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).
The cardiothoracic surgery fellowship typically spans two or three years, but certification is based on the number of surgeries performed as the operating surgeon, not the time spent in the program, in addition to passing rigorous board certification tests.