honest answer.....

[hello07]

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For all those who have been practicing optometry X number of years, does anyone think it was a waste of time or they should have gone into something else? I am not trying to start arguments pro vs. con with Optometry but what else would you consider now if you didn't want to practice anymore?
thank you.

 

[KHE]

For all those who have been practicing optometry X number of years, does anyone think it was a waste of time or they should have gone into something else? I am not trying to start arguments pro vs. con with Optometry but what else would you consider now if you didn't want to practice anymore?
thank you.

I do not really think I should have gone into something else. I took a sabbatical from optometry for some time, and it was very rewarding and I'm glad I did it. But one of the things you realize is that the pros of optometry are really the cons of other jobs. It can be tough dealing with the public day in and day out. There are some days where I fantasize about getting a job like driving the New York City subway and just locking myself in a little closet at the front of the train and not having deal with FRIGGIN PEOPLE, but the reality of it is is that 95% of the people I deal with are great! They're fun, interesting, and grateful that I help them out with seeing better. There is always going to be the 5% of people who suck.


If I just did eye exams all day every day for 35 years I would blow my brains out because it can get repetitious sometimes. Sometimes it gets tough listening to the 20th person of the day tell me that "Their arms aren't long enough!" and then they laugh like you've never heard that joke before. It's tough having to slap your knee and laugh along with them, like you're never heard that one before. It's tough to answer "So....what do you think of that LASIX?" ten times a day. It's tough sometimes to listen to ten patients a day talk about their sister getting their Cadillacs removed. The key is to take on other aspects of the job, to make it more interesting. Like it or not, optometry is a performance business. It's really no different than a tap dancer on broadway. You essentially have to "perform" for each patient you see, even when you just don't feel like performing.

But the fact is, I get paid good money to help people see better. The job isn't too stressful and difficult. It's not like I'm digging ditches, or moving pianos here. I'm glad I own a practice, because the challenges of running that are fun and exciting, though sometimes stressful. If I was just doing exams all day, I would probably quit.

 

[Eyedoc1999]

The only beef I have is the expense involved in becoming an OD. I really enjoy my job and I enjoy working with people. It does get tiresome occassionally dealing with the issues KHE stated above, but it's all part of it. My family ownes several newspapers across the US and I considered getting involved with that (mainly for the money), but after being involved through college it really makes me appreciate what I do now.

 

[Jay12]

....getting their Cadillacs removed.

 

[JMU07]

Along with "cadillacs" (haha), we deal with patients who complain that their bifocal has fallen out of their glasses and want us to put it back in. Or that the medicine dripped out of their glasses. Like the woman who wanted us to pay her dry-cleaning bill because the "medicine" dripped onto her shirt and stained it. 😱😕

 

[hello07]

thank you all for your input.

 

[r_salis]

Like it or not, optometry is a performance business. It's really no different than a tap dancer on broadway. You essentially have to "perform" for each patient you see, even when you just don't feel like performing.

This is so true. I suppose this is true for any profession which has a lot of interaction with (in caps...) The Public. I look at the performance aspect of my job as being to my benefit, though -- happy and engaged patients are so much nicer to work with than the alternative. 😉

 

[jc812]

Or that the medicine dripped out of their glasses. Like the woman who wanted us to pay her dry-cleaning bill because the "medicine" dripped onto her shirt and stained it. 😱😕

I never understood how patients thought that the "medicine" on the glasses was melting and dripping onto other things. Seriously

 

[WoodyJI]

This is so true. I suppose this is true for any profession which has a lot of interaction with (in caps...) The Public. I look at the performance aspect of my job as being to my benefit, though -- happy and engaged patients are so much nicer to work with than the alternative. 😉

I can relate to this statement, being a second year just about to start my first real experiences in the clinic next quarter. All of the practicals I've had to complete to get me ready thus far...each one really has been like its own little performance. Thinking back, now I appreciate all the time I spent in high school and undergrad doing music. was anybody else reminded of their recitals or music education association solo & ensemble performances while in the clinic? Maybe it's just me...😛

 

[Richard_Hom]

I echo KHE's comments regarding sabbaticals. I think it is invaluable for those who have alternate qualifications to see what the "other side of the fence". I didn't feel that "the grass was greener" over there.

I have been back in practice for the past six years and am enjoying it even more than before. I think it is important to do those things in optometry that get you excited and avoid those that don't.

 

[DrRobs]

If you're questioning the feild you probably aren't passionate about anything, yes there are pros and cons about any job, but those pros need to outweigh the cons to make you happy and if something is your passion you will (at least should) do your best to succeed however you can and do what it takes to get there. I haven't started school yet but I have been working for an OD in a small start-up practice for 2 years now and I see how difficult it can be sometimes but I have never questioned my decision because I feel so strongly that this is what I want to do with my life, it only took me a few low vision and vision therapy patients for me to realize how much you can help someone who did not think there was any hope, and yes there are the people and there are times when u will get frustrated with people but it doesn't last long 🙂

 

[rpames]

I've only been practicing since May 2007, but I have been around the profession my entire life. As KHE said, I have often thought about how great it would be to drive truck. You get in the cab and just drive, no people to deal with, no staff issues, no angry customers...but, the grass is always greener.

 

[JMU07]

I've only been practicing since May 2007, but I have been around the profession my entire life. As KHE said, I have often thought about how great it would be to drive truck. You get in the cab and just drive, no people to deal with, no staff issues, no angry customers...but, the grass is always greener.

My husband and father are both truck drivers. Believe me, it isn't as great as you might think it is! I would definitely pick optometrist over truck driver any day. 🙂 (of course, I haven't even started school yet...) You're right though.. the grass IS always greener.