I was wondering what exactly does a career in corporate optometry entail? Also, is there a way an optometrist can work in the sports industry?
Corporate Optometry
- Thread starter fm267
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So from the looks of it, many people have read this, but none have answered. There is a reason.
Corporate optometry is generally stigmatized for a few reasons:
1. Many private practice ODs think corporate practice undercut their prices and therefore steal from local businesses.
2. Many doctors believe commercializing healthcare cheapens the profession- similar to pharmacy.
3. Many companies do not allow corporate docs to practice comprehensive eyecare because of their patient quotas and limited exam time. Therefore, specialty fit contact lenses, medical eye exams, etc are always referred out so that they can cash another refraction code and vision plan.
Corporate optometry is often praised because...
1. They pay well- especially for new grads who want to make well over $100k without residency.
2. Act as a public health outlet allowing patients who don't think they're seeing a doctor to be traiged and referred to the appropriate secondary healthcare provider.
3. Allow docs to practice optometry and just optometry. No need to worry about overhead cost, managing employees, etc. You see your patients and go home.
All and all, I have friends who have worked corporate, and some are highly successful. Two in particular now own several chains of Targets and LensCrafters and are making well over $500,000. The trade off is that they rarely see patients. Because they own the franchise location, they do business meetings, financial consults, etc all day everyday.
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As for sports vision, yes, one can make a career out of it. You need to work your way into a niche with networking to prove you can provide BV and specialty CTL evals. Many of the sports team who have an official eye doc needs sensorimotor consults to monitor for progression of TBI and BV issues. Most teams will look for "the best" out there, and they will generally require someone who has completed a residency in BV.
Corporate optometry is generally stigmatized for a few reasons:
1. Many private practice ODs think corporate practice undercut their prices and therefore steal from local businesses.
2. Many doctors believe commercializing healthcare cheapens the profession- similar to pharmacy.
3. Many companies do not allow corporate docs to practice comprehensive eyecare because of their patient quotas and limited exam time. Therefore, specialty fit contact lenses, medical eye exams, etc are always referred out so that they can cash another refraction code and vision plan.
Corporate optometry is often praised because...
1. They pay well- especially for new grads who want to make well over $100k without residency.
2. Act as a public health outlet allowing patients who don't think they're seeing a doctor to be traiged and referred to the appropriate secondary healthcare provider.
3. Allow docs to practice optometry and just optometry. No need to worry about overhead cost, managing employees, etc. You see your patients and go home.
All and all, I have friends who have worked corporate, and some are highly successful. Two in particular now own several chains of Targets and LensCrafters and are making well over $500,000. The trade off is that they rarely see patients. Because they own the franchise location, they do business meetings, financial consults, etc all day everyday.
----
As for sports vision, yes, one can make a career out of it. You need to work your way into a niche with networking to prove you can provide BV and specialty CTL evals. Many of the sports team who have an official eye doc needs sensorimotor consults to monitor for progression of TBI and BV issues. Most teams will look for "the best" out there, and they will generally require someone who has completed a residency in BV.
