Is age a huge factor in deciding a career in optometry?

[geronamo26]

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I am 28yo right now, but I think I will be 33 when I enter optometry school. I really want to do optometry, but with the burden of loans to pay off at that age, is it a wise decision? I would be 38 by the time I am done with school and residency.

 

[hrdwrknXsoldier]

I will be 31 when i start class this fall. I know many optometrists who went into the field as a second choice. Optometry as a career is less stressful than many professions. I read a stat the other day about optometrists in Seattle Magazine which stated 42% of optometrists work past 70. Optometrists also have the lowest divorce rate in the US.

 

[EyeStudent]

I am 28yo right now, but I think I will be 33 when I enter optometry school. I really want to do optometry, but with the burden of loans to pay off at that age, is it a wise decision? I would be 38 by the time I am done with school and residency.

I'm a first year at IAUPR and I will be 35 when I graduate. I was surprised to find that there is a'lot of older students in the school( probably average age is 26), so you definitly won't be alone. I would say pursue the profession if you will dedicate yourself to the work, and in my opinion, it is worth it. We will owe alot of money! probably live paycheck to paycheck to payoff a mortgage, loans, and bills; but I would rather work day in and day out doing something i like.

 

[DawgOD]

Go for it.. I'm 27 now, and will be 31 when I finish school..

Debt is debt no matter how old you are.. lol.

 

[iVision07]

I agree. I think you'll have debt no matter what age..until maybe your 50+ esp if you have a house! lol

but I think age to me was an issue. Graduating out of optometry school at age 30 for a guy vs a girl is different. For the females, I always thought women should have their first baby by 30, and more by 35 if she wants to, since its better to have kids younger than later. So if graduating at 30 and not married because of school, etc. its kinda hard to set that family life. And once you graduate, I would think you would want to get a start into your career..so kids have to come later. So that's why I thought age was an issue for women a little bit more so than men. =/

 

[Optomoption]

I'm in the same boat right now, I'm going to be 27 in a few months, and am thinking of returning to school to become an optometrist. I have to start from the beginning and get all the prerequisites and apply to optometry school. So, I'll be about 35.

It's going to be a tough decision to have to place my life on hold again for education. But it's better to do it now, than to put it off longer. I say go for it!

 

[JSMLK]

Few things...

I am 34 and in my second year of optometry school. No real problems there.

If you are really worried about debt/money, consider using the military optometry scholarships. I was in the military for 9 years prior to this and am using a scholarship now. They pay 100% tuition, plus 2,000/month stipend, plus the thousands of dollars in equipment. The military may or may not be right for you, but it is a good work environment for most people.

Even if you graduate in your mid-30's, you can still practice for 20 years at least.

If you are a woman worried about children, there are a few women in my school who have children and you have actually given birth during school. It's a real challenge, but can be done.
P.S. I'm not the one giving birth, but have two children of my own...🙂