Surgery exposure as an optometrist/optometry student...

[subedude]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I was wondering how much "surgery" a practicing optometrist, or and O.D. student is exposed to daily or in school??? I've tried looking this up but I've only been able to find very vague answers..so any clarification would be great by any practicing O.D.s!! Oh, also, does this exposure vary by commercial vs. private practices...thanks in advance!!

 

[hello07]

When I graduated from Optometry school back in the early 90's the only exposure a student got from surgery was thru their externships at Omni centers I believe observing cataract surgery. I don't know how things might have changed since then but my educated guess is probably very little to none. Whether you are in private or commercial practice, I don't know any of my colleagues getting exposure to surgeries; unless they have amicable relationships w/ the MD's they work with to observe from time to time IOL's or LASIK. I doubt many do.

if you are interested in ocular surgery, Optometry school IS NOT FOR YOU. Go to med school.

 

[subedude]

Oh no, I'm NOT interested in ocular surgery lol, that's why I asked...that was kind of one of the pros I considered when thinking about optometry so I'm glad to hear it..thanks

 

[KHE]

I was wondering how much "surgery" a practicing optometrist, or and O.D. student is exposed to daily or in school??? I've tried looking this up but I've only been able to find very vague answers..so any clarification would be great by any practicing O.D.s!! Oh, also, does this exposure vary by commercial vs. private practices...thanks in advance!!

When I was in school, I was exposed to all aspects and all types of opthalmic surgery and surgery comanagement.

Since graduation, I have found that 99% of any surgical cases shared with surgeons are cataracts and LASIK, and of those 95% of them are LASIK.

 

[Ben Chudner]

When I was in school, I was exposed to all aspects and all types of opthalmic surgery and surgery comanagement.

Since graduation, I have found that 99% of any surgical cases shared with surgeons are cataracts and LASIK, and of those 95% of them are LASIK.

I agree with the first part and disagree with the last part. It depends on where you practice, but in my area I would say 95% of the shared surgical cases are cataracts.

 

[cpw]

the percentages definitely depend on where you practice. Here in Florida, Cataract surgery >>>> LASIK.

Although, my patient base is fairly young, so in my office it's probably 50/50.

I haven't sat through a surgery since externship. But, on extern I sat through many: Lasik, CE, blepharoplasty, vitrectomy, pneumatics, ruptured globes, etc.

 

[file014]

you can watch lasik on youtube. I havent looked for other eye surgeries.