Are optometrists called "doctors", in the same sense as MDs and DOs ?

[Apple_Pie]

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hi,

I have told several people that I will hopefully be an eye doctor. Then they say an opthamalogist ?. Then I tell them an optometrist. Then they say thats not a doctor.

I had to several times defend my decision to be an optometrist as if it is not a respectable career. So can anybody tell me if optometrists are mostly just called "doctor" or not ?

Also do they get the respect of average people in the same league as DOs get ? Do optometists get more respect then other occupations like Pharmacy or a lawyer ?

 

[RLK]

hi,

I have told several people that I will hopefully be an eye doctor. Then they say an opthamalogist ?. Then I tell them an optometrist. Then they say thats not a doctor.

I had to several times defend my decision to be an optometrist as if it is not a respectable career. So can anybody tell me if optometrists are mostly just called "doctor" or not ?

Also do they get the respect of average people in the same league as DOs get ? Do optometists get more respect then other occupations like Pharmacy or a lawyer ?

The Doctor of Optometry Degree

Earning a Doctor of Optometry Degree requires a Bachelors degree, followed by four years of post-graduate study at one of 17 accredited colleges of optometry. The Doctor of Optometry degree curriculum includes extensive coursework and clinical training in pharmacology, pathology, neurology and the diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease. Upon completion of optometry school, many of today’s graduates elect to specialize through residency programs offered in hospitals and regional specialty clinics.


and more here: http://www.poaeyes.org/html/about_optometry_g.html

 

[Apple_Pie]

Also,

Once I told this guy that I would hopefully become an optometrist, and that idiot told me that optometrists are just "technicians". I was so angry at that guy, even though he was a pharmacist..........

 

[RLK]

Also,

Once I told this guy that I would hopefully become an optometrist, and that idiot told me that optometrists are just "technicians". I was so angry at that guy, even though he was a pharmacist..........

It sounds like these people that you talk to could use an 'Introductory To Optometry' lecture.

 

[Envision]

I do not wish to turn this into a huge argument, so i will try to leave as much room for objectivity as possible. ODs go through 4 years of education with a challenging carriculum and should be rendered the respect it deserves. and yes, i believe it is conventional to call an optometrist a doctor (at least i have always done so). however, judging from your questions, it seems like your also trying to secure your perception of optometry as well. why would it be important if ODs are given as much respect as MDs or DOs? and why should they be given more respect than PharmD, or lawyers? Do pharmDs not undergo a four year education? and lawyers do not really seem to fit the genre here, but im sure you get the gist.

 

[futuredoctorOD]

Also,

Once I told this guy that I would hopefully become an optometrist, and that idiot told me that optometrists are just "technicians". I was so angry at that guy, even though he was a pharmacist..........

Don't worry that pharmacist was a *****. Doctors of Optometry are widely recognized as Eye Doctors-----this is a fact. It makes me wonder if that pharmacist got his degree out of a Cracker Jack Box or if he is just miserable "counting pills." Optometry is a great profession. Shadow a couple docs and you will see first hand. 👍

 

[aphistis]

Don't worry that pharmacist was a *****. Doctors of Optometry are widely recognized as Eye Doctors-----this is a fact. It makes me wonder if that pharmacist got his degree out of a Cracker Jack Box or if he is just miserable "counting pills." Optometry is a great profession. Shadow a couple docs and you will see first hand. 👍

You're absolutely right--the stereotype that optos are little more than dial-flippers is totally off the mark, but the stereotype that pharmacists are just overpaid pill-counters is spot-on accurate. Here, have some more self-serving bias.

 

[Envision]

Don't worry that pharmacist was a *****. Doctors of Optometry are widely recognized as Eye Doctors-----this is a fact. It makes me wonder if that pharmacist got his degree out of a Cracker Jack Box or if he is just miserable "counting pills." Optometry is a great profession. Shadow a couple docs and you will see first hand. 👍

seriously, way to be convincing, child like rhetoric (his degree out of cracker jack box) and indisputable fact (optometry is a great profession). if you want to reach out to an educated audience, i suggest you be a little more sophisticated. bagging on other professions wont get you anywhere.

