Is it true that a licensed physician and surgeon practicing in the specialty of ophthalmology may be employed by an optometrist?

In California, it is permissible for a licensed physician and surgeon who specializes in ophthalmology to be employed by an optometrist. This employment arrangement is consistent with the collaborative nature of patient care that exists in the field of eye health, where optometrists and ophthalmologists often work together to provide comprehensive vision care.

The relationship allows for an integrated approach to treating eye conditions, benefiting patients through a combination of optometric and ophthalmologic expertise. This arrangement can enhance the overall treatment by enabling optometrists to refer patients to an ophthalmologist for surgical or advanced medical treatment, while the ophthalmologist can also refer patients back to the optometrist for routine care or follow-up.

While options indicating limitations, such as specific circumstances or additional licensing requirements, introduce valid conditions under which medical and optometric collaboration can occur, the foundational principle remains that the employment relationship itself is allowed without restrictions, thus affirming the chosen answer as correct.