Why do people say Optometry isn't a good field?

[SJ_D122]

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I've been seeing a lot of posts saying "don't go into optometry" etc, but why exactly? According to the BLS, optometry is the 10th fastest growing occupation over the next 10 years at a growth rate of 27% (average is 7%) IN THE USA, which i'm assuming most people on here are from and it correlates with Canada as well,, so what is all the fuss? We have an aging population and a growing population and it seems that in the NEAR future there won't be a "over saturation" of optometry students.

Here is the BLS: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/optometrists.htm

 

[jblil]

1. BLS numbers are notoriously unreliable. Just take a look at the Pharmacy section of SDN.
2. While the number of older adults will indeed see strong growth, the funds to pay for their healthcare won't keep up with that pace. Reasons are numerous: insurance companies want to remain profitable so they reduce reimbursements; Medicare is projecting a shortfall; there is no political will in Congress to raise taxes to pay for healthcare. Population growth and funding growth are two distinct animals.

If it makes you feel any better, all health professions are facing the same challenges; it's not limited to optometry.

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

I've been seeing a lot of posts saying "don't go into optometry" etc, but why exactly? According to the BLS, optometry is the 10th fastest growing occupation over the next 10 years at a growth rate of 27% (average is 7%) IN THE USA, which i'm assuming most people on here are from and it correlates with Canada as well,, so what is all the fuss? We have an aging population and a growing population and it seems that in the NEAR future there won't be a "over saturation" of optometry students.

Here is the BLS: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/optometrists.htm

Because the BLS is a terrible source of information...kind of like using the Better Business Bureau when you're researching restaurants.

Edit: The doom & gloom train are from practicing optometrists that had hopes of living in a big city like New York, Chicago, Boston, or California.
The return on investment with $250,000 of loans while making $80,000 pre-tax just makes it extremely difficult.

The field itself is already at saturation (and I cite this every time: http://optometrytimes.modernmedicin...ometric-association/optometric-manpower-study ). There is no growing patient base because baby boomers already have an established optometrist while the number of schools producing graduates continue to grow substantially.

 

[Mata]

Sigh. The health profession is supposed to be recession proof with great prospect. Since when has it been so unbecoming?

 

[Phil81kessel]

People say it is not good field because they didn't get in lol

 

[generallyspeaking]

People say it is not good field because they didn't get in lol

Optometry school is not hard to get into.

Sigh. The health profession is supposed to be recession proof with great prospect. Since when has it been so unbecoming?

The number of schools has increased 25% in 8 years. Too many providers wanting a piece of a shrinking pie. The same is happening to pharmacy, which has the number of schools increased by >50% in the last 15 years according to a pharmacist who wrote an opinion piece in the newspaper. Same for law and many others.

Private schools in higher education has become a big business. A lot of schools are pumping out professionals more than are necessary. Like with any environment, only the tough surive:
1) be the strongest/brightest/most charismatic player on the field and become king of the jungle. good luck. not only that, but garner the reputation necessary to even get your foot in the door.
2) be content with the scraps that you can gather (increased competition) or partner with a hand that feeds you even though the relationship may be toxic (corporate).
3) can't adapt/win? Get out of the lush coast to a less desirable place and be the king of the desert.