An Optometrist is only a Doctor within the confines of their office and only in regards to the eye. Similarliy a Dentist is only a Doctor in their office and in regards to the mouth. It is similar to getting a Doctorate in any other field.
Chiropractors fall under this as well. However, Optometrists and Dentists generally follow a more mainstream medical path (ie. Pharmacology vs. naturopathy).
I do not walk around introducing myself as a Doctor on the street, however, I will introduce myself as such with a patient in my office.
An Ophthalmologist has the ability to order blood work, perform surgeries and treat other medical ailments. An Optometrist does not at this time. However, an Optometrist can remove a foreign body from the eye, treat eye infections, treat minor eye injuries and request testing from a family doctor to rule out major systemic illness'. Many serious medical conditions, such as Diabetes, MS, Meningioma's and aneurysms, can have their first symptoms arise in the eyes. We are trained to recognize this and refer off for further testing.
We have a scope of practice that we must adhere to. Once something is beyond our scope of practice we refer the patient off to an Ophthalmologist. An Ophthalmologist will conversely use an Optometrist to co-manage patients that are being treated by them, but do not necessarily need regular checkups at their office.
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