3 ms·

Ophthalmologists are specialists just like any other medical specialist, e.g. a dermatologist. Does the fact that general practitioners refer people on to derma

by barking 10y ago

Ophthalmologists are specialists just like any other medical specialist, e.g. a dermatologist. Does the fact that general practitioners refer people on to dermatologists mean that family doctors are not 'real doctors'? Sorry if that sounds aggressive, I am unfairly taking the inference from what you said that opticians are somehow 'fake'.

dogma1138 10y ago
Opticians and ophthalmologists are different things. And optician had some training but it's not a medical degree which is equivalent to say a dental hygienist in dentistry.
masklinn 10y ago
> I am unfairly taking the inference from what you said that opticians are somehow 'fake'. Opticians are equivalent to pharma techs (or dental hygienists as dogma1138 noted), could you be thinking about optometrists (sometimes called Ophthalmic Opticians in the UK)?
- barking 10y ago
  Probably, I wouldnt know which is which. I have been very impressed any time I've had my eyes checked.
deleted 10y ago
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peteretep 10y ago
> Ophthalmologists Doctor > dermatologist Doctor > general practitioner Doctor > optician Not a doctor
- madengr 10y ago
  You mean physician. An optometrist typically has a Doctor of Optometry degree. One can argue if that's really a Dr. (I'd say it more like an MS), but nonetheless they could be called Dr. They also write prescriptions for lenses. An optician fits the glasses, which is more like the technician.
  - opo 10y ago
    An optometry program lasts four years, so that is equivalent to the schooling needed for an MD. (After schooling there is a state and national examination in order to get the license.)
frostburg 10y ago
I don't want to be excessively glib here, but general practice in modern medicine is often very close to being "health theater" like the TSA is security theater. We're not talking about the rural doctors of old, their job could be automated in the next five years or so.

by barking 10y ago

dogma1138 10y ago

Opticians and ophthalmologists are different things. And optician had some training but it's not a medical degree which is equivalent to say a dental hygienist in dentistry.

masklinn 10y ago

> I am unfairly taking the inference from what you said that opticians are somehow 'fake'. Opticians are equivalent to pharma techs (or dental hygienists as dogma1138 noted), could you be thinking about optometrists (sometimes called Ophthalmic Opticians in the UK)?

barking 10y ago
Probably, I wouldnt know which is which. I have been very impressed any time I've had my eyes checked.

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

peteretep 10y ago

> Ophthalmologists Doctor > dermatologist Doctor > general practitioner Doctor > optician Not a doctor

madengr 10y ago
You mean physician. An optometrist typically has a Doctor of Optometry degree. One can argue if that's really a Dr. (I'd say it more like an MS), but nonetheless they could be called Dr. They also write prescriptions for lenses. An optician fits the glasses, which is more like the technician.
- opo 10y ago
  An optometry program lasts four years, so that is equivalent to the schooling needed for an MD. (After schooling there is a state and national examination in order to get the license.)

frostburg 10y ago

I don't want to be excessively glib here, but general practice in modern medicine is often very close to being "health theater" like the TSA is security theater. We're not talking about the rural doctors of old, their job could be automated in the next five years or so.