Questions for optometrists and ophthalmologist?

Question

I am going to be a freshman at Texas A&M and i plan to major in Biology...afterwards i want to become an optometrist...but recently i have become interested in things such as lasik surgery...can i be an optometrist who can perform lasik or do i have to take the extra years of school and become an ophthalmologist?...If i do become an ophthalmologist, how many years of residency do i have to do...and do i get paid during that residency? Also, i'm sure i can handle lasik surgery, but aparently there are alot more types of eye surgery and muscle surgery. Do yall every have any problems with the "disturbing" things you might have to do to an eye? I know i can become an optometrist but am not sure if i should continue to become an ophthalmologist, only because of the four extra years, and some of the surgery procedures....any advice would be greatly appreciated, even if it is about something i didn't mention in this...thanks!!

Answer 1

Eli,  you ask some good questions.

The only state that allows optometrists to perform surgery is Oklahoma.

Ophthalmology residency is usually 2 years and you usually receive a meager stipend not a salary.

Most surgeons condition themselves to look at the mechanical nature of the eye and detach themselves from the reality that there is a person attached;  to remove themselves from the blood or other "disturbing" things.

As an optometrist in Florida for 23 years, I am certified to do minor surgery in the office (e.g. remove an embedded wood chip or metal fragment from the cornea, lance a cyst on the conjunctiva or unblock a tear duct.)

I treat glaucoma, write antibiotic presciptions and help many people see and look better every day.

Optometrists in all 50 states do much more than fit glasses and contact lenses.  I am even on staff at a local hospital and get called in to evaluate brain injured patients.

Good luck with your decision.