Is Canada a viable option?

[Iapyx]

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It appears that there will be a glut of optometrist in the upcoming years in the US. I am under the impression that the market for optometrist is better in Canada. Could a US citizen with a US opto degree realistically move to and practice in Canada(English speaking part). How does job security, lifestyle and pay compare? Thanks for the insight!

 

[Moptometry]

Not so good. People are going to Uk right after high school and getting their degrees there, then come back and do a 6 month course and get licensed in canada. Alot of people are also going to US ( which has a billion schools compared to canada) and come back in canada as OD. 30 million population is just not enough.

 

[imemily]

Not so good. People are going to Uk right after high school and getting their degrees there, then come back and do a 6 month course and get licensed in canada. Alot of people are also going to US ( which has a billion schools compared to canada) and come back in canada as OD. 30 million population is just not enough.

Can you explain this in more detail?

Wouldn't Canadian Optometry associations try to prevent the amount of optometrists practicing in Canada, since Canada, as you said, barely has 30 million people. That is about the size of California!!!

 

[physicslover]

u cant go to UK right after highschool and practice as an optometrist in canada. Under the current IOBP rules, you need to have at least done a 4 year optometry degree and 3 year undergrad or do a 4 year optometry degree with 3 years work experience

 

[hoops123]

I can only comment on one thing that most of the newly grads FORM the US practising here in Canada have told me that they make over 150 grand easily, this may be specifically in the city i live. But from what i've head newly grads in the US rarely make more than a 100 grand. I guess this can all be linked to the "supply and demand" process. Even though we have a population of 30 mill. we only have 1 optometry school, well 2 considering the French one, but the majority if us are English so 1 school for a population of ~ 30 mill.

 

[Iapyx]

I can only comment on one thing that most of the newly grads FORM the US practising here in Canada have told me that they make over 150 grand easily, this may be specifically in the city i live. But from what i've head newly grads in the US rarely make more than a 100 grand. I guess this can all be linked to the "supply and demand" process. Even though we have a population of 30 mill. we only have 1 optometry school, well 2 considering the French one, but the majority if us are English so 1 school for a population of ~ 30 mill.

That sounds great. Does anyone else have any experience with this? How would a US grad go about getting one of these jobs? Do you mind if I ask what area you are in. Thanks!

 

[Jay12]

I can only comment on one thing that most of the newly grads FORM the US practising here in Canada have told me that they make over 150 grand easily, this may be specifically in the city i live. But from what i've head newly grads in the US rarely make more than a 100 grand. I guess this can all be linked to the "supply and demand" process. Even though we have a population of 30 mill. we only have 1 optometry school, well 2 considering the French one, but the majority if us are English so 1 school for a population of ~ 30 mill.

I don't know so much about the "150 grand easily". I know of many recent graduates who are not making anywhere near that figure you speak of.

Now, with the University of Waterloo increasing their enrollment, the IOBP bridging program allowing foreign graduates an easy route to licensure, more Canadian students in the U.S. coming back to Canada to practice, opticians being able to refract (that being the case in B.C.).......I can understand why a lot of graduates I've spoken to don't make anywhere near the figure you've stated.

 

[chocol8]

how much have they increased their enrollment by? Are you talking about the increase from 60-90 students?

 

[Shnurek]

opticians being able to refract (that being the case in B.C.)

😱

This is one good thing about adding more optometry schools. If there is a lack of providers such as what happened to the medical students, other professionals such as ourselves step in and take a piece of the pie. Since there is only one/two Canadian schools then the opticians are given reason to step up to the plate to fill the gap.

 

[Jay12]

😱

This is one good thing about adding more optometry schools. If there is a lack of providers such as what happened to the medical students, other professionals such as ourselves step in and take a piece of the pie. Since there is only one/two Canadian schools then the opticians are given reason to step up to the plate to fill the gap.

I don't know how much of it has to do with the lack of optometric care for patients, as it has to do with politics and opticians wanting greater advancement in their profession.

 

[Jay12]

how much have they increased their enrollment by? Are you talking about the increase from 60-90 students?

Yes I believe they have increased enrollment up to 90 students.

 

[hoops123]

I don't know so much about the "150 grand easily". I know of many recent graduates who are not making anywhere near that figure you speak of.

Now, with the University of Waterloo increasing their enrollment, the IOBP bridging program allowing foreign graduates an easy route to licensure, more Canadian students in the U.S. coming back to Canada to practice, opticians being able to refract (that being the case in B.C.).......I can understand why a lot of graduates I've spoken to don't make anywhere near the figure you've stated.

ya. that's why i said this may be specific to only where i live. even construction workers here make 55$/hr and every single place is hiring.

