Medical degrees can last up to eight years depending on the subject, but optometry is a four-year program.
The curriculum of both programs is similar and includes subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and pharmacology. The difference is in the clinical rotations that take place during medical school and are not included in an optometrist training program.
In addition to these formal degree programs, they have laboratories where students learn skills in microscopy and other equipment used by doctors diagnosing eye conditions such as corneal disease or glaucoma that require intervention.
It should be noted, however, that some universities offer combined courses in medicine and optometry instead, so you need to consider what is available before deciding on a course in optometry.