Expert: Janet Carter - 10/1/2000

Question
How many years of college does it take to become an optometrist?  
How many years of college does it take to become a laysic eye surgeon?
How expensive is it to run a optomertry business under Pearl Vision, United Optical, etc?  

Answer
An optometrist usually attends four years of undergraduate college followed by four years of optometry school.  Some do residencies, but they are optional.

A LASIK eye surgeon is an ophthalmologist and an MD.  Therefore, four years of college, four years of medical school, a mandatory residency.  (I'm not sure how long, but I'm guessing three or four years....)

Some of the optical businesses such as you mentioned hire ODs and don't let them run their own business.  Others are franchises.  Exact expenses, no clue, since I've never done it.  Ask someone who works there.