Optician-optometry

Bootcamp for OAT
This forum made possible through the generous support of
SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
O

optics2020

Full Member
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2008
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
Members don't see this ad.
Hi everyone,

Has anyone went from being an optician to an optometrist? I am currently in opticianry school and I'm having a difficult time deciding on what major I should go for when I go for my BA/BS degree. I want a bachelor degree that would go along with my opticianry degree and the only thing I can think of is business or health care administration/management. I notice that many students major in a science during their undergrad which I assume would help out a lot when taking the OAT's. For people who did not major in a science, did you feel that you had a tougher time preparing for the OAT's?
 
It doesn't really matter what your degree is, as long as you fulfill the prerequisite courses for optometry school.
 
Last edited:
What Qwopty said..

Find something you like, and major in that.

A lot of people are science majors because most pre-od generally have an interest in the sciences. It may be beneficial (time/effort wise) to major in the sciences because you will simultaneously knock out pre-reqs and major requirements.

I am Optician --> OD hopeful, feel free to PM me w/ any specific questions.
 
Though it's true you need to ONLY complete the prereqs to enter optometry school, you want to take other science classes also so you can build a stronger foundation for optometry school. Optometry school is strictly science the first 2 years and there really aren't electives. So prepare yourself to handle the intensity of an academically rigorous program at a very fast pace.
 
DrSpontaneouz83 said:
Though it's true you need to ONLY complete the prereqs to enter optometry school, you want to take other science classes also so you can build a stronger foundation for optometry school. Optometry school is strictly science the first 2 years and there really aren't electives. So prepare yourself to handle the intensity of an academically rigorous program at a very fast pace.
Click to expand...

Umm... care to elaborate on what basis you make this statement?

I have no idea what optometry school you are referring to, because that certainly wasn't the case at my school.
 
DrSpontaneouz83 said:
Though it's true you need to ONLY complete the prereqs to enter optometry school, you want to take other science classes also so you can build a stronger foundation for optometry school. Optometry school is strictly science the first 2 years and there really aren't electives. So prepare yourself to handle the intensity of an academically rigorous program at a very fast pace.
Click to expand...

While having additional science classes beyond the prereqs is certainly nice, it is by no means necessary. If you have other interests - pursue them. You'll be more well rounded, which can only help your career.
 
qwopty99 said:
I have no idea what optometry school you are referring to, because that certainly wasn't the case at my school.
Click to expand...

😕

If you weren't taking science courses, (optics, anatomy, disease) your first two years, what were you taking? Perhaps one could argue that learning procedures isn't quite as scientific as say optics or anatomy, but basically everything is related science in one way or another.
 
I meant, take classes like Anatomy and Physiology, Immunology, Pathophysiology, Biochemistry, and Neurology. These classes will be taught in a short amount of time, so if you have the opportunity to take them..it will enhance your chances of successfully passing these courses. I didn't say you NEED to take them, but they will DEFINITELY help.

Qwotpy, what optometry school did U go to if it was not very science oriented the first 2 years. As far as I am concerned, 95% of schools focus on science based courses the first 2 years and the last 2 are more clinical. Yes, you may have some exposure to the optometry as an observing student...but you are not really seeing patients during the first 2 years.
 
DrSpontaneouz83 said:
I didn't say you NEED to take them, but they will DEFINITELY help.
Click to expand...

As a 3rd year, I will disagree in saying they will "definitely help". It completely depends on what the emphasis was in your undergrad course and how your professor in optometry school teaches the material. Theoretically it should all be the same... but it isn't. I am by no means telling pre-opts NOT take all these extra courses, but I don't think it is correct to paint the picture that they are at a significant disadvantage if they don't take them.
 
I never stated they would be at a disadvantage if they didn't take these courses. But if you're from a non-science background it WILL help. However, if you're an English major and going into optometry compared to a science major going into optometry..which one do u think may have a slight advantage?
 
The difference between "DEFINITELY help" and "may have a slight advantage" is significant.

If you have an English major and going into optometry compared to a science major going into optometry, which one do u think may have a slight advantage?
The argument can be made that in regards to effectively communicating to the patient, the English major would.

Bottom line, Major on whatever you'd like. Look at the pre-reqs for the school you're interested in, and successfully complete them.
 
Why, because people are pointing out the fallacies within your arguments?
 
No because people, like yourself, like to look under the microscope for bullsh*t. In my opinion you had no point. What the hell makes your opinions "the truth." Get over yourself!
 
DrSpontaneouz83 said:
No because people, like yourself, like to look under the microscope for bullsh*t. In my opinion you had no point. What the hell makes your opinions "the truth." Get over yourself!
Click to expand...

