Is it better to volunteer for an opthamalogist or optometrist...

[Chiuey]

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I have a chance to volunteer for an opthamalogist, but would it be better if I tried to volunteer for an optometrist instead since thats what I want to pursue?

 

[JeffChou]

I have a chance to volunteer for an opthamalogist, but would it be better if I tried to volunteer for an optometrist instead since thats what I want to pursue?

You seem to already know the obvious answer. If you don't have a chance to volunteer for an optometrist, then I guess it's better than nothing. But I'd just keep looking (or take it and continue looking for an optometrist); there are many more optometrists taking on volunteers than ophthalmologists since ophthalmology is such an exclusive field.

 

[hfpepperbean47]

I have a chance to volunteer for an opthamalogist, but would it be better if I tried to volunteer for an optometrist instead since thats what I want to pursue?

I shadowed/observed with both an ophthalmologist and an optometrist. The eye is the eye, isn't it? No matter which way you slice it. With that said, schools like SCO (Memphis) and Pacific (i believe) require shadowing with an optometrist, at least this is what I was told. I specifically asked SCO if the letter from an optometrist could be substituted with an ophthalmologist and they gave me a flat out no. I don't know about the other schools...but doing both can't hurt you if you can swing it.

 

[alferec]

If you're interested in optometry specifically, then the answer is obvious because optometrists and ophthalmologists are two (relatively) different fields. For example, in an optometrist's office, you will get almost zero exposure to surgery. But if you shadowed an ophthalmologist, you will be exposed to surgery all the time. So if you're interested in eye surgery, then shadow an ophthalmologist. And if you're looking into being a primary eye care provider, then shadow an optometrist.

 

[qwopty99]

But if you shadowed an ophthalmologist, you will be exposed to surgery all the time.

my impression is that this isn't necessarily true (though an OMD could chime in on this one).

lots of cataract surgeons are in the OR only one day a week. the remaining times, they're at their slit lamp doing medical examinations. i could be wrong on this, but i know this is the schedule of SOME Ophs.

 

[hokulele]

i worked for both ophthalmologists & optometrists. if you have the opportunity to do both, i'd recommend it 🙂

If you have the opportunity to shadow an OMD, go for it because it's a great experience, but since you are interested in optometry be sure to definitely do that too.

RE: surgery, the OMDs (retina specialists) I work for each only have one day in surgery, as well.

 

[tcshin]

Your pursuit is to be an optometrist, so I would highly recommend you to shadow or work for an optometrist so that you not only gain knowledge of the profession but so that you can get a glimpse of how your life will be in the future as an optometrist.

As for the ophth offer:
First, try to find out what your responsibilities are as a volunteer with that ophthalmologist. If it is just filing charts, then I wouldn't take it. However, if there is an optometrist there, I would only take it to take advantage of that situation by asking the optometrist if i can shadow him/her. While youre at it, i would also ask the ophthalmologist if i can shadow him/her as well... That way, you can see the difference between both professions. 👍

If there's no optometrist, (and you can't find anyone to shadow) try getting involved with the oncampus optometry club. They should have a list of volunteer/intern/job offers.

As for me..i worked under the ophthalmology department at the Shiley Eye Center - UCSD (during my undergrad years) just to get my foot in the door. I gained so much knowledge about ocular diseases, their treatments, and not to mention the amazing shadowing experiences with all the optometrists there. 🙂
I encourage you to really try to put yourself out there to grasp the fullness of this profession.. I tried to volunteer/intern/shadow/work at different optometric facilities: An eye clinic with both ophth and opt., a visual therapy practice, private practice, lions optometric vision clinic (for those who couldn't afford comprehensive eye exams), peds on the Eye Mobile for Children, and etc. Just remember to really learn from every experience that you encounter and take advantage of all the resources that that facility has to offer.

sorry its so long but ... GOOD LUCK! I hope you enjoy the time you have in learning about optometry.. but who knows.. you may like ophthalmology! its better to find out now than later! right? 😛

 

[luckyfool]

my impression is that this isn't necessarily true (though an OMD could chime in on this one).

lots of cataract surgeons are in the OR only one day a week. the remaining times, they're at their slit lamp doing medical examinations. i could be wrong on this, but i know this is the schedule of SOME Ophs.

Opthalmologists typically have 1 surgery day per week and the rest of the 5 days they work in office setting where they see patients and perform exams just like optometrists.
OP, if you have the chance to work for an OMD, then you should go for it because OMDs have way more patients than most optometrists. This way you can be exposed to many clinical aspects in an eye doctor office...that is if you are interested in private practice.