SAlary and Scope of Optometry specialities

[manthan1490]

Hello There,

I was planning to become an O.D. My question is that I am interested in the pediatric optometry residency program after that. however, I cant any website which shows the job scope of any speciality of O.D. and how much these specialities get paid.

Does anyone know which speciality has a good job scope and what the salary would be? I know the average salary of a O.D. is around 100K. So I am assuming that salaries for those who have specialities will be higher.

Thanks

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[achirum]

Hello There,

I was planning to become an O.D. My question is that I am interested in the pediatric optometry residency program after that. however, I cant any website which shows the job scope of any speciality of O.D. and how much these specialities get paid.

Does anyone know which speciality has a good job scope and what the salary would be? I know the average salary of a O.D. is around 100K. So I am assuming that salaries for those who have specialities will be higher.

Thanks

Don't think that is the case actually. At least not directly.

 

[JAZZEYE]

Does anyone know which speciality has a good job scope and what the salary would be? I know the average salary of a O.D. is around 100K. So I am assuming that salaries for those who have specialities will be higher.

If more money is the goal... I think Business Management specialty is something you might want to consider.

 

[Absolute Vision]

manthan,

You really need to do some more shadowing and research on the profession.

 

[chewbacca4321]

Asking the question on a forum where you have pre-optometry students, optometry students, and optometrists is a part of the research. This is where you will find uncensored yet professional answers. While I agree that students have a responsibility to research information so they are not ignorant and to use the search function on the SDN forums, there are some questions that are difficult to find, and asking those within the field is the best way to go. THIS IS THE PURPOSE OF THE SDN FORUM. Really, to tell the OP that they need to do more research, not only in this post but others, prevents people from posting what question they may have because this makes them believe that their questions are unimportant and stupid. Please, lets refrain from that. Even if questions don't apply to me, I enjoy reading and answering on this forum.

To address the OP's questions, I haven't asked OD's in specialties how much they make (because I'm not too comfortable asking people how much they make), but I can't imagine it would be more because of the residency itself. My guess is that it would widen their scope of practice because they have more experience within that particular specialty, so that would widen their patient base, allowing them to potentially make more money (refraction/general optometry + specialty). I know that during the residency, you make squat (around $30K-$40K), but then again, you do it for the experience, not the money (and your loans are deferred during that year as well). During the hiring process, some places like VA hospitals may only consider candidates who have taken part in residencies. It's up to you whether or not you want to enter a residency. People have differing opinions. As for money, anyone else know?

 

[Absolute Vision]

Chewy,

There's nothing wrong with my response to the OP. If you disagree with me, then ignore it, but don't tell me how I should respond to someone else's post.

It's really important for the OP to shadow several different pediatric ODs to learn more about the subspecialty. Have a set of questions ready to ask the shadowing doctor. For example, what's the difference between obtaining a residency vs a fellowship? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Is it worth it to do a residency or a fellowship? I'm assuming that the OP is wanting to learn more about a pediatric optometry/vision therapy residency.

For more info on pediatric optometry/VT residency, here are some links that I GOOGLED:

http://www.salus.edu/optometry/residency/res_Ped_VT.html

http://www.sco.edu/residency/PediatricOptometry/Documents/policies.html

http://optometry.berkeley.edu/opt_txtpp/programs/residency/resid_progdescrp.html#residped

As far as job scope/outlook is involved, the OP may have to ask the shadowing ODs themselves. Yes, it may be difficult to ask them on the first visit, but as you develop more rapport with the doctors, then it will be easier for you to ask.

 

[chewbacca4321]

NOW your post is helpful. Thanks!

 

[zxcutiemdr]

i think chewbacca is right
as u can see im a new member here n i been very weary to post up any questions that i have because i see how often ppl r yelled at for asking a "stupid" question...please dont be soo mean cuz ima start askin questions soon too

 

[optsuker]

A residency does not automatically equal more money.
It will make you more confident/experienced in a particular area of optometry and will make you more attractive to some employers.
Most OD's who did a residency have no regrets about doing it, even if it didn't lead to a higher salary.

In general, a residency is almost a must:

• If you want to teach/research
• getting employed at a tiertiary care opthalmology center/specialty clinic
• if you want to be a referral center for other OD's (ie. low vision/VT)

 

[kiwi5frog]

i think chewbacca is right
as u can see im a new member here n i been very weary to post up any questions that i have because i see how often ppl r yelled at for asking a "stupid" question...please dont be soo mean cuz ima start askin questions soon too

zx- cutie -mdr : we all look forward to you questions. However, may I advise that when you do, you conduct your writing in a level a little above that of xanga/myspace/facebook. ("dont be soo mean cuz ima start askin") I think speaking that way may add to ones personality and general pizazz 👍, but never in writing 👎.

 

[zxcutiemdr]

Dear Tropical fruit-5-amphibian,

Thank you for the suggestion. I will be sure to never make this mistake again. I am truly repentant of the way in which I decided to type on this forum. Please do find it in your heart to forgive me.

Sincerely,
Me

P.S. I do understand where you are coming from but I don't find it fair that not just you but people in general think they can assume that they know about a person's writing abilities due to a post on the internet. It is not like I'm e-mailing my professor or anything. I guess I really will take up your advice though because ... I just don't want people being mean to me 🙂

 

[Mewcakes]

I don't find it fair that not just you but people in general think they can assume that they know about a person's writing abilities due to a post on the internet. It is not like I'm e-mailing my professor or anything.

It's nothing to do with your writing abilities. It's just really difficult to read/comprehend quickly. And it can sometimes be hard to be respectful towards you when you too lazy (or tired, or pizazzy) to make the extra keystrokes to come off as respectful towards us. We may not be your professors (though some of the optometrists here could be, one day), but are your peers. Know what I mean?

 

[kiwi5frog]

Dear Tropical fruit-5-amphibian,

Thank you for the suggestion. I will be sure to never make this mistake again. I am truly repentant of the way in which I decided to type on this forum. Please do find it in your heart to forgive me.

Sincerely,
Me

P.S. I do understand where you are coming from but I don't find it fair that not just you but people in general think they can assume that they know about a person's writing abilities due to a post on the internet. It is not like I'm e-mailing my professor or anything. I guess I really will take up your advice though because ... I just don't want people being mean to me 🙂

ah. Much better. 👍 Though it doesn't seem my comment to you assumed anything about your writing ability, personality, intelligence, style, or anything of the matter (hence calling the "style" a possible personality quirk as opposed to immature or barely intelligible). I'm not sure how else I could have helped you out by recommending full words in a gentler manner.

PS: Mewcakes rocks. Love the avatar.

 

[zxcutiemdr]

lol
Yes I was certainly taking things waaaaayyy too personally that day
😀

 

[Mewcakes]

PS: Mewcakes rocks. Love the avatar.

Come to SCO and we can mew at cakes together! Yeah, I love that kitten. I shall own it someday.

 

[ICOOD]

Hello There,

I was planning to become an O.D. My question is that I am interested in the pediatric optometry residency program after that. however, I cant any website which shows the job scope of any speciality of O.D. and how much these specialities get paid.

Does anyone know which speciality has a good job scope and what the salary would be? I know the average salary of a O.D. is around 100K. So I am assuming that salaries for those who have specialities will be higher.

Thanks

Insurance companies do not care if you are a specialist- u get paid the same as a Walmart OD. Specializing is good for teaching at schools.