I'm over myself. 👍

My opinions are exactly that, MY opinions. But my opinions come from someone with (almost) three years of optometry school under their belt. You have yet to begin school, but are quick to point out what will or will not put someone at an advantage or disadvantage in school. If a practicing doc disagrees with me, I completely respect that, because they have more experience than I do.

There is no pissing match here, just me disagreeing with something you said. That is the point of SDN - healthy debate, and then we all walk away having hopefully learned something. There is no need to get upset. Really. We can agree to disagree, and the OP can do whatever they think is right for their situation.

To the OP...

Major in whatever you find most interesting, and whatever you think will be most beneficial to you. While taking additional science classes beyond the prereqs may prove to be helpful, you aren't necessarily at an advantage by doing so. So if you want to take these classes, take them. They can't hurt. But take them because you are genuinely interested in the material, not because you think it is going to make optometry school easier.
 
Well put PGE.

DS83, you seem to have a major chip on your shoulder. I have no need to argue with you.
 
prettygreeneyes said:
😕

If you weren't taking science courses, (optics, anatomy, disease) your first two years, what were you taking? Perhaps one could argue that learning procedures isn't quite as scientific as say optics or anatomy, but basically everything is related science in one way or another.
Click to expand...


Umm.... if your criteria for "science" is anything done in the 2 years of optom school, (e.g. clinical techniques courses), then you might as well say that ALL 4 YEARS of optometry school are "science courses".
 
Last edited:
qwopty99 said:
Umm.... if your criteria for "science" is anything done in the 2 years of optom school, (e.g. clinical techniques courses), then you might as well say that ALL 4 YEARS of optometry school are "science courses".

I think of "hard sciences" as "sciences" (microbiology, physiology, anatomy, etc.).

Things like colour vision, visual perception are as much "psychology" as science, and don't require a science background per se, to study.

I'm also wondering how Spectacle Dispensing is a "science" course.

Ethics?

Business management?

History of Optometry?

I'd say it's even a stretch to call the core clinical courses of optometry (e.g. low vision, pediatrics, binocular vision) science courses per se.

Have you ever met a scientist? Do they consider themselves to have any clinical knowledge?

So no. I don't think all of the first 2 years of optometry are composed of "science" courses.
Click to expand...


Ummm... OK.
 
Prettygreeneyes, my comment was not directed to you to begin with, but thank you for feeling the need to elaborate.

Zygote, I don't have a chip on my shoulder. I'm just tired of the same 2-3 people romaing around here, like yourself, acting like some Adcom people always trying to point a "flaw, according to you." Just say your piece without trying to dissect everyone elses. It's very obvious when people try to rebuttle things for the sake of stirring the pot. Anyway, I have no desire to argue. OPINIONS are not always learned through schooling either, some are just common sense.
 
DrSpontaneouz83 said:
Prettygreeneyes, my comment was not directed to you to begin with, but thank you for feeling the need to elaborate.

Zygote, I don't have a chip on my shoulder. I'm just tired of the same 2-3 people romaing around here, like yourself, acting like some Adcom people always trying to point a "flaw, according to you." Just say your piece without trying to dissect everyone elses. It's very obvious when people try to rebuttle things for the sake of stirring the pot. Anyway, I have no desire to argue. OPINIONS are not always learned through schooling either, some are just common sense.
Click to expand...

👍
 
DrSpontaneouz83 said:
Prettygreeneyes, my comment was not directed to you to begin with, but thank you for feeling the need to elaborate.

Zygote, I don't have a chip on my shoulder. I'm just tired of the same 2-3 people romaing around here, like yourself, acting like some Adcom people always trying to point a "flaw, according to you." Just say your piece without trying to dissect everyone elses. It's very obvious when people try to rebuttle things for the sake of stirring the pot. Anyway, I have no desire to argue. OPINIONS are not always learned through schooling either, some are just common sense.
Click to expand...

are you in high school ? cuz if you are that's hilarious.
 
Oh, and here is another one of them. LOL. From the posts I have read from you Gochi, I would like to ask if you're in Middle School?
 
DrSpontaneouz83 said:
Oh, and here is another one of them. LOL. From the posts I have read from you Gochi, I would like to ask if you're in Middle School?
Click to expand...

why not answer my question first? No im not in pathetic middle school. Others have made it so obvious that I failed the OD program at NOVA.
 
Ummm...I graduated with a BS in Biology in 2005. What do you think?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
PA Optometry license
Replies
1
Views
1K
Ryan_eyeball
Ryan_eyeball
Mr.Smile12
Happy World Optometry Day!
Replies
0
Views
1K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
Skylinee99
Jurisprudence Exam for Optometry
Replies
1
Views
3K
Ryan_eyeball
Ryan_eyeball
crossroads931
HPSP for Optometry School
Replies
0
Views
4K
crossroads931
crossroads931
M
Should I continue with Optometry?
Replies
5
Views
6K
Optometry Master
O
Top