Would Ophthalmologists replace Optometrists?

[Fai]

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Hello, I have a few questions and let me tell you a long story shortened greatly:

A few months ago I went for an eye check up with my OD, however he wasn't there that day and an Ophthalmologist took care of me. During the check up, we were taking about the medical field and how he discourages me out of it. Since he's an MD he was talking about the higher cost of med school and lesser pay. He also said that one day Ophthalmologists would replace optometrists because they can do the same thing except the MD can preform surgery and prescribe (prescribing differing on state). How do you feel about that statement?

At the moment, I'm not sure what I'd really want to be. I'm battling between Optometrist and Pharmacist which leads me to my next question: Will optometry suffer the same fate as pharmacy in terms of higher school costs, lower salary and little jobs?

Thanks in advance! I sure hope that Opht was wrong (he seemed very jaded).

 

[Zorro12]

OMDs cannot replace ODs if for no other reason number of patients vs number OMD. Also, it appears to be impossible to limit the number of Optometry grads, and they are not going anywhere. Of course, he may have meant ODs replacing OMDs which will depend on legislation.

 

[ineed2stpsmurfn]

hahah only on the optometry forums would OD's possibly replace full blown physicians.

 

[ineed2stpsmurfn]

At the moment, I'm not sure what I'd really want to be. I'm battling between Optometrist and Pharmacist which leads me to my next question: Will optometry suffer the same fate as pharmacy in terms of higher school costs, lower salary and little jobs?

So you've got your choices narrowed down to two fields that both have the exact same problem, great.

 

[Meibomian SxN]

How do you feel about that statement?

False, neither will ever replace the other, regardless of the overlap in care.

At the moment, I'm not sure what I'd really want to be. I'm battling between Optometrist and Pharmacist which leads me to my next question: Will optometry suffer the same fate as pharmacy in terms of higher school costs, lower salary and little jobs?

It will suffer worse because ODs are "independent docors" which basically means employers will hire you PT with no benefits.

Just telling you the hard truth.

 

[mclem222]

ODs will never replace OMDs and vice versa. Each has its role in our society. ODs are never really going to "operate" and do surgery...we just don't have the right training. (that may change but probably not) OMDs would kill themselves if they had to well visits and refractions all day.

 

[Shnurek]

No, ophthalmologists will never replace optometrists. They had the chance to kill optometry as a profession early on and they didn't do it. Now they suffer the consequences.

Here are the facts: Ophthalmology residencies are not increasing per number every year. There are about ~480 slots a year if I'm not mistaken? While the US population is increasing steadily.

Optometry schools are increasing in number estimated at producing 30% more optometrists in the next 10 years. So if anything, optometry is getting more of the eye care pie in the future. Just my opinion based on numbers.

 

[mclem222]

or splitting their portion of the pie among themselves more...all I see are OMDs getting busier and ODs getting less busy...not sure if we train tons of ODs that means we see more patients. I think it means we just split our portion into smaller pieces....

 

[Shnurek]

There is only so much patient load an ophthalmologist can take on, or more correctly their technicians 😀 People will realize that half their exam is by a high school graduate and the doctor just pops in for 3 minutes to do some biomicroscopy, BIO or gonioscopy and they may start asking questions.

 

[mclem222]

That is partially true. Most patients care who is going over the final data. They are used to technicians doing the gruntwork at this point.This has been going on for years. If people were to ask questions, they wouldve done it a long time ago.

The distribution of patients between OMDs and ODs is not equal. OMDs are in general considerably busier than ODs. I don't believe more ODs would draw away from OMDs much, just more from other ODs.