Optometrists (also known as Doctors of Optometry in the US and Canada for those holding the O.D. degree[1] or Ophthalmic Opticians in the UK[2][3][4][5][6][7]) are medical professionals who provide primary eyecare through comprehensive eye examinations to detect and treat various visual abnormalities and eye diseases.
A Cardiothoracic surgeon in the U.S. is a physician (D.O. or M.D.) who first completes a general surgery residency (typically 5â7 years), followed by a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship (typically 2â3 years).
Even by surgical standards, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons undergo a lengthy period of training. It starts with four years of undergraduate education, followed by four years in medical or osteopathic college. After graduation, the aspiring surgeon serves in a general surgical residency for at least five years. After this comes a second residency of two to three years in cardiothoracic surgery, with at least six months in pediatric surgery. Finally, qualifying in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery requires another one to two years in a specialized fellowship.