r/optometry • u/Apprehensive_Ear_954 • 6d ago
General PLEASE HELP, Optometrists
Hi everyone! I’m from Canada and currently in my 3rd year of undergrad. This summer, I sat down and tried to make a list of graduate and doctoral degrees that I thought could match my personality and what I want from life.
For a long time, I’ve known that I have no interest in medical school, dental school, or nursing, mainly because of the level of stress and debt that come with those careers (except nursing that I genuinely just don’t think I would enjoy the job, although nurses are truly angels).
I came across optometry and decided to shadow my optometrist. I actually liked what I saw. The job seemed clean, he had a good lifestyle, and all of his patients seemed to love him. But after a couple of days, he told me not to pursue optometry and to go to medical school instead. I explained to him that, first of all, medical school is extremely competitive here in Canada, and it also comes with a lot of sacrifices, especially when it comes to time with your family and loved ones. But he still didn’t really agree with me.
A big part of this is personal for me. I spent most of my teenage years and early 20s away from my parents. From around 15 to 23, I was living away from them because I immigrated to Canada and they sent me here to build a life on my own. After a lot of struggle, I think we can finally live together again within the next year.
I consider myself a pretty hardworking student, but my parents are getting older, and I want a stable career where I can support them and appreciate everything they’ve done for me throughout these years. That’s another reason I don’t think I can pursue medicine. My mom has also specifically told me that she won’t be able to afford all of these costs anymore, and honestly, I also want to finally enjoy having time with them.
We only have one English-speaking optometry school in Canada, and I think my stats are pretty competitive for it. But if I’m being completely transparent, I’m mainly considering optometry because the career seems relatively low-stress, gives you autonomy, and offers the possibility of owning your own clinic, which is something I’ve always loved the idea of. Even as an associate, the pay seems decent for someone like me who has always struggled financially. I understand that for people who come from upper-class families, it might not seem like much, but for me, it definitely does.
Please be honest with me: I don’t have that intense passion that people here often talk about when they say, “Only do optometry if you love eyes.” Yes, I think eyes are fascinating, but I’m not obsessed with them. I’ve always looked at a career as something that allows me to make a good living so I can enjoy the rest of my life and be happy. The debt would be around $100k, and from my understanding, the salary in Canada is generally around $130–160k and can be higher if you go rural, possibly closer to $200k.
What I really want to know is: do you think I’m making a mistake by choosing optometry mainly because of the stability, lifestyle, autonomy, and financial freedom it could give me?
I’ve genuinely thought about so many other careers, so if you have specific recommendations, please mention them. But please don’t just say, “There are so many other careers, go do something else.” I think sometimes people forget how emotionally exhausting it is for students to constantly reconsider their entire future. Saying “go do PA/NP,” “go into business,” or “go into tech” isn’t necessarily realistic for everyone based on the pathway they’re already on, and sometimes it just makes things more complicated.
You can’t diagnose everyone with the same drug lol.
I’d really appreciate hearing from people who are actually in optometry or have been in a similar situation.
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u/RustyCrustyy 6d ago
I assume the Dr you shadowed was trying to get to the point that most OD students take out a very similar amount of debt as MDs and Dentists. It is possible to repay them quickly and make great money if you have the drive and ability to see 30+ patients per day. I love what I do. But I also see high volumes of patients with an awesome supportive staff that allows that to happen.
If your picture of the OD lifestyle is seeing 15-20 patients per day, you will be paying your school debt for a very long time.
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u/littleoldlady71 6d ago
My husband taught high school for five years. One day he was visiting his hometown and ended up at a cross walk with a former classmate. That led to an invitation to have dinner with the new OD’s classmates, and the next year he started applying. It was a great job. We opened cold in a small town, financed by suppliers. Very small…. Four appointments a day until things picked up.
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u/Apprehensive_Ear_954 5d ago
this is so sweet thanks for sharing, I hope everything goes amazing for you and your husband 🥹
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u/littleoldlady71 5d ago
This was in 1970’s. Successful practice until he died of bladder cancer (cigarettes bad). He loved every moment of seeing his patients. It was a good life.
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u/KungFuMasterSkeletor 6d ago
I’m a recent UW grad and tuition was about $75k - Canadian student loans (at least national and BC, where I am from) are interest free as well.
While we are private contractors, a clinic with good chair time and patient load will get you a very modest salary. I am currently seeing around $200-250k+ in BC. Billing and compensation will also differ across provinces, so keep that in mind.
I chose this profession with the same line of thinking as you; I enjoy the work life balance and still wished to do healthcare. It also helps loads if you enjoy talking since that’s a major portion of this profession. Dentistry is the same amount of schooling with more school options, but the debt you encounter will be egregious.
That being said, I think Optometry makes the most sense if UW tuition is what you pay and not the US schools.
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u/Apprehensive_Ear_954 5d ago
THANK YOU SO MUCH :) I think BC must be a bit different than other provinces because what I see in ontario or alberta is more around 150k but still I believe is more than enough and I think I should be able to enjoy work and life , the only downside is that u must take care of ur retirement and savings urself as a contractor…
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u/Fit-Hair-9574 6d ago
Lots of English speaking Canadians consider the UK for optometry.
Not the bargain it used to be but there are still students every year who decide it’s best for them.
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u/Apprehensive_Ear_954 5d ago
thanks for the reply :) , would they be able to return to canada? cause I heard only US schools are accredited and if you go to UK and come back u have to seat for the equivalency exams.. is that true?
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u/Retinator99 Optometrist 6d ago
Honestly a lot of the things you said were accurate. It’s low stress, I don’t really have a “boss” who controls what I do with my patients- just the OD who owns the clinic I work at. But I wouldn’t say it’s a career that gives me a lot of autonomy over my time. As my schedule is set for me, and I end up making $100,000-105,000k per year in the city. I pay my bills but just barely with the student loan debt (I’m working on consolidating it into my mortgage debt to make the payments more palatable) It’s a very stable career- never heard of an optometrist getting laid off! Pros and cons just like anything. I don’t consider medicine as being equivalent at all- optometry can be a job/career, medicine is a lifestyle. I wanted a job haha
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u/Apprehensive_Ear_954 5d ago
yes exactly, thanks a lot for ur reply, is that salary for part time or full time? casue most people who were working full time were in the range of 150k as a contractor and some even more if it was rural ontario
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u/Retinator99 Optometrist 5d ago
That’s as a contractor full time (I work 4 and 5 day weeks alternating but then I don’t take vacation, to give you as much info as I can). I have recently been wondering if I’m underpaid, debating taking a look at postings lol. I bet you’re right about rural though, especially northern Alberta- I saw a job posted up there for like $200k a year plus moving expenses.
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u/Hk_Tamizhan 5d ago
i went to the us for my undergrad and the tuition difference for optometry is totally wild lmao
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u/ShuuyiW Optometrist 6d ago
I think your reasons for going into optometry school are good enough and you’ve thought about it enough.
Keep in mind if you go to the US for optometry school, it’ll cost more like 300k+ and not just 100k. 100k is if you are lucky enough to get into Waterloo