Why you all are interested in optometry? Please reconsider while you're ahead.

[yahoo23]

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I seriously thought about the profession until I did research. The market in OVER-saturated, it is now commercialized (Walmart, etc.), the pay is very low ( sub 100K BEFORE taxes) with regard to the amount of debt you will accrue, it is not recognized as a true health service provider, it is dull (95% refraction no matter what others or the optometry schools say-they just want your money), no recognition from other healthcare professionals, the list goes on.......
This profession will never allow you to help others to the degree that an MD/DO will - not even close.

This is coming from a true student who was ACCEPTED to a TOP optometry school. I sent in my deposit and shortly realized what a mistake I made. The best decision of my life. If you feel you are only pursuing this profession because you have average grades and don't know what to do with your bio degree, please pursue something different. A large majority of optometry applicants would rather go to med school. Consider DO at the least. This profession will never fulfill the dreams you have for yourself.

One last thing, this forum SAVED me from making a big mistake and I thank the posters who helped me realize the truth and not the lies the optometry schools have crammed in your ears. If you want to go to med school (like me), DO IT. Now I realize that many optometry students and optometrists will pounce on this thread like a dog in heat, saying that they love the profession and regurgitating the lies that have been told to them - trying to defend themselves and make themselves feel ok about their decision. I will probably be called a TROLL and whatnot (this is the only thread I have ever posted on here). Whatever, if I help those who desire to truly help people pursue other methods, I will have done my job. Thanks for reading.

 

[lirpa44]

Heeeeeeeeey..A lot of this sounds familiar. Must be good ol SeniorEye with a new member name... For more negativity on the profession here is his previous post
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=511191&highlight=senioreye+troll

 

[hurricaneuro]

Welp...I think you should consider those of us on this forum that have shadowed and talked to optometrists and realized that this is a profession we are interested in and would love to work in for many reasons. After shadowing you should have been able to see whether the posts on this forum were "lies" or not.

Who is to say that everything you read about MD's/DO's aren't lies as well? Go find out for yourself.

You aren't saving anyone from a bad decision. Anyone who changes their mind from an online message board post clearly didn't have enough passion/really want to be an optometrist in the first place. So, really, you are saving the profession from mediocre optometrists. So-- thank you! 🙂

 

[KHE]

Welp...I think you should consider those of us on this forum that have shadowed and talked to optometrists and realized that this is a profession we are interested in and would love to work in for many reasons. After shadowing you should have been able to see whether the posts on this forum were "lies" or not.

Who is to say that everything you read about MD's/DO's aren't lies as well? Go find out for yourself.

You aren't saving anyone from a bad decision. Anyone who changes their mind from an online message board post clearly didn't have enough passion/really want to be an optometrist in the first place. So, really, you are saving the profession from mediocre optometrists. So-- thank you! 🙂

The OP makes some very legitimate points. He packages them poorly but he says some legitimate things.

I think the key for optometry students and people thinking of entering this profession is that you have to have a specific plan. Many people fall into the idea of "hey, I'm gonna be an eye doctor. I'm gonna have my own Guggenheim type private practice and my patients will love me." Once you're out of school, it's not as easy to walk into some high paying position as it is in many medical specialties. Many graduates languish in less than desireable career situation for years after they graduate and some never escape.

That's why you need a plan, and the question that you should be asking the ODs you shadow is not "what are the negatives?" because the responses will almost surely be the standard "rude patients, insurance hassles, blah blah blah."

What you should ask people is "what are the negatives about your profession that you DID NOT EXPECT when you entered it?"

 

[CaliOD25]

A large majority of optometry applicants would rather go to med school. Consider DO at the least. This profession will never fulfill the dreams you have for yourself.

One last thing, this forum SAVED me from making a big mistake and I thank the posters who helped me realize the truth and not the lies the optometry schools have crammed in your ears. If you want to go to med school (like me), DO IT.

I think the most important thing that can be gained from this diatribe is to only pursue optometry if you really want to. If you LONG to go to medical school, then do it. No one is forcing you to be an optometrist.

Specifically to yahoo23, some of us actually do want to do optometry school over medical school. And please give students some credit...We don't all just believe everything we hear from schools and websites like this one.

I sincerely hope you are happy with your change of direction, but know that some of us don't want or need you to 'save' us.

