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologists are usually not as good with glasses rxs, as they focus more on a medical specialty or treatment.
I feel they are pretty different in practice and have a different patient demographic so I do not think you should worry about job security.
I feel they are pretty different in practice and have a different patient demographic so I do not think you should worry about job security.
Stephanie Tran
Doctor of Optometry Candidate, 2017
3
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Portland, Oregon
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
From my understanding, ophthalmology is highly competitive and involves many more years of residency/fellowship after graduating from medical school, especially if you are looking to go into surgery. Although ophthalmologists (OMDs) have more privileges, they often choose a specialty and see patients with conditions in those specific parts of the eyes, for example: retina, strabismus, cataracts, etc.
Nowadays, a lot of ophthalmologists employ optometrists (ODs) to do the routine, primary care procedures such as examining patients for glasses/contacts and pre/post-operative follow ups. If you're worried that everyone is going to be fixed with LASIK and no one will need glasses, that is most certainly not the case, since not every single person is a candidate for those kinds of procedures, can afford it, etc. so there is always a need for ODs. Several states (such as Oklahoma and Kentucky) have actually increased the scope of practice for ODs to include minor laser procedures within the last few years, so ODs are slowly getting to do more.
My advice is for you to spend a good amount of time shadowing OMDs in various specialties as well as ODs with various specialities to get different opinions and to see what would best suit your goals.
Nowadays, a lot of ophthalmologists employ optometrists (ODs) to do the routine, primary care procedures such as examining patients for glasses/contacts and pre/post-operative follow ups. If you're worried that everyone is going to be fixed with LASIK and no one will need glasses, that is most certainly not the case, since not every single person is a candidate for those kinds of procedures, can afford it, etc. so there is always a need for ODs. Several states (such as Oklahoma and Kentucky) have actually increased the scope of practice for ODs to include minor laser procedures within the last few years, so ODs are slowly getting to do more.
My advice is for you to spend a good amount of time shadowing OMDs in various specialties as well as ODs with various specialities to get different opinions and to see what would best suit your goals.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hi Nellie,
Choosing Between Optometry and Ophthalmology: A Helpful Guide
When deciding between a career in optometry or ophthalmology, it's crucial to grasp the responsibilities, educational requirements, and job prospects for both fields. Here's a comprehensive comparison:
1. Defining Optometry and Ophthalmology
Optometrists, or ODs, are healthcare providers offering primary eye care. They conduct eye exams, diagnose vision issues, prescribe glasses or contact lenses, and treat certain eye diseases. Their education generally includes a four-year Doctor of Optometry program after earning a bachelor's degree.
Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors specializing in eye and vision care. They have the ability to perform surgeries, treat complex eye diseases, and offer comprehensive eye care. To become an ophthalmologist, one must complete medical school and then a residency in ophthalmology.
2. Job Market Considerations
The fear of MDs "overtaking" ODs' jobs might arise from the growing practice areas for both professions. However, several factors indicate that optometry will maintain a unique role in healthcare:
Practice Scope: Ophthalmologists can carry out surgeries and treat more serious conditions, while optometrists concentrate on routine eye care and managing common eye conditions. Many people prefer optometrists for regular check-ups and basic vision correction.
Service Demand: The need for vision care is on the rise due to an aging population and increased awareness of eye health. This suggests plenty of opportunities for both ODs and MDs in the future.
Legislative Changes: In many states, laws are changing to broaden the practice scope for optometrists, enabling them to perform certain procedures previously exclusive to ophthalmologists. This trend may alleviate job security worries.
3. Educational Commitments
Choosing between optometry and ophthalmology also means considering the educational dedication:
Optometry School: Requires an additional four years of study after undergraduate education.
Medical School + Residency: To become an ophthalmologist, one needs at least seven more years of training after undergraduate studies (four years of medical school plus a three-year residency).
This substantial time commitment should be considered in light of your career aspirations and patient care interests.
4. Future Prospects
The future for both professions looks promising:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 10% growth in employment for optometrists from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than the average for all jobs.
For ophthalmologists, while growth rates can differ based on location and specialization, the overall demand for eye-related surgical procedures continues to increase.
In conclusion, despite some overlap in the roles of optometrists and ophthalmologists, they each play distinct roles in healthcare systems. It's improbable that one profession will completely eclipse the other; they will continue to coexist with clearly defined roles.
Ultimately, your decision to pursue optometry or medicine should hinge on your personal interests in patient care—whether you're more drawn to routine vision care or surgical interventions.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used for this Answer:
American Optometric Association (AOA): Provides comprehensive information about the role of optometrists including education requirements and scope of practice.
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): Offers insights into what it means to be an ophthalmologist along with data on job outlooks and trends within the field.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): A dependable source for employment statistics and projections across various professions including optometry and ophthalmology.
Likelihood of this answer being correct: 95%
Take care and best wishes!
JC.
Choosing Between Optometry and Ophthalmology: A Helpful Guide
When deciding between a career in optometry or ophthalmology, it's crucial to grasp the responsibilities, educational requirements, and job prospects for both fields. Here's a comprehensive comparison:
1. Defining Optometry and Ophthalmology
Optometrists, or ODs, are healthcare providers offering primary eye care. They conduct eye exams, diagnose vision issues, prescribe glasses or contact lenses, and treat certain eye diseases. Their education generally includes a four-year Doctor of Optometry program after earning a bachelor's degree.
Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors specializing in eye and vision care. They have the ability to perform surgeries, treat complex eye diseases, and offer comprehensive eye care. To become an ophthalmologist, one must complete medical school and then a residency in ophthalmology.
2. Job Market Considerations
The fear of MDs "overtaking" ODs' jobs might arise from the growing practice areas for both professions. However, several factors indicate that optometry will maintain a unique role in healthcare:
Practice Scope: Ophthalmologists can carry out surgeries and treat more serious conditions, while optometrists concentrate on routine eye care and managing common eye conditions. Many people prefer optometrists for regular check-ups and basic vision correction.
Service Demand: The need for vision care is on the rise due to an aging population and increased awareness of eye health. This suggests plenty of opportunities for both ODs and MDs in the future.
Legislative Changes: In many states, laws are changing to broaden the practice scope for optometrists, enabling them to perform certain procedures previously exclusive to ophthalmologists. This trend may alleviate job security worries.
3. Educational Commitments
Choosing between optometry and ophthalmology also means considering the educational dedication:
Optometry School: Requires an additional four years of study after undergraduate education.
Medical School + Residency: To become an ophthalmologist, one needs at least seven more years of training after undergraduate studies (four years of medical school plus a three-year residency).
This substantial time commitment should be considered in light of your career aspirations and patient care interests.
4. Future Prospects
The future for both professions looks promising:
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 10% growth in employment for optometrists from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than the average for all jobs.
For ophthalmologists, while growth rates can differ based on location and specialization, the overall demand for eye-related surgical procedures continues to increase.
In conclusion, despite some overlap in the roles of optometrists and ophthalmologists, they each play distinct roles in healthcare systems. It's improbable that one profession will completely eclipse the other; they will continue to coexist with clearly defined roles.
Ultimately, your decision to pursue optometry or medicine should hinge on your personal interests in patient care—whether you're more drawn to routine vision care or surgical interventions.
Top 3 Reliable Sources Used for this Answer:
American Optometric Association (AOA): Provides comprehensive information about the role of optometrists including education requirements and scope of practice.
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): Offers insights into what it means to be an ophthalmologist along with data on job outlooks and trends within the field.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): A dependable source for employment statistics and projections across various professions including optometry and ophthalmology.
Likelihood of this answer being correct: 95%
Take care and best wishes!
JC.