Optometry Survey's, Studies, and Opinions

[ZHendrix]

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Hey all, I have been a lurker on this forum for some time and finally decided to join. I have tons of family involved in optometry and I am thinking of joining them as well. I'd like to get some information outside of the family because I dont know how reliable they are other than giving me the "Go for It!" attitude.

I would like to conduct a study, first to see if my idea's are crazy or have been attempted before. I am interested if any doctors, students, recent alumni, etc have any copies of survey's or studies on the following:

How recent graduates obtain job's
What associations most optometrist are a part of
How recent graduates finance and pay off school loans
Optometrist Exit or Expanding Strategy
Any closely related topics

Thanks for all the help! Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[ODhopeful]

Hey all, I have been a lurker on this forum for some time and finally decided to join. I have tons of family involved in optometry and I am thinking of joining them as well. I'd like to get some information outside of the family because I dont know how reliable they are other than giving me the "Go for It!" attitude.

I would like to conduct a study, first to see if my idea's are crazy or have been attempted before. I am interested if any doctors, students, recent alumni, etc have any copies of survey's or studies on the following:

How recent graduates obtain job's
What associations most optometrist are a part of
How recent graduates finance and pay off school loans
Optometrist Exit or Expanding Strategy
Any closely related topics

Thanks for all the help! Any suggestions will be appreciated.

You should ask the ppl that are around you about those questions coz things are pretty negative around here.. I'm a student so I can't answer any of those questions u're asking, but one advice for ya, research carefully before deciding coz opt school is pretty tough, cost lots of money/time, and a lot of stuff you learn you will probably not use. Take that $150,000 and go buy yourself a bar or something.

 

[IndianaOD]

Hey all, I have been a lurker on this forum for some time and finally decided to join. I have tons of family involved in optometry and I am thinking of joining them as well. I'd like to get some information outside of the family because I dont know how reliable they are other than giving me the "Go for It!" attitude.

I would like to conduct a study, first to see if my idea's are crazy or have been attempted before. I am interested if any doctors, students, recent alumni, etc have any copies of survey's or studies on the following:

How recent graduates obtain job's
What associations most optometrist are a part of
How recent graduates finance and pay off school loans
Optometrist Exit or Expanding Strategy
Any closely related topics

Thanks for all the help! Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Finding a job is easy, finding a career is difficult. If your goal is to practice real optometry (private, academics, referall center) they you must start networking and searching for the right opportunity from the start.

Optometrists should be part of the American Optometric Association (AOA) and American Academy of Optometry (AAO). Some are part of missions orginizations such as Fellowship of Christian Optometrists (FCO) and Volunteer Opt Services for Humanity (VOSH). Besides that, a lot of private docs are members of a lot of local organizations such as Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Etc...

All loans need paid off, just need to keep the debt low in the first place. Otherwise its spread out over 30 years so its not crippling.

Private docs sell their practices to associates or someone else. Commercial docs just walk away.

Its a great profession, just a lot of work. It should not be about the money, though most make a comfortable living. I would suggest spending some time with some different health professions to see if you like one better than others. I'd suggest Optometry, Dentistry, Podiatry, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and possibly some more specialized medical professionals. You might even try following a nurse practicioner.

Hope that helps.

 

[Hines302]

You should ask the ppl that are around you about those questions coz things are pretty negative around here.. I'm a student so I can't answer any of those questions u're asking, but one advice for ya, research carefully before deciding coz opt school is pretty tough, cost lots of money/time, and a lot of stuff you learn you will probably not use. Take that $150,000 and go buy yourself a bar or something.

This statement is false. If you are not applying anatomy, physio, neuro... etc... in every exam with every patient.. you are doing something wrong. You are a Doctor who examins, manages, diagnosis, and treats disorders and diseases. Even correction of refractive erros requires understanding of these concepts.

 

[ODhopeful]

This statement is false. If you are not applying anatomy, physio, neuro... etc... in every exam with every patient.. you are doing something wrong. You are a Doctor who examins, manages, diagnosis, and treats disorders and diseases. Even correction of refractive erros requires understanding of these concepts.

Hold up... I'm in class 2009 and ur in 2010 so that means I know what I'm talking about coz I've already seen "5" patients down in the clinic. LOL. I guess Hines302 has a point, but chances are ur just refracting. I really havent used much anatomy, physio, and neuro if any at all, but then again those ppl are probably walking away with a brain tumor in their head.
Hines, let me know how much of that stuff u use after u've seen a few patients. I think ur in for a big surprise... 😱