Expert: Janet Carter - 6/18/2005

Question
Hello,
     I Hope this letter finds you sailing in the ocean of good health.
I am student from India. My main Question is would you recomend dentistry or medicine(MBBS & THEN MD) as a career option. What are the benefits and drawbacks of choosing either career?
Thanking you in anticipation.
What is the difference between optometry and opthalmology
Imran.


Answer
I would chose medicine over dentistry, but that's a personal opinion.  Dentistry is a tough profession; people are not happy to come and see you.  As for optometry and ophthalmology:  optometry is a primary care profession that does eye examinations, and treats basic eye conditions and diseases.  Ophthalmology is surgery.  However, this applies only in the US.  Optometry in India is MUCH more rudimentary:  for example, optometrists in India can't treat disease such as glaucoma, in the US they can.  For more information, try googling the American Optometric Association.  Good luck!