I haven't posted in this forum in while, but with the way that this thread has turned, I might as well share my opinions.
While I understand why people are against corporate optometry, you need to understand that it's something that will not go away anytime soon. It's similar to the growth of HMO's in the medical community. Whether you like it or not, Walmart, Sears, Sam's Club, Costco, etc. are going to hire OD's and contain optical centers as long as it's a lucrative industry. So, instead of complaining about how they're sellouts and the like, accept that they are your competition and move on. Some optometrists want to work in private practice, and it doesn't make them any less of a doctor, nor does it hurt the profession. It's the way the game is played. (I'm not saying that anyone has done that in THIS thread, but in other threads on the board, it has been implied.)
Managed care is another issue as well. Most optometrists hate managed care because it causes restrictions as to what they can be reimbursed. Most doctors complain about it, but again ... it's here to stay, accept it and find ways to be successful within the system. Add to that the problems with 1-800-CONTACTS, Lensexpress, the growth of LASIK and clear lens extraction, etc., and there are some interesting questions that optometrists will have to answer in the next 10 years.
For myself, the reason why I'm unsure about optometry school is the huge student loan debt. Most optometry schools are 100K+ and the thought of starting my own practice and accumulating at least another 50K on top of that is not a pleasant picture. Add to that the likely possibility of going further into debt while trying to build your practice and it's something which I'm not sure I want to risk at this stage of my life.
OD or not, you bring up some valid points, but I think that you're situation is a bit extreme. The head doctor I work with brings in quite a bit of money (he owns three practices), and I know for a fact that all his associates (he has 12 doctors working for him) are making six figures as well. Some corporate optometrists are in better situations than others, but your situation sounds unusually bad. It's understandable that you're not happy with your decision, and some of the newer graduates that I work for have said that things aren't working out as they had planned.
However, I'm wondering what do the practicing optometrists who you graduated with feel about the field? Are they as frustrated as you are or are you the exception rather than the rule? With every profession, some people are extremely happy with their decision and others are extremely disappointed.
Nick
Added to respond to Tom OD's post ... I think that the private practice optometrists, in the long run, have a better situation than a commercial optometrist. In a commercial situation, it is initially easier because you have an established patient base, however, you're somewhat limited to the amount of control that you have over patient care. If an optician wants to put a patient in polycarbonate while you feel that hi-index is the best for them ... there's only so much that you can do. In addition, if you're interested in pathology, you're in the wrong place. While you can treat glaucoma, it's frowned upon because you're there to make money for the corporation and the corporation will not make money if you're bringing in patients to treat disease instead of perscribing glasses.
In private practice, you have total control, which can bring good and bad things. A doctor has to be extremely motivated to build a patient base and provide services that most optometrists in the area do not. In Tom OD's case, he specializes in pathology, which is a lucrative field that most OD's avoid. You can make more money in private practice, but you could also lose more money because you don't have a safety net. If you need to advertise, it comes out of your pocket, instead of the corporations pocket.
Topic: Congrats on the acceptances!