Nobody wants to go to the dentist. A trip to the dentist’s chair is something we like to put off every now and then. But not everyone feels this way when it comes to seeing a laser eye doctor. Wait, isn’t that a bit too ironic?
Everyone wants to go to the laser eye doctor’s office to fix what needs fixing – their vision. A laser eye doctor, or ophthalmologist, is a highly trained professional responsible for diagnosing eye conditions and prescribing medication for them. It’s also their responsibility to oversee the entire surgical procedure, if surgery is necessary. So while ophthalmologists spend the bulk of their time sitting behind a desk, they are also categorized as medical surgeons.
In the US, laser eye doctor students are required four to five years of residency after graduating from medical school. This is a strict protocol, with the first year of residency being an internship in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, or a general transition year. For extra credits, most ophthalmologist students train in residency programs certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (or ACGME).
Obtaining equivalent certifications and degrees are required to become a certified ophthalmologist in other countries. It’s not too hard to become a laser eye doctor. All you need is guts and the determination to pull through the long hours of studying, and lots of luck.