 

[PreOptMegs]

...the stereotype that pharmacists are just overpaid pill-counters is spot-on accurate.

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with you. My father is a pharmacist and he is constantly having to call up doctors and ask them why the hell they are putting a person on a certain medication because of the different unwanted side reactions that could occur. Just because someone is an MD doesn't make them anymore less human. Doctors know medications, but pharmacists know drugs and their consequent reactions.

 

[idoc2b]

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with you. My father is a pharmacist and he is constantly having to call up doctors and ask them why the hell they are putting a person on a certain medication because of the different unwanted side reactions that could occur. Just because someone is an MD doesn't make them anymore less human. Doctors know medications, but pharmacists know drugs and their consequent reactions.

i think most would agree with you and i think aphistas was being sarcastic in his remark about pharmacists ;p

 

[Envision]

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with you. My father is a pharmacist and he is constantly having to call up doctors and ask them why the hell they are putting a person on a certain medication because of the different unwanted side reactions that could occur. Just because someone is an MD doesn't make them anymore less human. Doctors know medications, but pharmacists know drugs and their consequent reactions.

Dear Oreopt,

i believe aphastis was using quirky sarcasm to point out the that stereoptypes can go both ways and that hypocrisy is a poor choice of influence.

 

[cpw]

and then there are those of us who started out pharmacy and went optometry.. it's to each his own. i'm MUCH happier as an OD than I ever would have been as a pharmacist. But, it's definitely a personaly choice. I call my PhamD friend with questions whenever something new comes out I've not heard of (cuz i'm sure she has.. or if she hasn't she'll find out) 🙂

 

[stevec]

hi,

I have told several people that I will hopefully be an eye doctor. Then they say an opthamalogist ?. Then I tell them an optometrist. Then they say thats not a doctor.

I had to several times defend my decision to be an optometrist as if it is not a respectable career. So can anybody tell me if optometrists are mostly just called "doctor" or not ?

Also do they get the respect of average people in the same league as DOs get ? Do optometists get more respect then other occupations like Pharmacy or a lawyer ?

Well I haven't experienced this at all. I've never had anyone around me say that an optometrist is not a doctor or indicated any doubt to the fact that optometrists are doctors. I'm a bit biased, but I'm astounded that anyone would think otherwise. I will be attending optometry school in the fall and my dad has been a practicing optometrist for over 30 years.

 

[aphistis]

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with you. My father is a pharmacist and he is constantly having to call up doctors and ask them why the hell they are putting a person on a certain medication because of the different unwanted side reactions that could occur. Just because someone is an MD doesn't make them anymore less human. Doctors know medications, but pharmacists know drugs and their consequent reactions.

Hi Megs,

Like the other posters suggested, I was being facetious in my original post. I do lay the deadpan on a little thick at times, though, so I apologize for the confusion. 🙂

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

Also,

Once I told this guy that I would hopefully become an optometrist, and that idiot told me that optometrists are just "technicians". I was so angry at that guy, even though he was a pharmacist..........

hey GUYS GET USED TO IT THATS WHAT ITS LIKE IN THE REAL WORLD.I had a pt. of mine tell me that she would never go to an od, thank god it was the end of the exam so I could collect my exam fee. ps I never told her I was an od

 

[RLK]

hey GUYS GET USED TO IT THATS WHAT ITS LIKE IN THE REAL WORLD.I had a pt. of mine tell me that she would never go to an od, thank god it was the end of the exam so I could collect my exam fee. ps I never told her I was an od

If you're an OD and she went to you, what did she think you were?

 

[JennyJet]

Well I haven't experienced this at all. I've never had anyone around me say that an optometrist is not a doctor or indicated any doubt to the fact that optometrists are doctors. I'm a bit biased, but I'm astounded that anyone would think otherwise. I will be attending optometry school in the fall and my dad has been a practicing optometrist for over 30 years.

