Economy and Optometry

[kglmp83]

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I am nearing graduation with a BS in Chemistry and my plan is to enter optometry school.

But with the economy the way it is, would optometry still be a good choice?

Is it a safe career (job security) the way the economy is?

 

[CanadianPre-Med]

In my opinion, that's kind of like asking "is dentistry a good profession to get into?" It's a health profession, and as such is typically resistant to economic downturns. One's own health (whether dental or ocular) will always remain a priority for most people. Hell, I would think optometry is even more resistant since most dentistry work is cosmetic.

 

[blysssful]

In my opinion, that's kind of like asking "is dentistry a good profession to get into?" It's a health profession, and as such is typically resistant to economic downturns. One's own health (whether dental or ocular) will always remain a priority for most people. Hell, I would think optometry is even more resistant since most dentistry work is cosmetic.

I disagree. Speaking with my optometrist about this, he specifically noted that as the economy started to nose dive, there was a sharp decrease in patients. Some practices will get hit harder than others, but you cannot compare optometry to dentistry. Most people will still go in and get their teeth cleaned twice a year, but if they can see okay they won't get their eyes checked for years.

 

[Oogilily]

I disagree. Speaking with my optometrist about this, he specifically noted that as the economy started to nose dive, there was a sharp decrease in patients. Some practices will get hit harder than others, but you cannot compare optometry to dentistry. Most people will still go in and get their teeth cleaned twice a year, but if they can see okay they won't get their eyes checked for years.

I will agree with this statement. Bad economy hurts optometrists too. Heck, even when the money is flowing it is hard to get people to come in and get their eyes checked.

As to the first comment. I don't think any job is safe from a bad economy. If you want to do optometry do it. If you are having second thoughts about it, I would do some more shadowing and really think if this is the right path for you.

 

[CCTX87]

I live in South Texas and I just visited an optometrist today, that I shadowed last spring, and they have expanded their office hired two more optometrists and are even planning to open another office in a different part of town. They had a constant flow of patients for all of the optometrists that were working. Everyone jokes that the economy down here is 10 years behind and that in 10 years we will be feeling the recession. I think that the location of where you practice will correlate to a decrease in patients due to the economy. My speculation for one reason why it has not hurt South Texas is that a lot of patients have Medicaid and they are more willing to go to an optometrist if they pay little to none out of their own pockets.

 

[DryEye]

What is the amount that Medicaid covers for an eye exam at this office you worked at?

 

[gochi]

maybe.

 

[DrSpontaneouz83]

Well I work for a retinal specialist and they had to recently let go of the Low Vision Rehab OD because they didn't have enough work. Then again, I also heard that she was buying into a Lenscrafters and things were picking up. The public relations guy who networks with ODs for referrals to this practice has been telling me that recent grads are having problems finding jobs (or ones they will be happy in) with the present economy. BTW, I work in the DC, MD, VA metropolitan area.

 

[kengani]

This is my take on the whole economy deal and that is we are all masters of our own future. Let me explain. I start school this Fall, but currently work full time in one element of the housing industry, which is directly effected by the "recession." I am in outside sales and work directly with many contractors. There are a few classes of businesses out there. Lets start from the bottom. First, those that start a business because they know how to build, but when the economy get tough, they don't know how to manage their numbers or they hope customers/patients (they are the same thing, why ask me and I can tell you) will come to them and as a result they go out of business or feel the stress of the times. Second, are those that get referrals and feel the recession not as bad as the first group, but they don't know how to run a business. Third, are those that work hard looking for patients/customers, but don't know how to run a business. Lastly, are those that know how to run a business, work off referrals, proactively search for new business or expand their business, while keeping their current customer base happy. I have one of the companies I work with that increased their sales in the housing industry by 15% last year, because they incorporated all aspects stated above. I had another company not looking for business, but because they have good business minds and had an increase in profit margin by 10%, although their overall sales have decrease by 30% from last year. Than there are the companies that complain and complain, blaming their unhappiness on the economy or some other outside force. They are the consumers, when they could be producers. We can ethically run a business that will still be profitably in down times.

 

[CCTX87]

What is the amount that Medicaid covers for an eye exam at this office you worked at?

