Hey y'all!
I'm pretty new to the forum and actually pretty new to the pre-optometry community as well. It's really awesome to see so many people with similar interests. I'm curious to know what made you guys want to pursue optometry. I'll start off. For me it was a few reasons.
I've worn glasses for as long as I can remember and have a few different eye issues. Although my conditions are easily fixed, I've always felt a little sorry for myself for having to wear glasses and a little envious of those who don't. My doctor has also been quite an inspiration. I've had an amazing ophthalmologist for most of my life. Unfortunately for me (prob not for her), she's now retired and I've lost her. But anyways, I graduated from college this past May with a degree in biology. Through most of college, I worked as a teller at a bank and had many opportunities to move up but didn't due to school. I really enjoyed the coursework I did and although I was unsure how the degree would benefit me, I went on with it. I didn't think about switching over to a major that was more banking related because I didn't think I needed to. The bank I worked at provided all kinds of awesome online training and I would spend my down time doing that.
This past summer, I had one of the most amazing cultural and life experiences. My family moved here from Pakistan almost 15 years ago. I remembered almost nothing about the country or my extended family there. Long story short, it was a month full of traditional culture, amazing food (even if it did upset my stomach almost daily), and an amazing family I didn't even know I had. Among them was a neighbor and friend of my late grandmother. She lives in a very small village which often experiences long power outages. We visited the village and spent a few days there. I met her the first day and greeted the sweet old woman as a grandmotherly figure. The following day, she greeted me again and kissed me and asked for me to come sit by her since she hadn't seen me in so long. Confused, I responded with something like "Ma, you saw us yesterday, remember?" I assumed she was just forgetting, understandable, considering her age. Her reply shook me and brought tears to my eyes. "I met you yesterday, but I didn't see you." As I looked back at her, I noticed several cloudy spots in her eyes that I'd somehow missed before. Here I was, sitting under a clear dark and star filled sky beside a woman who hadn't seen me in 15 years and couldn't see me now. I remember being thankful for the power outage that hid my tears from everyone else. I cried as pangs of guilt hit me in my gut. I'd actually felt sorry for myself because I wore glasses?! Because I had the money and the means to be treated?! I cried because she'd lived her years this way and accepted it. I cried because I knew that given her circumstances, she wouldn't be able to see a doctor or be treated for her cataracts. And I cried because I couldn't help her.
So here I am now, back in the states, back to my very privileged life. I can't think of anything that I care about more than helping people with their visual health. I also would love to get into vision therapy as an alternative to visual aids for kids like myself who hate glasses.
Your turn. I can't wait to read your responses and get to know you guys better. Sorry for the long read!
I'm pretty new to the forum and actually pretty new to the pre-optometry community as well. It's really awesome to see so many people with similar interests. I'm curious to know what made you guys want to pursue optometry. I'll start off. For me it was a few reasons.
I've worn glasses for as long as I can remember and have a few different eye issues. Although my conditions are easily fixed, I've always felt a little sorry for myself for having to wear glasses and a little envious of those who don't. My doctor has also been quite an inspiration. I've had an amazing ophthalmologist for most of my life. Unfortunately for me (prob not for her), she's now retired and I've lost her. But anyways, I graduated from college this past May with a degree in biology. Through most of college, I worked as a teller at a bank and had many opportunities to move up but didn't due to school. I really enjoyed the coursework I did and although I was unsure how the degree would benefit me, I went on with it. I didn't think about switching over to a major that was more banking related because I didn't think I needed to. The bank I worked at provided all kinds of awesome online training and I would spend my down time doing that.
This past summer, I had one of the most amazing cultural and life experiences. My family moved here from Pakistan almost 15 years ago. I remembered almost nothing about the country or my extended family there. Long story short, it was a month full of traditional culture, amazing food (even if it did upset my stomach almost daily), and an amazing family I didn't even know I had. Among them was a neighbor and friend of my late grandmother. She lives in a very small village which often experiences long power outages. We visited the village and spent a few days there. I met her the first day and greeted the sweet old woman as a grandmotherly figure. The following day, she greeted me again and kissed me and asked for me to come sit by her since she hadn't seen me in so long. Confused, I responded with something like "Ma, you saw us yesterday, remember?" I assumed she was just forgetting, understandable, considering her age. Her reply shook me and brought tears to my eyes. "I met you yesterday, but I didn't see you." As I looked back at her, I noticed several cloudy spots in her eyes that I'd somehow missed before. Here I was, sitting under a clear dark and star filled sky beside a woman who hadn't seen me in 15 years and couldn't see me now. I remember being thankful for the power outage that hid my tears from everyone else. I cried as pangs of guilt hit me in my gut. I'd actually felt sorry for myself because I wore glasses?! Because I had the money and the means to be treated?! I cried because she'd lived her years this way and accepted it. I cried because I knew that given her circumstances, she wouldn't be able to see a doctor or be treated for her cataracts. And I cried because I couldn't help her.
So here I am now, back in the states, back to my very privileged life. I can't think of anything that I care about more than helping people with their visual health. I also would love to get into vision therapy as an alternative to visual aids for kids like myself who hate glasses.
Your turn. I can't wait to read your responses and get to know you guys better. Sorry for the long read!