Unfortunately it does happen. Recently in the office I worked at, 2 patients made the following comments ...
"Why doesn't my prescription feel right? It's just numbers, right? ANYBODY can be an optometrist and do the numbers."
and
"Why can't my son wear contacts? He's just an optometrist. My opthamologist says otherwise." This was in regards to trying to fit contacts into a non-compliant, dry eye patient.

Oh well ... most patients value the service optometrists offer and appreciate our expertise in eye care and even how our eyes relate to the rest of our body's health. However, there will always be those who think we just dial in some numbers and poof that's all.

 

[rpames]

I agree, sometimes you will encounter people who don't respect (but really they just don't understand) optometrists. Then they will go back to work flipping hamburgers down the street. These people will be rare, most people will respect you and treat you as a DOCTOR. Just yesterday I was doing an exam on a 14 y/o and I was bring him back to the exam room for the posterior segment exam. He was playing around with his cell phone and his mother grab the phone and said, "Do what the DOCTOR says!" Of course I informed her I was still a student, but it made me feel good that she respected me.

My father is very proud that I decided to follow his footsteps and from what his staff tells me, every patient that comes in the door leaves knowing I will be coming back in a couple years. So, a lot of patients will come in and ask, "When is Ryan coming back (I worked they for several years)?" My dad's usual response is, "He has been away at school for 6 years now, and he has 2 more plus a residence." Most people respond with, "I knew you had a lot of school, but I didn't know that much."

Twice in his 33 years, a patient came in and said he only had a tech. degree. He laughed and showed them to his office with the wall of diplomas. Right in the center, with the nice frame, is the one that says, "Doctor of Optometry." I think the response has been, "WOW, nice wall DOCTOR."

Sorry for the length.

 

[rpie]

Also,

Once I told this guy that I would hopefully become an optometrist, and that idiot told me that optometrists are just "technicians". I was so angry at that guy, even though he was a pharmacist..........

Unfortunately, there are people that will always feel that OD’s are a “glorified technician and dial spinner”. Another factor can be the practice setting, and whether or not it gives a person the feeling that they are a “ customer in a optical shop “ or a “ patient in an eye doctors office”.

I am curious as to what your pharmacist friend’s impressions are when he/she comes across an OD’s Rx for ocular medications or, an Rx for a controlled medication like Vicodin. OD’s in many states can Rx controlled substances to manage ocular pain after a corneal foreign body has been removed.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

If you're an OD and she went to you, what did she think you were?

ophthalmologist

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

I agree, sometimes you will encounter people who don't respect (but really they just don't understand) optometrists. Then they will go back to work flipping hamburgers down the street. These people will be rare, most people will respect you and treat you as a DOCTOR. Just yesterday I was doing an exam on a 14 y/o and I was bring him back to the exam room for the posterior segment exam. He was playing around with his cell phone and his mother grab the phone and said, "Do what the DOCTOR says!" Of course I informed her I was still a student, but it made me feel good that she respected me.

My father is very proud that I decided to follow his footsteps and from what his staff tells me, every patient that comes in the door leaves knowing I will be coming back in a couple years. So, a lot of patients will come in and ask, "When is Ryan coming back (I worked they for several years)?" My dad's usual response is, "He has been away at school for 6 years now, and he has 2 more plus a residence." Most people respond with, "I knew you had a lot of school, but I didn't know that much."

Twice in his 33 years, a patient came in and said he only had a tech. degree. He laughed and showed them to his office with the wall of diplomas. Right in the center, with the nice frame, is the one that says, "Doctor of Optometry." I think the response has been, "WOW, nice wall DOCTOR."

Sorry for the length.

not always true the patients that showed me disrespect were ceo's,cfo's and investment bankers. they came to me b/c they had vsp.

 

[xmattODx]

I agree, sometimes you will encounter people who don't respect (but really they just don't understand) optometrists. Then they will go back to work flipping hamburgers down the street. These people will be rare, most people will respect you and treat you as a DOCTOR.

I find the proletariat to be much more respectful than the bourgeoisie. I'm not really sure why we, as doctors, expect to be more respected than others. You'll find that those who are disrespectful to you are disrespectful to everyone they encounter so don't take it as a slam on your career choice.

