Education and Training Requirements
High School
To prepare for a career as an ophthalmologist, high school students should enroll in a college preparatory course, and take courses in English, languages (especially Latin), the humanities, social studies, and mathematics, in addition to courses in biology, chemistry, and physics.
Postsecondary Training
There is often confusion over the difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist. Ophthalmologists have medical degrees, while optometrists do not. After earning an M.D. or D.O. degree and becoming licensed to practice medicine, ophthalmologists complete at least one year of general clinical training and at least three years in an eye residency program at a hospital. Often ophthalmologists work at least one more year in a subspecialty fellowship.
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