Ophthalmologists are the only eye care professionals certified to perform surgery on the eye. A sub-specialist has undergone additional years of medical training exclusively in their chosen area of expertise, for example, retinal diseases, glaucoma, cornea or pediatrics. Just as is the case for ophthalmologists, optometrists' levels of training and experience can vary widely with respect to refractive surgery. Consequently, it is important for patients to interview their optometrists with the same diligence they would interview their surgeon. Here are some tough questions for you to ask your optometrist and information that will help you gauge your doctor's responses.
Many optometrists are generalists and provide their patients with long-term vision care.
Some optometrists specialize in screening for refractive surgery. While there is no right or wrong answer to this question, patients should be aware that not everybody is eligible for refractive surgery. Patients should be suspicious if the optometrist mentions that they have never dismissed a candidate or do so very rarely. While most do not result in loss of best corrected visual acuity, early detection and treatment is essential to ensuring that the complication does not become vision threatening. Therefore, your optometrist should have significant experience and training with detecting complications, and the depth of the answer will give you an idea about how qualified the doctor is.