Optometry should be more like Podiatry

[geronamo26]

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Optometrists are a lot like Podiatrists. We can only do so much medically..however, Podiatrists dont sell shoes...why do Optometrist have to sell glasses? As a student interested in the field of Optometry, I feel like there has been a lot of negative energy in this forum as well as others. If Oversupply is a problem as well as corperate optometry, how do we solve the problem? It doesn't seem like anything is being done. Although the ability to buy glasses online and contacts on the phone is an asset to the public, how is it an asset to the profession? Are ODs going to become straight retailers?

 

[nc2tarheels]

you can never convince an optometrist to stop selling glasses (as most their income comes from this).

 

[Moptometry]

you can never convince an optometrist to stop selling glasses (as most their income comes from this).

This is true, i have shadowed optometrists who get 30-35 % commission on whatever they sell, glasses or contacts. In terms of online sells, people might be able to buy glasses online, but contacs , no! you need an optometrist who can find the right fit for you, find the right solutions, as some contacts don't behave the same in ppls eyes. You can buy contacts online, but you can potentially go blind because of it or have infections if it doesn't fit your eyes right.

 

[thecgrblue]

Optometrists are a lot like Podiatrists. We can only do so much medically..however, Podiatrists dont sell shoes...why do Optometrist have to sell glasses? As a student interested in the field of Optometry, I feel like there has been a lot of negative energy in this forum as well as others. If Oversupply is a problem as well as corperate optometry, how do we solve the problem? It doesn't seem like anything is being done. Although the ability to buy glasses online and contacts on the phone is an asset to the public, how is it an asset to the profession? Are ODs going to become straight retailers?

They don't sell shoes b/c there is ABSOLUTELY NO purpose for them to sell regular shoes. Do they sell orthotics or other therapeutic footwear when needed....some do.

What is the point of prescribing a patient a treatment for their poor-vision if you can't supply it yourself?

Podiatry and Optometry are similar in that you don't go to medical school and become specialized in a field right out of school...that is all. You'd be pissing a large amount of earning potential down the drain by not providing options in your practice.

 

[ABaverage]

Lord, this doesn't make any logical sense. Please understand that prescribing glasses (and some contacts like say for keratoconus or aphakes) is a medical necessity. Along with VT, ocular meds, or what have you. This is just part of the profession and our practice. This is what makes optometry so different from other medical professions. We sell goods. We can take advantage from it and make a profit. Hey, why not?

Will optometry evolve to become entirely retail? Never.