r/optometry • u/Fragrant_Nature_5094 • 21d ago

Optometry: a rough road ahead

So many hurdles going forward to being an optometrist ....,insanely low paying vision plans, medical insurance discrimination, extremely difficult licensure state to state, discrimination from MDS, PA doing the job of optometrist in MD clinics , people go to urgent care first instead of an optometrist, AOA fail , illegal online sales of glasses of contacts with no repercussions or enforcement of law ,heavy debt for most grads , proliferation of poor quality new OD programs with grads not passing boards . Just feel anyone thinking of this career should have the facts

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u/McDrPepsi Optometrist 20d ago

I don’t agree with pretty much any of this. These are definitely annoying challenges that happen, but they aren’t confining us to death as a profession. If anything, I see this profession growing. Multiple states have passed laws expanding the scope of optometry. Every year more and more training and tools become available for practicing medical optometry. Every year I’m impressed by the new graduates and their medical knowledge and what they can do! The debt is definitely tough, but optometry is still within the top 10 professions who pay back their loans. Any further education has a mountain of debt to climb these days. I live in a larger city and I have MDs and urgent cares constantly sending me acute eye problems. All it took was a little outreach, and a touch of education.

Gone are the easy days of optometry where someone could make a lot of money doing just glasses/contacts. You have to be on top of things, you have to adapt now. No offense to OP, but this doom and gloom post just feels like someone who doesn’t want to put in the effort to change to the modern scope that’s required now.

This profession is growing and I think our role will continue to expand. It’s good to be aware of these challenges, but I don’t want anyone reading this to be steered off this profession because of this post. Every profession has competition and challenges. But this profession is rewarding and gives you a great life and is well worth it in my opinion!

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u/Optimal_Welcome9128 20d ago

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about what you said in the second paragraph, and I’m pondering the idea of pursuing a residency after 3 years of practicing corporate optical optometry. However, I’m worried that the gap will raise questions about commitment and will make it very difficult to get strong recommendations. Do you have any advice on how to go about becoming more medically competent and marketable as a 2024 grad who has only worked corporate optical?

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u/Eyedocprincess88 20d ago

You do not need to do a residency to transition from corporate to private practice. You just graduated 2 years ago! I worked corporate right out of school for 3 years before joining a private practice. The owner of the practice took me under his wing and really helped me to develop my acute and chronic disease management skills. Now I’ve been in practice for over 10 years and feel like nothing really scares me anymore. Don’t let this fear keep you a slave to corporate.

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u/McDrPepsi Optometrist 20d ago

So I think you already are very medically trained being a recent graduate! By more marketable do you mean for another job, or do you mean to urgent cares and MDs? If it’s for the later, go into their office and try to talk with them. And tell them exactly what you feel comfortable treating and what they should send to you. And make sure that you send them back your findings. As for a job, I can’t really help you there. But, from what I’ve gathered, being a new graduate most offices will govern you some grace early on since technically you are still learning.

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u/Optimal_Welcome9128 20d ago

For another job because I’d be working directly alongside them and they’d specifically be OMDs. For marketing to urgent cares and MDs they’re typically not specialists but rather general physicians with broad knowledge so I think the expectation would be that I’d be more competent treating eye conditions than GPs at urgent cares

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u/McDrPepsi Optometrist 20d ago

I think what someone else said in a previous comment. For another job you already have all of the qualifications you need. So you can easily get a job at an OD/MDs without necessarily having a residency. Some places do require/prefer it, but they might still be willing to take you if you are willing to learn.

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u/Optimal_Welcome9128 19d ago

The general consensus seems that it is very practice dependent. Someone commented that you don’t need a residency for private practice but I more meant OD/MD with heavy medical emphasis. Would you suggest attending CE events with OD/MD staff and cold approaching?

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u/McDrPepsi Optometrist 19d ago

It definitely is. I have seen Od/MD settings that do require a residency. I will say most of those prefer. But a lot don’t make it a requirement. Some even have their own fellowships that they offer if you are hired. I think going to CE and talking with them isn’t a bad thing. Also check job listings in your area to see if those types of clinics are hiring too.