 

[Bioflare]

It appears that there will be a glut of optometrist in the upcoming years in the US. I am under the impression that the market for optometrist is better in Canada. Could a US citizen with a US opto degree realistically move to and practice in Canada(English speaking part). How does job security, lifestyle and pay compare? Thanks for the insight!

I can only comment on what I've seen in Toronto (largest city in Canada). You'll be able to find a job, but its saturated in the city. You'll be making 80-100k easily though. For the bigger earnings you would have to move out of the big cities, wherever there is less competition. In smaller towns it is very likely that 150K is the norm.
Lifestyle would be the same, you decide your own hours if you are a partner in a practice or you'd be doing the 9-5 if working for walmart or lenscrafters. You could also serve multiple optical stores different days of the week (still deciding your own hours).

Not so good. People are going to Uk right after high school and getting their degrees there, then come back and do a 6 month course and get licensed in canada. Alot of people are also going to US ( which has a billion schools compared to canada) and come back in canada as OD. 30 million population is just not enough.

The IOBP is bad, but it isn't THAT bad. The requirements for re-entry and admittance into the IOBP require 2-3 years working in the country you are applying from, so it works out to be the same amount of time invested (4years optom in UK + 3 years working).

ya. that's why i said this may be specific to only where i live. even construction workers here make 55$/hr and every single place is hiring.

May I ask which province / area you live in? Good pay for a construction worker.

 

[hoops123]

I can only comment on what I've seen in Toronto (largest city in Canada). You'll be able to find a job, but its saturated in the city. You'll be making 80-100k easily though. For the bigger earnings you would have to move out of the big cities, wherever there is less competition. In smaller towns it is very likely that 150K is the norm.
Lifestyle would be the same, you decide your own hours if you are a partner in a practice or you'd be doing the 9-5 if working for walmart or lenscrafters. You could also serve multiple optical stores different days of the week (still deciding your own hours).


The IOBP is bad, but it isn't THAT bad. The requirements for re-entry and admittance into the IOBP require 2-3 years working in the country you are applying from, so it works out to be the same amount of time invested (4years optom in UK + 3 years working).


May I ask which province / area you live in? Good pay for a construction worker.

I live in Edmonton Alberta. I know a few people from high school that went into the construction work and they made 55$/ hr in fort mcmurray, which is very close, i think about half an hour drive from here.
Also last year we had a whole bunch of NECO grads who are working in Edmonton come to visit us and they told us its been less then 4 yrs since they started working and they are almost done paying their student loans, one of them even told us he made 200 grand last year!! and he only graduated 3 yrs ago.

 

[Bioflare]

Ah Alberta, that's good pay. I would consider moving there but your winters are too harsh for me. I enjoy not having to use a block heater on my car engine in winter xD.

 

[Jay12]

I live in Edmonton Alberta. I know a few people from high school that went into the construction work and they made 55$/ hr in fort mcmurray, which is very close, i think about half an hour drive from here.
Also last year we had a whole bunch of NECO grads who are working in Edmonton come to visit us and they told us its been less then 4 yrs since they started working and they are almost done paying their student loans, one of them even told us he made 200 grand last year!! and he only graduated 3 yrs ago.

Interesting. I'm also from Edmonton as well. Not to say that your wrong, or that those NECO grads are wrong, but through the interactions that I have had with recent graduates, in addition to those who have been practicing for many years, i cannot say that is the norm.

 

[hoops123]

Interesting. I'm also from Edmonton as well. Not to say that your wrong, or that those NECO grads are wrong, but through the interactions that I have had with recent graduates, in addition to those who have been practicing for many years, i cannot say that is the norm.

But you have to agree that the amount of money that a recent grad can make in Edmonton is more then what they make in the States, At least that's what my Optometrist told me. Obviously the amount of hours and location of practice play a huge part in how much you make.

 

[imemily]

But you have to agree that the amount of money that a recent grad can make in Edmonton is more then what they make in the States, At least that's what my Optometrist told me. Obviously the amount of hours and location of practice play a huge part in how much you make.

Mathematically, I don't know how that works to be honest.

There are 100 million more people in the states. Insurances pay more than $50 for an eye exam. Prescriptions are required to get glasses (in Canada, you don't need one to get glasses!) There is medical insurance, which Canada has no grasp on from what I've read. USA doesn't have a bridging program allowing foreign trained ODs to gain certification to practice Optometry.

Just some things off the top of my head.

 

[syma]

Mathematically, I don't know how that works to be honest.

