Got in but not sure if I want to go anymore....

[DawgOD]

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Thanks to those who are being positive about a career in VT and though I understand these instances are rare, it is my goal as well, so if anyone knows cases where VT offices ARE doing well, please explain to me what they did to be successful? And @ inflammable fish, you said you were working as a "vision therapist" already but want to go to optom school. How are you already a VT w/o the degree may I ask? Do you mean you're an occupational therapist? Thanks.

I think NOVA has a vision therapy program where you do not have to be an optometrist.

http://optometry.nova.edu/cvr/index.html

 

[caitsiex]

Thanks to those who are being positive about a career in VT and though I understand these instances are rare, it is my goal as well, so if anyone knows cases where VT offices ARE doing well, please explain to me what they did to be successful? And @ inflammable fish, you said you were working as a "vision therapist" already but want to go to optom school. How are you already a VT w/o the degree may I ask? Do you mean you're an occupational therapist? Thanks.

Like many other posters have said, vision therapy can be profitable in the right area. I currently work at a long standing VT practice in a suburb of a large city. He does general exams as well as VT screenings and work-ups and he does very well. He is the only one offering in-office VT in the area and OT's and PT's know him well and frequently refer patients to him. When he first began the practice, he worked with many school districts spreading the word and was a member of the town chamber of commerce. He's given lectures and taught about VT and now is also working on incorporating sports vision to the practice. For patients who have trouble affording it, we offer payment plans which help at least a little bit.
Most people, to my knowledge, are not certified VT's, but instead have been trained by FCOVD's and COVT's. A successful FCOVD came to our school to speak about his practice and he said he mostly employs retired school teachers he taught on his own.

 

[CoolRX]

you could look into specializing in ocular disease by doing a residency after your 4 years and work in an Ocular Disease Clinic

I've given a lot of thought about why optometry instead of medicine if I must do a residency in optometry. Medical school is also 4 years + residency.

Perhaps, it is because ophthalmology residency spots can be really competitive. Seems to be so much uncertainty though going the optometry route. But to each his own.

 

[Shnurek]

Perhaps, it is because ophthalmology residency spots can be really competitive. Seems to be so much uncertainty though going the optometry route. But to each his own.

I'd say the contrary. You basically know what you will be doing: taking care of eyes. In med school you have no idea what you will be doing until you land residency.

 

[CoolRX]

I'd say the contrary. You basically know what you will be doing: taking care of eyes. In med school you have no idea what you will be doing until you land residency.

I agree. By the way it was implied in my statement. If ophthalmology was a sure thing most people would probably go the medicine route. Precisely because there is such a limited number of spots, hence the uncertainty, that optometry is appealing. However, given residency, it is equivalent in years to a medical profession.

 

[syma]

I just wanted to add, though the point has passed, that I don't find it so much as selling glasses as recommending glasses.

I don't feel like that is the limit of my job.

Bills are paid by profit. Profit is made by the sale of professional examinations and glasses and contact lenses.