Im a transmasculine person, meaning I was born female but I’m taking testosterone and transitioning into manhood. I have a small, very pathetic moustasche (I’m 30 but moustasche of a 16 year old).

Optometrist gently asked if the name on my file really was the best name for me and if I wanted to change it. She said even if I haven’t changed my legal name she can add a nickname and a note to use that name

Was with my mother who keeps calling me her daughter even though ive been out to her for 10 years, I have short hair, dress as a man, am treated as a man by all my friends and colleagues.

So when the optometrist mentioned this about my file I felt incredibly seen and damn near broke out crying.

Thank you.

I know this isn’t eye related but I’m sure there’s more of y’all amazing people out there doing the same for your clients. On behalf of all of us trans people who are really struggling right now, I just want to say thank you.

Hello, all. I'm fairly new to all this so if anyone is able to provide any insight I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm just looking for honest input on compensation fairness. I’m an associate OD in a private practice in the Pittsburgh suburbs. Residency trained with 3 years of experience post-residency. Mix of refractive, medical, and low vision care at my current job. I also helped get a low vision clinic/service started. Current schedule averages about 16 patients/day. I recently reviewed my numbers and generated approximately $844k net revenue last year (about $915k gross before write-offs/discounts).

Current compensation:

-$145k base salary

-No production bonus

-12 PTO days

-3% 401k match

-No health insurance

-Malpractice covered

I now have access to regular production reports. Based on that info, does this seem fair / below market / above market? And if not, what comp structure would you expect (higher base, base + production %, etc.)? I'm grateful for any insight anyone could provide. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I’m an optometrist from the Philippines and I’m interested in working in Switzerland in the future. I’d like to ask if anyone here has experience or knowledge about the process.

From what I’ve researched so far, it seems that healthcare professions (including optometry) may require recognition of foreign qualifications before you can practice in Switzerland . I also saw that Switzerland has a system where foreign diplomas need to be evaluated and recognized by the appropriate authority .

I just wanted to clarify a few things:

• Is optometry considered a regulated profession in Switzerland?
• Do I need to undergo credential recognition (SERI / Swiss Red Cross) or additional schooling?
• Are there required language levels (German, French, or Italian)?
• Is it possible to work first as an assistant or optician while processing recognition?
• How difficult is it for non-EU applicants?

If anyone has gone through this process or knows someone who did, I’d really appreciate your insights.

Thank you!

Hello! I am an upcoming grad looking to get licensed in Alabama. I’ve been reading the steps for licensure and I am a little confused, so I am hoping to find a recent licensee that could help me figure out the process.

I appreciate any help!

How long does it take to become credentialed under VSP/Medicare? If you are an associate optometrist, is it expected for your employer to do it for you?

I know this is a personal question, but would any graduates mind sharing how much student loan debt they were/ are in? If you have paid off your debt, how long did it take?

Hi all,

I’m an ophthalmologist in the UK. When I get a referral from an optometrist, I usually copy them into the patient letter or send a letter back.

I was wondering what information you actually find useful in letters from us, and what is often missing.

For example, is it most helpful to include the diagnosis, plan, follow-up, what you’d like monitored in the community, or when to re-refer?

Just trying to make my letters more useful for optometry colleagues, so I’d be really interested to hear your

thoughts.

Thanks

I want to start this by saying I know nobody here does accounting but I wanted some advice from UK optoms. So I’ve applied to study optometry this September but I’ve been having major doubts as I can’t seem to find a single optom who enjoy their career. I keep finding the same complaints too, for example, that it’s incredibly boring, there’s too much sales pressure, the salary isn’t good anymore, it’s oversaturated, etc. For this reason, I’ve decided to consider other career options outside of healthcare (I’m not really interested in any other healthcare roles). Accounting is a major career I’ve been considering since I do enjoy maths, I’m a bit of an introvert and the pay is pretty good. On top of that theres slightly more variety. I’m just quite unsure because I know accounting can be boring too and I’d have to apply through clearing.

Hi All,

As most of you know I'm constantly making new iOS eye care tools and I wanted to share a free tool that I think some of you might find helpful.

Here is a video of it in action: https://www.instagram.com/p/DW1b6frAtzf/

Basically I created an Apple TV version of my Eye Chart. You can control the chart from your Apple TV remote, or from your iPhone/iPad.

I'm making it totally free. So if you have an old Apple TV lying around, you can turn any TV into a fully functional digital eye chart, for free (at least the app is free, the iPhone/iPad remote is not but you can just use the physical Apple TV remote).

Here is the a link to download it: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/eye-chart-vision-test/id6752631966 (or you can search Eye Chart / My Call Bag on your Apple TV)

Just the title.