 

[yahoo23]

Welp...I think you should consider those of us on this forum that have shadowed and talked to optometrists and realized that this is a profession we are interested in and would love to work in for many reasons. After shadowing you should have been able to see whether the posts on this forum were "lies" or not.

Who is to say that everything you read about MD's/DO's aren't lies as well? Go find out for yourself.

You aren't saving anyone from a bad decision. Anyone who changes their mind from an online message board post clearly didn't have enough passion/really want to be an optometrist in the first place. So, really, you are saving the profession from mediocre optometrists. So-- thank you! 🙂

You hit the nail right on the head. I am trying to stop those who are choosing optometry as a second/third resort. If you truly love optometry, then you have no need to respond in this forum.

 

[yahoo23]

Heeeeeeeeey..A lot of this sounds familiar. Must be good ol SeniorEye with a new member name... For more negativity on the profession here is his previous post
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=511191&highlight=senioreye+troll

I am not who you say I am. I am truthfully a 1st-time poster. Believe it or not, MANY people share these views on optometry, not just a select few.

 

[Arctic]

I would strongly encourage students who truly desire med. school (allopathic or osteopathic is ok too) to not 'settle' for optometry, so to speak, because it is a different kind of health profession entirely. It IS possible to make well over 100k annually in optometry, however it is definitely quite unrealistic for most students to hope for that kind of salary coming out of school, as it takes exceptional practice management skills, and a long investment in time and effort, to ever have a chance to make a 'killing' so to speak. And many, many optometrists will never own their own practice, so prospective students should keep that in mind, as well.

If your desire is to gain loads of money, have the 'status' of being a doctor, etc., then those are TERRIBLE reasons, in my mind, to enter optometry, and I have, unfortunately, met some pre-optometry students with those beliefs (although I also think those are awful reasons for attending med. school). I strongly encourage those students to not pursue optometry. However, there are plenty of reasons that I think optometry is a great career path for me, and I assure you that loads of money, status, etc. are NOT what I am after. I would never blanket-recommend optometry to undergrad level pre-health students; rather, I would encourage them to find out as much about the profession from differing sources as they could, to see if it is actually what they want.

 

[blysssful]

I seriously thought about the profession until I did research. The market in OVER-saturated, it is now commercialized (Walmart, etc.), the pay is very low ( sub 100K BEFORE taxes) with regard to the amount of debt you will accrue, it is not recognized as a true health service provider, it is dull (95% refraction no matter what others or the optometry schools say-they just want your money), no recognition from other healthcare professionals, the list goes on.......
This profession will never allow you to help others to the degree that an MD/DO will - not even close.

This is coming from a true student who was ACCEPTED to a TOP optometry school. I sent in my deposit and shortly realized what a mistake I made. The best decision of my life. If you feel you are only pursuing this profession because you have average grades and don't know what to do with your bio degree, please pursue something different. A large majority of optometry applicants would rather go to med school. Consider DO at the least. This profession will never fulfill the dreams you have for yourself.

One last thing, this forum SAVED me from making a big mistake and I thank the posters who helped me realize the truth and not the lies the optometry schools have crammed in your ears. If you want to go to med school (like me), DO IT. Now I realize that many optometry students and optometrists will pounce on this thread like a dog in heat, saying that they love the profession and regurgitating the lies that have been told to them - trying to defend themselves and make themselves feel ok about their decision. I will probably be called a TROLL and whatnot (this is the only thread I have ever posted on here). Whatever, if I help those who desire to truly help people pursue other methods, I will have done my job. Thanks for reading.

So what are you doing now?

 

[OD4eyes]

This is coming from a true student who was ACCEPTED to a TOP optometry school. I sent in my deposit and shortly realized what a mistake I made. The best decision of my life. If you feel you are only pursuing this profession because you have average grades and don't know what to do with your bio degree, please pursue something different. A large majority of optometry applicants would rather go to med school. Consider DO at the least. This profession will never fulfill the dreams you have for yourself.

Consider carribbean medical school if you feel that strongly on becoming an MD...