 

[SoxTown]

I find the proletariat to be much more respectful than the bourgeoisie. I'm not really sure why we, as doctors, expect to be more respected than others. You'll find that those who are disrespectful to you are disrespectful to everyone they encounter so don't take it as a slam on your career choice.

I like your attitude xmattODx. I'm starting at ICO this fall and yesterday someone told my husband "why is your wife going into a profession that's dying - the future of eyecare is LASIK surgery!"

First of all, totally ignorant comment. When my husband told me what he said, I was at first upset. Then I thought, this guy really doesn't know what the scope of practice for optometrists is, he thought all optometrists can do is prescribe glasses, not contacts, not manage primary care of the eye, etc. I find that 1. there's confusion among the general public regarding what an optometrist is trained to do 2. some people are simply disrespectful people (like what xmattODx wrote) and 3. there is a hierarchy among the healthcare professions and optometry is not at the top of the hierarchy.

I'm fine with optometry not being at the top, I don't need it to be. I do want to be respected among healthcare professionals for what I will be trained to do as an optometrist. And I certainly do not want optometry's scope of practice to shrink.

 

[futuredoctorOD]

seriously, way to be convincing, child like rhetoric (his degree out of cracker jack box) and indisputable fact (optometry is a great profession). if you want to reach out to an educated audience, i suggest you be a little more sophisticated. bagging on other professions wont get you anywhere.

I was being sarcastic about THAT particular pharmacist.....Pharmacy is a very respectable profession (I seriously considered it) but I chose Optometry because I want to become an eye doctor. My best friend is a Pharmacist and I will be calling him for advice regarding medications in 5 years! 😉

 

[ewsmith]

Apple pie,

If you are worried about what others think, being a doctor of any kind may not be your cup of tea.

I have a little experience here, as my borther is 4th year OD student, my wife is a DDS, I am a DDS, and I am curently a 3rd year MD student.

Yes, the uninformed, uneducated pt will probably not show you the respect you deserve, this is life. They may think you are a tech, they may think you went to school for 2 years, they may think you graduated high-school and went to tech school for 9 months, ot they may just spin dials. From my experience, this usually does not occur with physicians as pt's see them as "doctors". This is the title they have always had, they have been referred by this title thru history, it is the way things are.

As an example, when pt's say my doc said, they usually means MD, they call a DDS their dentist, although this person is also a doctor like the OD. My experience has been pt's call ODs their optometrist (sometimes eye doctor) and their ophthalmologist, well they call them their ophthalmologist. Is this right or wrong??? Not really a question that applies here b/c it is just reality. Even my parents have said to my brother, your not really a "real" doctor right?

So decide for yourself what you want to do and how you want to be percieved; perception is everthing and usually reality.

As far as RX privilages....each state differs but ODs really have limited needs for RX privilages and most states grant them what they need to treat their pts effectively; nothing more, nothing less. There are 4 professions with unlimited RX privilages in no order...MD,DDS,VET(animals only),Podiatry....and most nurse practioners under an MD. But honestly, we only prescribe what is needed to treat our pts; nothing more, nothing less.

Just a thought....Really take a look at what you want to do and whether being limited to diseases of the eye is for you. Take a hard look at medicine as numerous specialties are available and if you decide the eye is for you, then opthy exists. Also, from experience I can safely say you will not know as much about general diseases and how to treat them after graduating OD school as say a physician does. This is how it is due to nothing more than the way the curriculums are set up....you will be a master of the eye and its' supporting structures, but not the rest of the body. If not understanding your pt's others diseases is ok with you, then great keep at your goals. As well, think about dentisty...a wonderful profession especially for woman (they seem to be more empathetic then men).

 

[Docgeorge]

In the end it does'nt matter if you're a DO/MD, DDS, DPM,OD or PharmD the reality is that we are all bent over and taking in the but from the Insurance companies and big corperate conglomerates. So the PharmD or the lay person that insults you f'k em dont even waste your time getting mad at them lifes too short and we're already too damned stressed as it is.