You must understand this subject thoroughly as it may affect the outcome of your surgery. First, you must understand the difference between ophthalmologist and optometrist. They are physicians who, after four years of college, attend four years of medical school followed by a one year internship and a three to four year residency in ophthalmology. Many go on to a one to two year fellowship in their area of sub specialization. They have treated thousands of patients and performed hundreds of surgeries by the time they start practice.
Optometrists attend four years of optometry school before starting practice.
They are not physicians, have not completed internships, residencies, or fellowships in eye surgery and have never performed surgery. In the early 1980's, Medicare provided a billing code allowing optometrist to charge pre and post op care for cataract surgery. Because this practice was sanctioned by Medicare, it became quite common to see networks of optometrist referring to a single ophthalmologist. Unfortunately, this practice has filtered into laser vision correction. I currently do not and have never participated in optometric co-management.