future of optometry

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trojan1 said:
curious what people think is the future of optometry? negatives + positives?

Since you are applying to optometry school, you have obviously done a lot of research about this issue.

Why don't you post what YOU think YOUR opinion is, and then we can discuss whether we think you're right or wrong.

Jenny
 
jennyw, im actually still researching optometry as a career...THAT is why i asked the question...frankly, you don't be to be a B%$ch about it...if ur going to reply with an UNKIND post then i would prefer you don't post...i really hope ur the exception and not the rule of the people in optometry
 
I agree, that post was mean. I think this is a good place to research the profession. I was asking the same question about a year ago. Basically, the best thing for you to do is to work in the optometry setting if possible and if not, then shadow an optometrist for a while to get a good sense of what the profession is like and if its a good match for you. I worked for Lenscrafters and a private OD for a while. Then I wanted to know what are the negatives, so I found optometrysucks group on yahoo. After reading posts in that group, I thought about everything that was being said and none of the arguments held water or issues that bothered some people are not an issue for me. I think its all about having realistic expectations. So I decided to go for it and will be starting school this fall. 🙂 Good luck!
 
trojan1 said:
jennyw, im actually still researching optometry as a career...THAT is why i asked the question...frankly, you don't be to be a B%$ch about it...if ur going to reply with an UNKIND post then i would prefer you don't post...i really hope ur the exception and not the rule of the people in optometry

I don't get the hostility.

I understand that you are considering it as a career. I was asking you to post what YOU think your opinion is based on the reasearch that you've done so far and then I and others on this board can give you our opinions on whether your thoughts are correct or not.

Or are you saying that you have not done any research, and your request for opinions on this forum is the first step?

I don't see how my post could have been interpreted as unkind in any way. Sorry if you took it that way.

Jenny
 
You can even search the topic on THIS forum!! Therez lots of ppl who gave them opinion on this board, you just have to dig it up again! hehe...
My "Pros" in optometry are that you get a good flexible time schedule; it's challenging, interestiing, almost keep you on your toes (although some of you might disagree). The rewards are great as well, good pay, a nice title, and you won't get boss around or looked down upon (Exceptions to that might be some not-so-nice OMD's, but I think that most OMD's appreciates OD's)

Cons --> Might be a bit boring if majority of the patients are healthy and such, all you do is refraction and dilations, you might get bored by just doing that. Moreover, I foudn that during my volunteering activity, patients tend to skip appointments w/o any notice. I dont' think they do that for other practices such as dentist and such, but for optometry, they dont' view it as THAT important. So sometimes they are "no show". The location where you practice also might be a CON b/c you are pretty dependent on the volume of patients. UNlike MD's, they are always busy.

Thats my ideas..

Katalio
 
This topic seems to be the only one that keeps a tiny bit of doubt in my mind about a career in optometry. I have done plenty of research on the field and have worked in optometrist's practices enough to know that this is what i would like to do for a living. However, the talk of a saturated market, commercial dominance, and a decrease in the insurance coverage for primary eyecare stand out as a major concern for the field. Are any of these seen as problems today or in the future by optometrists w/ private practices? Also, will that situation be any different in the next 4 years when I will be graduating from op school?
Thanks. 👍
 
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