 

[JeffChou]

I seriously thought about the profession until I did research. The market in OVER-saturated, it is now commercialized (Walmart, etc.), the pay is very low ( sub 100K BEFORE taxes) with regard to the amount of debt you will accrue, it is not recognized as a true health service provider, it is dull (95% refraction no matter what others or the optometry schools say-they just want your money), no recognition from other healthcare professionals, the list goes on.......
This profession will never allow you to help others to the degree that an MD/DO will - not even close.

This is coming from a true student who was ACCEPTED to a TOP optometry school. I sent in my deposit and shortly realized what a mistake I made. The best decision of my life. If you feel you are only pursuing this profession because you have average grades and don't know what to do with your bio degree, please pursue something different. A large majority of optometry applicants would rather go to med school. Consider DO at the least. This profession will never fulfill the dreams you have for yourself.

One last thing, this forum SAVED me from making a big mistake and I thank the posters who helped me realize the truth and not the lies the optometry schools have crammed in your ears. If you want to go to med school (like me), DO IT. Now I realize that many optometry students and optometrists will pounce on this thread like a dog in heat, saying that they love the profession and regurgitating the lies that have been told to them - trying to defend themselves and make themselves feel ok about their decision. I will probably be called a TROLL and whatnot (this is the only thread I have ever posted on here). Whatever, if I help those who desire to truly help people pursue other methods, I will have done my job. Thanks for reading.

The issue here seems to be that you never really wanted to be an optometrist. I'm glad you realized that you weren't cut out for optometry before you started school. It is important for applicants to really assess what they are after in life. If they want to be a medical doctor and go into a particular field then that's what they should do! The two fields are inherently different in the training, pay, roles, etc. A great source of unhappiness stems from people going into the wrong field outright. Pay also varies widely among the MD/DO specialties. Don't fall into the trap thinking your pay will skyrocket to 400k. It will likely be above 100k, but that involves 4 years of student loans and then another 4 years of deferring those loans while making 30-50k a year during residency. Some people may go on for up to 10 years without seeing a "REAL DOCTOR" paycheck.
This is a great PSA for everyone who isn't sure if they want to do optometry. You can make money in private practice, and help people see every day (how many of you don't appreciate having clear vision?). True, much of optometry out in practice is checking the eyes of relatively healthy people and some medical optometry here and there. If you're looking for Grey's Anatomy surgery or House MD detective work with rare diseases, you're barking up the wrong tree. Good luck finding it on the other side of the fence.

 

[Fundus Man]

I'm glad the initial poster in this thread elected not to go to OD school because he obviously doesn't care much for the profession. That's perfectly fine. I wouldn't want to be a dentist or podiatrist, but those are great professions for those who like them. I mention dentisty and podiatry because both of those professions have higher "just outta school" salaries. Optometry is not a gauranteed paycheck. You have to work to find your niche in the profession or community you work in.

I think that you should decide early on where you want to practice. If you want to practice in rural (communities with 15,000 or less) settings, your golden. Set up any OD practice and you'll be making a comfortable living quick. If you want to practice in L.A., realize that there are hundreds and hundreds of other OD's, and that L.A. is largely corporate. You'll need something to compete with those other eye docs, be it a specialty practice (VT, LV, sports vision, whatever) or an especially unique personality.

I can tell you that Optometry as a profession is a blast. I work every day and love it. I help people who are happy to see me, get paid reasonably, and enjoy the heck out of it. The opportunities for being invovled in your profession are great too -join and participate in OD socities, attend AOA/AAO conferences, get involved in your community. Being an optometrist is well-respected and fun.

As far as not getting to help folks as much as an MD or DO: You get to help people see! The vast majority of the time non-surgical options are the way to go. Does a 5 year old with strabismus really need EOM surgery that will leave him with prism in his glasses the rest of his life when a few sessions of VT and contact lenses will solve his problem faster, cheaper, and with fewer side effects? I think that non-surgical options should always be pursued before surgical ones.

How about locating a retinal hole in an otherwise healthy 20 year old and refering that patient for treatment? Optometrists are diagnostic problem-solvers and that makes our job fun. It's easy to treat something if you already know it's there, but our job is to find it! Working in conjunction with trusted eye surgeons is great stuff, and surgeons do excellent work.

How about bedside exams in nursing homes? There are folks who haven't had eye exams in years because their vision has been neglected. A brief bedside exam gets their health up to speed and leaves them with the ability to read, watch television, and enjoy their lives. That's what optometry can do.