There are 100 million more people in the states. Insurances pay more than $50 for an eye exam. Prescriptions are required to get glasses (in Canada, you don't need one to get glasses!) FALSE There is medical insurance, which Canada has no grasp on from what I've read.FALSE USA doesn't have a bridging program allowing foreign trained ODs to gain certification to practice Optometry. FALSE

Just some things off the top of my head.

You should have just kept your reply as 'I don't know how it works to be honest'

 

[imemily]

You should have just kept your reply as 'I don't know how it works to be honest'

Appraently, you don't know the ins and outs of your own profession.

Let me outline what I believe to be true in Canada in reference to your false claims:

False 1)

go to clearlycontacts.ca/coastalcontacts.ca and you can enter your own PD distance, which a refracting optician will gladly do, or you could even measure it yourself. Thus, no prescription is required to get glasses.

False 2)

Canada doesn't have medical insurance that pays optometrists. What it does have is nationalized health care- $40-$60 reimbursements for eye exams and other services, which are comparable to VISION plans in the USA. Entry level vision plays pay just about as much in Canada, while medical plans pay double or triple the Canadian amount.

False 3)

USA doesn't have a bridging program for internationally trained ODs, except for NECO. However, this is a much MUCH superior bridging program and thus acceptable. The IOBP is a really weak program and has undergone excessive criticism for pumping out graduates who are not capable of passing the national exam on their first attempt.

I am not trying to belittle you/your profession, but the facts stand. Proof/documentation is also available to support all my claims re: optometry in Canada.

 

[syma]

My dear, you could never belittle me with incorrect information. There is no proof/documentation to support your arguments if they are false.

Your first mistake was talking of a "nationalised healthcare" None actually exists as health care is a provincial government responsibility. And you're right, there are websites that only require the presicription entered. But that does not mean a prescription is not required.

You have one operating on your soil too. 😕 Well one of many, anyway.

http://www.framesdirect.com/

And provincial health care has not paid for persons between 18 and 65 for their eye test since November 2004. Ontario was the last province to stop free eye tests for everyone.

And many insurance plans will pay for your eye related costs. Here's an example.

http://www.sunlife.ca/Plan/Health/Personal+health+insurance?vgnLocale=en_CA


Google alone will squash all your claims. Perhaps focus on the American optometry field....

Actually, you got that one wrong too. NECO isn't the only school. (The rest isn't worth debating about, been there done that)

http://optometry.berkeley.edu/opt_txtpp/admissions/admitinternational.html

I hope you don't use information off the top of your head to write reports. The least you could do is use wikipedia. You can continue to "believe it to be true." But know that you're incorrect about it all.

 

[imemily]

My dear, you could never belittle me with incorrect information. There is no proof/documentation to support your arguments if they are false.

Your first mistake was talking of a "nationalised healthcare" None actually exists as health care is a provincial government responsibility. And you're right, there are websites that only require the presicription entered. But that does not mean a prescription is not required.

You have one operating on your soil too. 😕 Well one of many, anyway.

http://www.framesdirect.com/

And provincial health care has not paid for persons between 18 and 65 for their eye test since November 2004. Ontario was the last province to stop free eye tests for everyone.

And many insurance plans will pay for your eye related costs. Here's an example.

http://www.sunlife.ca/Plan/Health/Personal+health+insurance?vgnLocale=en_CA


Google alone will squash all your claims. Perhaps focus on the American optometry field....

Actually, you got that one wrong too. NECO isn't the only school. (The rest isn't worth debating about, been there done that)

http://optometry.berkeley.edu/opt_txtpp/admissions/admitinternational.html

I hope you don't use information off the top of your head to write reports. The least you could do is use wikipedia. You can continue to "believe it to be true." But know that you're incorrect about it all.

Do you want documentation/proof? Or should I even bother since you have already made your mind up about Optometry in Canada?

I wouldn't make this stuff up!

 

[Optoed]

Canada, as you said, barely has 30 million people. That is about the size of California!!!

Canada has a comparable population to California, except they are spread out in an area larger than the US.
Also, Alberta is famous for high wages..but not so friendly winters, from what I hear.

 

[KHE]

Who in the hell would want to live in Edmonton? It's 40 below six months of the year but thats not even the worst part. Having to suffer season after season of the Oilers??? Man.... That alone would make me not want to live there.

 

[imemily]

Syma, do you still want proof/documentation?

Once again, I am not against Optometry in Canada, but there are certain realities that people should consider if they would like to practice in Canada.

 

[KHE]

Syma, do you still want proof/documentation?

Once again, I am not against Optometry in Canada, but there are certain realities that people should consider if they would like to practice in Canada.

Maybe you all could specify where you practice, or where you're from?

 

[Jay12]

Having to suffer season after season of the Oilers??? Man.... That alone would make me not want to live there.

👍