Differences Between Ophthalmology and Optometry

hundreds of students continue to try their luck in health and medicine despite the difficult entry conditions and the long and expensive education process. Among the most important reasons for this, excellent study abroad opportunities, richness of practical and theoretical education at world-renowned universities, research studies, high earnings and your diploma that allows you to work anywhere in the world are big. Another and important reason for those who decide to study in this field is the spiritual gain that will add to you by the feeling of saving people's lives and helping them. In our article, we have included those who are often confused about Ophthalmology Expert Witness and optometry in the field of health and medicine!

Why Ophthalmology and Optometry Education?

It will be an exciting experience to study eyes and vision disorders, which are the most sensitive parts of our body, to look after people who need help in this regard, and also to work in academic and laboratory-based positions. While students studying both in ophthalmology and optometry gain competence in subjects related to eyes, eye care, eye diseases and disorders, there are differences in both educational practices and career and income potential between the two professions. Studying in ophthalmology and optometry abroad will have numerous opportunities for students. We can list them as follows;

• Examining new technologies and medical treatment methods first hand
• Having common professional skills such as working under pressure, problem solving, working in a multidisciplinary team
• Postgraduate and academic career opportunities
• Worldwide job opportunities
• High salary

What is ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology, Greek 'ophthalmic' eyes and that' logos' 'so grip is derived from the word meaning learning. When we say what ophthalmology is, we can say that it is a medical science that deals with the structure, operation, treatment of eye diseases and surgery. The range of problems encountered within ophthalmology is very wide and covers all age ranges. In addition, this includes the animal eye structure, which stands out with its resemblance to the human eye. Common issues include trauma, cataracts, congenital and genetic eye diseases, and diabetic eye disease. 

 You can browse the best universities that provide ophthalmology education abroad, contact institutions and get advice. 

What is optometry?

What is optometry, we can say that "it is the specialty of health and medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of medical disorders or abnormalities of the eye and visual systems." Optometry detects visual problems and eye-related diseases, injuries and ailments and gives students who want to study in this field competence in all processes from eye examination to vision testing, from near and farsightedness to astigmatism, from prescribing glasses and contact lenses to wearing them. 

Section content and entry requirements

The most obvious difference between ophthalmologists and optometrists who specialize in eyes and vision systems is that ophthalmologists have a surgical license and can perform eye-related surgeries. Ophthalmology and optometry, which are among the most preferred departments abroad, have a long medical education process. The duration of medical education abroad varies between 4 and 7 years depending on the countries. For example, it is completed in 5 years in England and the first 2 years are completed with theoretical training at your school and the next 3 years with practice at the university hospital. When you complete your medical education, one year internship for ophthalmology and then at least 3 years in the hospital is required. 

In America, candidates who want to apply to a medical school are required to complete their 4-year undergraduate education in any field in their country, among which biology, chemistry, physics or mathematics will have priority. You must complete 4 years of medical training, followed by a one-year internship for ophthalmology and optometry, and at least 3 years of hospital-based education. You will also need the test results of international medical admissions exams such as MCAT in countries such as America, Canada, and IMAT in Italy. 

The qualities you will have

• Comforting anxious patients and strong interpersonal communication skills
• Tendency to teamwork
• Good organizational and management skills
• Dexterity and precision
• The ability to use complex equipment

Career differences

The health of the eyes and routine eye control situations that do not require special medical or surgical treatment are the responsibility of optometrists. Accordingly, optometrists assist in the medical treatment of eye problems such as dry eye and eye infections and some chronic eye diseases such as glaucoma. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, can both medically manage the problem and perform eye surgery or both. Often optometrists and ophthalmologists work together, and optometrists are often the first to see ophthalmologists with an eye condition. We can list the working areas of ophthalmologists and optometrists as state-owned research universities, hospitals and clinics. 

What do optometrists do?

• Eye examination
• Diagnosis of the disease
• Treating eye conditions such as fibroids or astigmatism
• Vision test
• Prescribing glasses and contact lenses

Responsibilities of ophthalmologists 

To become an ophthalmologist, students studying medicine abroad must take a one-year internship after graduation, and at least three years of hospital-based training. At the same time, most ophthalmologists complete one or two years of additional training in one of the other subspecialties such as glaucoma, retina, cornea, pediatrics, neurology and plastic surgery after ophthalmology training. This additional training and knowledge prepares an ophthalmologist to pay attention to more complex or specific conditions in certain areas of the eye or specific patient groups. New graduates studying ophthalmology;

The types of surgery performed by ophthalmologists are as follows;

• Cataract surgery
• Glaucoma surgery
• Retinal disorder surgeries
• Strabotomy
• Corneal transplant

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post Joined: November 19th, 2020