I am by no means and expert with insurance, but a lot of the time it is children that come through with CHIPs which I am not sure if just Texas has this but it is Medicaid for children and it covers the glasses eye exam and glasses... I am pretty sure. I was at the Optometry office for 2 hours today and there were probably 4 children that were seen that had CHIPs. I have seen parents come in with their 5 children all at once to have their eyes checked. I should also mention that South Texas has an extremely high rate of teen pregnancy.

 

[zyg0te]

This is my take on the whole economy deal and that is we are all masters of our own future. Let me explain. I start school this Fall, but currently work full time in one element of the housing industry, which is directly effected by the "recession." I am in outside sales and work directly with many contractors. There are a few classes of businesses out there. Lets start from the bottom. First, those that start a business because they know how to build, but when the economy get tough, they don't know how to manage their numbers or they hope customers/patients (they are the same thing, why ask me and I can tell you) will come to them and as a result they go out of business or feel the stress of the times. Second, are those that get referrals and feel the recession not as bad as the first group, but they don't know how to run a business. Third, are those that work hard looking for patients/customers, but don't know how to run a business. Lastly, are those that know how to run a business, work off referrals, proactively search for new business or expand their business, while keeping their current customer base happy. I have one of the companies I work with that increased their sales in the housing industry by 15% last year, because they incorporated all aspects stated above. I had another company not looking for business, but because they have good business minds and had an increase in profit margin by 10%, although their overall sales have decrease by 30% from last year. Than there are the companies that complain and complain, blaming their unhappiness on the economy or some other outside force. They are the consumers, when they could be producers. We can ethically run a business that will still be profitably in down times.

Seems like a rather verbose way to say there are people who know how to run a business and those who do not.

It is FAR easier said than done.

 

[kengani]

You really think it is hard? Of course it is hard, because if it was not hard everybody would be doing it. It is very rewarding.

 

[XxMsICarexX]

I work for an optometrist who own two business. To what I see, people still coming to us for eye check regularly, even paying cash. It is true that people are buying cheaper glasses and spending money less. However, I don't get how people can compare dentistry and optometry. People who are blind to death need to go get new glasses - while you can wait on cleaning your teeth (unless you're in pain). On the other hand, if you're talking about people who never wore glasses and have 20/20 vision, how many % will that be out of all? Really I don't think any kind of health field is really effect so much by the downfall of economy. As for me, it is all depend on how you run your business. I see optometry field can go up or down in any kind of economy. As for me, my optometrist seem to remain quite stable!

 

[zyg0te]

You really think it is hard? Of course it is hard, because if it was not hard everybody would be doing it. It is very rewarding.

So what do YOU know about running an optical business?

 

[zyg0te]

I work for an optometrist who own two business. To what I see, people still coming to us for eye check regularly, even paying cash. It is true that people are buying cheaper glasses and spending money less. However, I don't get how people can compare dentistry and optometry. People who are blind to death need to go get new glasses - while you can wait on cleaning your teeth (unless you're in pain). On the other hand, if you're talking about people who never wore glasses and have 20/20 vision, how many % will that be out of all? Really I don't think any kind of health field is really effect so much by the downfall of economy. As for me, it is all depend on how you run your business. I see optometry field can go up or down in any kind of economy. As for me, my optometrist seem to remain quite stable!

Yet you compare the two yourself?

Note: Blind people don't need glasses.
Note: Blindness by itself does not kill people.
Note: People will walk around with 20/60 or worse and think they have "good vision."

 

[gochi]

Yet you compare the two yourself?

Note: Blind people don't need glasses.
Note: Blindness by itself does not kill people.
Note: People will walk around with 20/60 or worse and think they have "good vision."

What are these notes? lol

 

[zyg0te]

What are these notes? lol

Cliffnotes on everything I learned in the third grade.

 

[kengani]

So what do YOU know about running an optical business?

Probably more than you do or not. I guess we will see in a few years.

 

[zyg0te]

Probably more than you do or not. I guess we will see in a few years.

That was a really productive response. 🙄

 

[blysssful]

Probably more than you do or not. I guess we will see in a few years.

ooooh... SNAP!

 

[kengani]

That was a really productive response. 🙄

I am sorry, not to be as productive as you.

