Why are optometrists not called doctors?

Many confuse the responsibilities of an optometrist with those of an ophthalmologist. Instead, they have a doctor of optometry (OD) degree after finishing three or more years of college and four years of optometry school. First, Canada has a debate about whether optometrists should be referred to as doctors. The quick explanation is that optometrists are usually not trained in medical or surgical fundamentals or surgical methods.

Therefore, even though an optometrist is not a doctor, they specialize in eye disorders. Optometrists are health professionals who provide primary eye care that ranges from vision tests and corrections to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes. An optometrist is not a doctor. An optometrist receives a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree after completing four years of optometry school, preceded by three or more years of college.

They are licensed to practice optometry, which primarily involves performing eye exams and eye tests, prescribing and dispensing corrective lenses, detecting certain eye abnormalities, and prescribing medications for certain eye diseases. I see no reason to refer to yourself as a doctor outside of your workplace. In a hospital, the medical term should be reserved for doctors. In an optometry clinic, refer to optometrists as doctors.

In the academic world, anyone with a doctor has the appropriate title of doctor. But if someone in academia asks a non-graduate to call him a doctor, it's pretentious. Many people assume that the primary function of an optometrist is to prescribe glasses or contact lenses for their patients. Some optometrists receive additional clinical training or complete a specialty fellowship after optometry school.

Some optometrists receive additional clinical training or complete a specialized fellowship after optometry school. It is noteworthy that every time this term is used, my colleagues have specified that they are optometrists or providers of therapeutic products. However, this is no longer true; there is a clear distinction between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist. After four years of study, optometrists graduate from the school of optometry with a doctor of optometry (OD) degree.

The Board has said that an example of an acceptable way to use the doctoral degree is “Dr. Isobel Jones (Optometrist). I have recently noticed that people who graduate from programs such as naturopaths, optometrists, pharmacists and physical therapists, among others, have started calling themselves doctors every time they have the opportunity.

Ophthalmologists

differentiate themselves from optometrists and opticians in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and treat.

Personally I find it comical, but it's frustrating at the same time because I never have anyone to back me up when I call people about this, and it's also unfortunate that some people think I feel that way because I'm a pharmacist and I'm jealous. Ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians play an important role in providing eye care to consumers. I also have friends who are optometrists and naturopaths who feel the need to always mention that they are doctors, and it irritates me.

Gregor Potzl
Gregor Potzl

Avid beer practitioner. Devoted travel fanatic. Extreme burrito aficionado. Unapologetic baconaholic. Professional internet fan.

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