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OPHTHALMOLOGISTS
4-year Bachelor’s degree
Passage of MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
4 years of medical school to earn a Doctor of Medicine
Mandatory 4 years of residency (1 year internship + 3 years of residency)
Fellowship: 1-2 years of additional training to become a specialist (i.e., in glaucoma, pediatric, oculoplastics)
The best of the best: 60% of ophthalmologists are in the top 25% of their medical school class. They do 4 years of 60-80 hours a week of training, hundreds of directly observed microsurgeries by multiple surgeons to verify manual dexterity.
Total post-high school training: 12-14 years
Are they a medical & surgical doctor? Yes
OPTOMETRISTS
4-year Bachelor’s degree
Passage of OAT (Optometry Admission Test)
4 years of optometry school
Optional: 1 year of residency for specialization
Total post-high school training: 8-9 years
Are they a medical & surgical doctor? No