 

[zyg0te]

I am sorry, not to be as productive as you.

It's not okay, but I understand. I am the result of excellent genetics and 2 decades of tireless field research.

Just follow my lead, I'll take you on as my protege.

 

[blysssful]

It's not okay, but I understand. I am the result of excellent genetics and 2 decades of tireless field research.

The research SEEMED so promising... what HAPPENED?

😛

 

[zyg0te]

The research SEEMED so promising... what HAPPENED?

😛

You can read all about it in the results section of my dissertation.

 

[captainnerd]

I work for an optometrist who own two business. To what I see, people still coming to us for eye check regularly, even paying cash. It is true that people are buying cheaper glasses and spending money less. However, I don't get how people can compare dentistry and optometry. People who are blind to death need to go get new glasses - while you can wait on cleaning your teeth (unless you're in pain). On the other hand, if you're talking about people who never wore glasses and have 20/20 vision, how many % will that be out of all? Really I don't think any kind of health field is really effect so much by the downfall of economy. As for me, it is all depend on how you run your business. I see optometry field can go up or down in any kind of economy. As for me, my optometrist seem to remain quite stable!

You don't understand insurance young man. Today, insurance is not what insurance used to be. When two Irish clergymen came up with insurance from mathematics they borrowed from the Persians, they were thinking about alleviating the pain and suffering from the catastrophic loss of a breadwinner.

Today, insurance is a lot about behavior modification, not alleviating catastrophic events. Your govt knows that if it were up to you, you'd eat junk food and never visit a doctor unless you were sick.

People visit the dentist and the optometrist not because they have some kind of catastrophic need. They visit because their govt nudges them to visit.

The govt takes money away from you, puts it aside, and tells you "this money, you can only use it at the dentist." This isn't insurance. This is behavior modification. Your govt knows that by forcing you to visit certain health care providers, the populace will be healthier.

And when people are laid off, many people choose to forego COBRA, especially if their mortgage is more important. And lets face it, people only visit the doctor when they think it is being paid for by their employer (it's a trick, the cost is their own).

So to say optometry is recession proof is sorta dumb. In fact, I would say optometry is recession prone. People go to the doctor because being sick is not the norm. Having bad vision in many people's view, is part of who they are. So they don't go unless it is much much worse than last year and they can afford it.

But the most important thing is that this recession will affect ALL areas. Especially if you're still a student and want to go out and try to find a loan or mortgage on a commercial parcel. My optometrist recently decided to stop renting and buy his own commercial parcel. In this credit market, good luck.

 

[captainnerd]

I disagree. Speaking with my optometrist about this, he specifically noted that as the economy started to nose dive, there was a sharp decrease in patients. Some practices will get hit harder than others, but you cannot compare optometry to dentistry. Most people will still go in and get their teeth cleaned twice a year, but if they can see okay they won't get their eyes checked for years.

I agree with this. And the other problem is that for most dentist insurance programs, it is very clear. They get their own cards and stuff.

For vision care, forget it. Optometry is one of those fields where it is so disorganized at so many levels.

 

[captainnerd]

I should have also said that some states will be affected differently. States like California are hurting. I think a lot of it also has to do with standards of living. My optometrist has optometrist friends from the "flat" states and he tells me they are just absolutely amazed that he (my CA optometrist) can have debt near $300k. There are some states, you can buy a home for $50k.

 

[iVision]

I just found an article about tax increases for those who fall over 250K bracket and an optometrist speaks out about it:

"Van Moore, an optometrist in Sevierville, makes just enough in his practice that he worries he might qualify for the tax increase. Mr. Moore said he was contemplating adding two staff workers and another doctor to his practice, but then the economy went soft. In the years after he finished optometry school, his first job brought in less than $20,000 a year. Then he made $50,000 for several years, all the while dealing with his $150,000 student-loan debt, which he still has. Now he is making just above $250,000.
"I'm not in a mobile home with no utilities or running water and holes in the floor," he said. "I'm not poor, but I'm not rich.""

Here's the link:
http://finance.yahoo.com/retirement/article/106934/Wealth-Less-Effect-Earning-Well-Feeling-Otherwise