optometry experience

[RLK]

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How can I get experience in optometry? Is shadowing an optometrist about the only way to get experience? I'll do just about anything that's necessary to be accepted somewhere and from what I've heard from people on this forum is that a lot of optometry experience can really help.

Thanks

 

[foureyes2020]

Volunteering is a great way to get some quick experience, when i did it i had the opportunity to take vision assesment, case history, measure inter-ocular pressure, and determine if optometry is really what i wanted to do.
there are many volunteer programs around the country that focus on vision care. I lived in Atlanta ga and i volunteered my time with Prevent Blindness. But the Lion's club or VOSH may have activities in your area.

 

[RLK]

Volunteering is a great way to get some quick experience, when i did it i had the opportunity to take vision assesment, case history, measure inter-ocular pressure, and determine if optometry is really what i wanted to do.
there are many volunteer programs around the country that focus on vision care. I lived in Atlanta ga and i volunteered my time with Prevent Blindness. But the Lion's club or VOSH may have activities in your area.

Thanks for the info!

 

[odstudent]

Thanks for the info!

find a job working for an optometrist. I think that'll look better than just shadowing one. It would also make it easier obtaining a great letter of recommendation.

 

[ODhopeful]

Yo RLK
I agree with ODstudent since you will probably get more experience and also a good recommendation letter, but did I mention the $$$$. Maybe that's not an issue with you, but I don't like to work for free.

 

[ucbsowarrior]

How can I get experience in optometry? Is shadowing an optometrist about the only way to get experience? I'll do just about anything that's necessary to be accepted somewhere and from what I've heard from people on this forum is that a lot of optometry experience can really help.

Thanks

You should expose yourself to more than just the average od office environment. You should examine and explore a cross-sectional view of the entire ocular healthcare delivery system. You'll need to volunteer w/ omd, od. oc. etc....

The more the better, not for getting into schools, but for understanding if this is the 'ideal' career path for you.

UCBSO Warrior

 

[kittyn]

Volunteering is a great way to get some quick experience, when i did it i had the opportunity to take vision assesment, case history, measure inter-ocular pressure, and determine if optometry is really what i wanted to do.
there are many volunteer programs around the country that focus on vision care. I lived in Atlanta ga and i volunteered my time with Prevent Blindness. But the Lion's club or VOSH may have activities in your area.

I am a student volunteer board member with Prevent Blindness Texas.

Due to my schedule conflict and where I live in the greater Houston area, I am having a difficult time finding a job at any optometry office or shadowing an optometry office.

So do you think volunteering is good enough?

 

[r_salis]

I am a student volunteer board member with Prevent Blindness Texas.

Due to my schedule conflict and where I live in the greater Houston area, I am having a difficult time finding a job at any optometry office or shadowing an optometry office.

So do you think volunteering is good enough?

Wow, you found an old post! 😉

Volunteering is a perfectly acceptable way to get experience. Many people just shadow a couple optometrists in different modes of practice to get their experience. The admissions committees are primarily looking to see that you understand the profession and some of the issues it faces.

Good luck!

 

[drmhyde]

How can I get experience in optometry? Is shadowing an optometrist about the only way to get experience? I'll do just about anything that's necessary to be accepted somewhere and from what I've heard from people on this forum is that a lot of optometry experience can really help.

Thanks

Get excellent grades, kill the OAT, get to know the people (accceptace committee/student affairs office) at the college you want to go to, make friends with an OD/shadow or work for them, don't screw up your interview, and pray.

 

[traveljunky]

find a job working for an optometrist. I think that'll look better than just shadowing one. It would also make it easier obtaining a great letter of recommendation.

Hey im kinda new at this but what exactly do you do working at an optometry office- most of the places ive gone to said that they only hiered opticians. What kind of work do you do if you and undergrad with no experience?

 

[pienfoo]

Hey im kinda new at this but what exactly do you do working at an optometry office- most of the places ive gone to said that they only hiered opticians. What kind of work do you do if you and undergrad with no experience?

setting appointments, general filing, slave work, patient workups, checking in orders or glasses/contacts, updating records online, etc etc. there's actually plenty to do. just make yourself sound marketable : )