Getting Exposed

[RIGirl13]

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Hey Everyone,

I am interested in going to optometry school and I wanted to become more aquainted with the field. I was wondering what everyone else did or is doing to getting more exposed to this. My approach was getting a job at LensCrafters but I'm not sure if that's the greatest idea. Thanks everyone

 

[rallthenamesgon]

I think that was a great move to make! I have been visiting an OD at Stein Optical lately, and just exposure from those visits were great, so being around it on a regular would be even better. Also you could research the career more and get aquainted with the OD at LensCrafters.

 

[Clovers]

Hey Everyone,

I am interested in going to optometry school and I wanted to become more aquainted with the field. I was wondering what everyone else did or is doing to getting more exposed to this. My approach was getting a job at LensCrafters but I'm not sure if that's the greatest idea. Thanks everyone

I don't think Lenscrafters allow students to come and observe for safety/legal reasons. Just in case something happens to you while you're in their territory they don't want to be responsible. You may want to try private office first.

 

[aam0050]

I don't think Lenscrafters allow students to come and observe for safety/legal reasons. Just in case something happens to you while you're in their territory they don't want to be responsible. You may want to try private office first.

This is what I came across back when I was trying to find a Dr to shadow. Definitely try a private practice first. I started out shadowing, then I found another private practice to eventually work for. Just keep searching, don't get discouraged too quickly! 🙂

 

[ttn003]

This was what I did...I shadowed for multiple Optometrits at Lenscrafters which is agreat idea bc u get to c how different optometrists work...and it's good to see how a corporation works...AND, I followed one of the optometrists to her private practice a year later..so yeah, the more types of exposure you have the better...do private and corporation.........

 

[yvipine]

this is what i did.... volunteered at the eye clinic in a local hospital in 2003, then about a year later, interned/shadowed in a private office (2004-present), then at the same time, interned/shadowed a commercial office (sears) (2004-2006). All i feel i'm missing is an optometrist who does research, but of course those are harder to find. I hope you'll find great optometrists to shadow to learn more about the field! it's really awesome!

 

[daysend85]

I shadowed a private practice optometrist for a full day and that was it. I knew after that one day that optometry was the field I wanted to get into. I asked a lot of questions and she provided a lot of information and was glad to do so. Not everyone will be that conviced after one full day but it was enough for me. I shadowed a private practice because I knew that was where I wanted to be in the future. Besides, commercial optometrists frequently give an abbreviated eye exam because they are so busy...I was able to observe full eye exams by going to a private practice. If you have time, shadow both commercial and private practice, but if you shadow a commercial, you definitely should also shadow a private practice. If you don't, then you won't see what optometry is really like. I know this because I've gone to a commercial office for my eye exams and when I shadowed the private practice optometrist, I was surprised at how thorough she was. I felt like I have been getting ripped off by the commercial office all these years.

 

[reconsider]

What is it with you guys? You should be going out and speaking to 20 different optometrists and researching if this is a good career. Hanging out in lenscrafters won't tell you anything.

I'm in private practice and I for one can tell you the field of optometry is awful. Don't go to optometry school and don't waste your money. Most newly minted optometrist work commercial and don't do well. Those who go into private practice do even worse.


For more reading read http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/optometrysucks/

read odwire.org
http://img.studentdoctor.net/images/smilies/frown.gif
🙁
Stay away from optometry school!!!!!!!!!!!! You've been warned.

 

[reconsider]

What is it with you guys? You should be going out and speaking to 20 different optometrists and researching if this is a good career. Hanging out in lenscrafters won't tell you anything.

I'm in private practice and I for one can tell you the field of optometry is awful. Don't go to optometry school and don't waste your money. Most newly minted optometrist work commercial and don't do well. Those who go into private practice do even worse.


For more reading read http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/optometrysucks/

read odwire.org
http://img.studentdoctor.net/images/smilies/frown.gif
🙁
Stay away from optometry school!!!!!!!!!!!! You've been warned.

 

[JMU07]

reconsider, you sound like a very bitter person.

OP, I talked to my own optometrist about shadowing. He gave me a job instead 🙂 and I worked there over the summer and really enjoyed it! I got a good idea of the different aspects of the job (pretesting, CL fittings, billing, insurance, front desk, etc.) and got to shadow a little as well. If you don't have a regular OD I would suggest just calling around and finding out who needs a little extra help! Even just a little bit of experience is better than none.

 

[luckyfool]

What is it with you guys? You should be going out and speaking to 20 different optometrists and researching if this is a good career. Hanging out in lenscrafters won't tell you anything.

I'm in private practice and I for one can tell you the field of optometry is awful. Don't go to optometry school and don't waste your money. Most newly minted optometrist work commercial and don't do well. Those who go into private practice do even worse.


For more reading read http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/optometrysucks/

read odwire.org
http://img.studentdoctor.net/images/smilies/frown.gif
🙁
Stay away from optometry school!!!!!!!!!!!! You've been warned.

 

[alferec]

I outlined some steps you can do to get some OD experience in my website:
http://www.optstudent.com/ugfocus.html#shadowing

Good luck!