Why optometry?

[the_fella]

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I don't mean to sound condescending or like I'm trolling, but can someone tell me why you chose optometry over MD/DO with a specialty in opthalmology?

 

[KHE]

Why not?

 

[Robin des Bois]

I don't mean to sound condescending or like I'm trolling, but can someone tell me why you chose optometry over MD/DO with a specialty in opthalmology?

For some, it's to avoid doing surgery. I will never do ocular surgery or open someone's ocular globe.

 

[qwerty89]

I don't mean to sound condescending or like I'm trolling, but can someone tell me why you chose optometry over MD/DO with a specialty in opthalmology?

thats assuming you would even be accepted into optho

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

Years of schooling. Malpractice insurance. Stress of surgeries (very early mornings). Being near the top 10% of your class so you have a shot in getting into the specialty.

Most importantly, being able to spell ophthalmology correctly

 

[the_fella]

I meant no disrespect qwerty89, one of my best friends was just accepted into optometry school.

 

[Rain Clouds]

Slicing people open all day is not something I would consider enjoyable...

 

[luvely]

Just a thought, but not many people are as personally exposed to ophthalmology as they are with optometry. My first eye exam was with an optometrist and it left a favorable impression on me. Later looking further into the field, as a woman I liked the aspect of being able to have a family as an optometrist and it seemed a lot less stressful and time-consuming than pursuing ophthalmology (which I was never interested in anyway)-- not all doctors are surgeons. I later did shadow a MD for cataract surgery during one of my optometry externships and I happened to ask him how he got interested in ophthalmology, again knowing it's probably not something he had been exposed to at a younger age-- and he said he made the decision while in medical school. It's up to you which fits the bill of what you are looking for. Hope this helps

 

[championOD]

Like others have said, I'm not one for the surgery aspect of it. Not to say that optometry school will be a walk in the park, but I definitely feel that it will be less taxing than med school. Not to mention the malpractice insurance and the hours. As a female, the flexibility in my work schedule that optometry allows is one of the biggest selling points for when it comes to having a family down the road, as well!

 

[mooncak3]

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