Optometry is a great profession and to make the most of it you need to be dedicated, hardworking, and enjoying people. Best of luck!

 

[peter22]

Fundus Man, awesome answer! Very well put. I've been a ghost on SDN for a while now and there have been a lot of debate about the field of Optometry! Fundus Man hit the nail on the head, I've talked to numerous practicing Optometrists in all ranges of specialties.
Some work at non profit clinics where a good 65+ percent of their patients are legally blind or worse living in poverty. Some work in average income areas as private practice and are just as busy and successful and happy. Some work commercial with a busy family and are happy as well. I have not met one Optometrist who was completely negative about their choice at all. Of course there are always some complaints here and there about certain things, but honestly the same complaints are seen in any profession.
Optometry is not for everyone, but for those who truly like it you will be successful and happy if you put in the work.
Talking to many recent grads, most have no trouble finding work, as long as you love what you do doors will open up.
Those who complain about optometry on this forum, honestly would you be happy of any profession you chose? Choose podiatry and you will complain about the lack of respect from the medical community and the public in general. Choose Dentistry and you'll complain about how high suicide rates are for the profession and how you can't stand smelling mouths all day. Go with Pharmacy and you'll complain how you have to work at CVS. I've also met some very depressed medical doctors and VERY weird ones for that matter so there is no perfect job in this world. Chose engineering and you'll face constant lay offs... the list goes on and on....!
I'm sick of those on these boards trying to convince/scare undergrads out of the profession and trying to tell them to go to medical school... if they wanted to they would have, and if they did go without wanting to I GUARANTEE you they will be miserable! FYI, family docs only make around 90'ish grand a year working at a hospital... debt from school it is inevitable, if you go to a four year health program it WILL BE EXPENSIVE regardless!

If you are passionate about optometry, you will be successful. I talked to a recent grad and he said the same thing. He a few friends in his graduating class who still are at home doing nothing while he has had several of job offers to work at a private practice and make good money. He now works at a non profit clinic alongside others and gets to see pathology all day long and truly help those in need.
Thus, It's easy to see if you chose this profession without passion than you'll probably hate it just like any other job.

There's my rant to all those depressed/mad people at optometry! I honestly think you will always be mad and depressed regardless of your profession with some of the attitudes seen around here ...
Name me one miserable optometrist and I'll name many more in any other medical field or profession!

 

[IndianaOD]

Consider carribbean medical school if you feel that strongly on becoming an MD...

Bingo! Significantly easier to get into than a US OD program. There are several US DO/MD programs with lower averages as well.

I graduated at the top of my Pre-Med class and had several friends go to the Caribbean. They are happy / fully licensed and board certified MDs now. I worked a little with IU admissions and I know at least one of them would not have been accepted to IU optometry.

 

[WhiteSnows]

Have you considered pharmacy as your future profession?

 

[Commando303]

I seriously thought about the profession until I did research. The market in OVER-saturated, it is now commercialized (Walmart, etc.), the pay is very low ( sub 100K BEFORE taxes) with regard to the amount of debt you will accrue, it is not recognized as a true health service provider, it is dull (95% refraction no matter what others or the optometry schools say-they just want your money), no recognition from other healthcare professionals, the list goes on.......
This profession will never allow you to help others to the degree that an MD/DO will - not even close.

This is coming from a true student who was ACCEPTED to a TOP optometry school. I sent in my deposit and shortly realized what a mistake I made. The best decision of my life. If you feel you are only pursuing this profession because you have average grades and don't know what to do with your bio degree, please pursue something different. A large majority of optometry applicants would rather go to med school. Consider DO at the least. This profession will never fulfill the dreams you have for yourself.

One last thing, this forum SAVED me from making a big mistake and I thank the posters who helped me realize the truth and not the lies the optometry schools have crammed in your ears. If you want to go to med school (like me), DO IT. Now I realize that many optometry students and optometrists will pounce on this thread like a dog in heat, saying that they love the profession and regurgitating the lies that have been told to them - trying to defend themselves and make themselves feel ok about their decision. I will probably be called a TROLL and whatnot (this is the only thread I have ever posted on here). Whatever, if I help those who desire to truly help people pursue other methods, I will have done my job. Thanks for reading.

:troll: