Optometry in San Diego?

[DrEvil518]

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Hi everyone! My name is Meredith, and I'm a non-trad in San Diego. I'm attending community college to fulfill prerequisites for Optometry school. I worked as a web designer for the first 5 years out of college, and the rude clients, over-saturated market, low pay, and disrespect from managers ultimately led me to leave the field.

I was all set to proceed with Optometry, based on discussions with older Optometrists in the area (who have established practices.) However, further research online has indicated that Optometry is an extremely over-saturated field, especially on the west coast. I ultimately want to settle down in San Diego, and after dealing with a saturated market in my first, doomed, career, I'd hate to set myself up for the same situation a second time around.

I apologize for any errors on here, but I also have heard the following: California is a bit easier for Optometrists because it's easier to get vision care on insurance plans out here. However, opening a private practice is becoming increasingly difficult (presumably due to wal-mart, lenscrafters, etc.) I certainly don't mean to start another walmart=good vs. walmart=bad thread, I am just curious if the majority of you on here think it will truly be an issue in San Diego in particular. I don't mind a commute to outlying areas, but I wouldn't want my commute to exceed about 40 minutes.

Anyone who is familiar with the San Diego market, will you please respond at your convenience, and tell me if you have any input! Thanks VERY much, and I hope you all have a great day!

Oh! One more thing, my parents keep saying they are concerned that Lasik will hurt the field. However, I have read that Lasik procedures actually increase business because patients are required to have a certain amount of followup visits. I have also read that, in the future, Optometrists may be licensed to perform Lasik! Is this true?

Again, thanks a BUNCH for any input!!!!!!

 

[Ben Chudner]

Oh! One more thing, my parents keep saying they are concerned that Lasik will hurt the field. However, I have read that Lasik procedures actually increase business because patients are required to have a certain amount of followup visits. I have also read that, in the future, Optometrists may be licensed to perform Lasik! Is this true?

I can't answer anything about finding a job in the San Diego market, but I wanted to respond to the above before this thread heads down that familiar road where OMD's tell us how we are not qualified to perform surgical procedures. LASIK has been around for quite some time now and it has not hurt our profession. There are plenty of people that do not qualify for the procedure for various reasons such as their glasses Rx, corneal thickness, dry eyes, certain diseases, etc. Then there are those that are scared of the procedure. Even those that have LASIK will still need to have eye exams to monitor for disease, and most will end up needed reading glasses at some point. As for OD's becomming licensed to perform the procedure, I just do not see that happening. The vast majority of OD's have no desire to expand our scope into surgical procedures like cataract extraction and LASIK, and even if we did (which we don't), the OMD's would not let it happen.

 

[DrEvil518]

Thank you so much for your prompt and informative reply!!! I've been lurking for awhile, and I always enjoy your posts 🙂

 

[Ben Chudner]

Thank you so much for your prompt and informative reply!!! I've been lurking for awhile, and I always enjoy your posts 🙂

I am from So Cal originally and did my undergrad at UC Irvine. I miss the area, so I can understand your desire to practice there when you graduate. I hope it works out for you.