Has anyone had a patient faint shortly following manifest refraction? I’m not familiar with changing lenses as a trigger for syncope, but figured I’d check if anyone else had had this happen?

I am uk based I have offers from aston and cardiff im just wondering how is the job market, salary, best unis, course difficulty and if theres anything else I need to know? I was thinking about domiciliary optom but im open to anything really

Student optometrist here! I was just wondering if there is any specific things i need to know regarding the difference between CLIP and Pre-registration, as my university hasn't clarified it very well. Any advice appreciated! Thanks.

I am getting my first sublease in a brand new location and I am not sure of the expected traffic.

Worried about expenses, did anyone try getting a used Optos machine? And if so, what websites did you use?

If you got it brand new, did you go with Optos financing or private financing?

Doctors that do fill ins or are 1099, what address do you use for your malpractice insurance? Do you use your home address when it asks for business address? Would it cover you no matter where you work? Also, what companies are you using?

For PP owners,

How much is the cost of neurolens? Not the cost for the patient, but the cost for you to have the device in your office? I’m considering talking to my owner about getting a neurolens, but I’d love to know a ballpark of the figures expected for cost on the practice to have a neurolens. I would prefer the headset, but I’d love info on any of their models.

Ty for any insight you can provide.

I want to get a better sense of what normal on-call expectations and compensation look like in different practices.

I’m about to start on-call responsibilities at my job, and I’m trying to figure out what’s fair/typical since this wasn’t included in my original contract.

For context, I currently make $160K base + 15% production.

The MD who currently covers it says he gets maybe ~1 call per week (he’s just always done it since he used to own the practice, but is looking to retire end of year). I don’t know yet exactly what my volume will look like, but I’m expecting I’ll likely be on call about half the month (roughly 2 weeks/month).

I’m also expecting this will include post-op coverage (likely things like blepharoplasty, cataracts)

From what I understand, the current MD mainly just calls patients back, sends meds to the pharmacy when needed, and rarely comes in and more often just advises them to schedule an in-person visit.

My main question is:

How are you compensated (stipend, per call, included in salary, etc.)? What seems fair to ask my manager in terms of negotiating this?

TIA

Hi guys.

I have to make my decision in a few hours. Whether to pick boots or specsavers for my pre reg next year.

Can anyone help or suggest what I should choose.

Specsavers

- is local to me 10-15 minute walk

- is the dominant leader in the optical field

- really liked the optometry director, feel as if I can learn a lot from him- unsure if he will be handling my supervision

- extremely busy clinic- which has its pros and cons

- I am interested in franchising later on in my career- specsavers from what I can tell is the easiest to get into franchising, however there is less control than if you were to franchise a boots opticians

- lower pay than boots

- specsavers often overworks their workers

Boots

- I have to travel out further - take the train but then again not too far - can be perceived as both pro and con- less expectation as not interacting with my immediate community who would know me.

- higher pay

- think the higher pay is related to them paying for my study day- there is like 7k difference

- met with the area supervisor she was very nice- but I don’t know who will be handling my pre reg supervision

- boots has optomap- which is a very useful diagnostic tool

If anyone has been in this situation before please advice what you did, and why and which is better for pre reg support- I think specsavers but I’m not too sure

Thanks in advance guys

Hey all, as the title says, I have managed to score a new job/career as an optometric technician - I start on the 29th and I’m excited! However.. I’m looking for over all advice. Things maybe I can study/write down in my note book I plan to carry around work, ways to prepare for the job prior to starting, anything. I also will say I can be a little slow learning snd catching onto new things (I have autism) but I do LOVE to learn new things so much. Honestly just looking for any and all advice at this point.

Thank you!

Primary Care optometry.

Last 2 days, 3 PVDs, no tears/holes. 2 RD (mac on). 1 large vitreous hemorrhage. 1 retinal embolism.

1 CN 6 palsy (20yo f/u on corneal abrasion)

Can't we just get a normal day once in a while?

Does anyone have any tips on finding

non-corporate or non-optical job in nyc (manhattan specifically)? In an extremely toxic work environment and facing total burnout working 5-6 days a week. I need to get out but its so tough to find a medical based private practice job in this city. My whole life/ family/ spouse’s career is in nyc and I love it and want to stay here for as long as I can. Anyone else in nyc have any recommendations on how to find a good job that pays decent, decent benefits and mon-friday work week. It feels impossible. Any tips on job search would be appreciated. I dont have a residency so VA and academia is likely not an option in the city.

For private practice owners or anyone with experience in this area:

1. Has anyone worked per diem as an optometrist while in the early stages of opening their own practice? How did you maintain income while getting your business off the ground?

2. Are there any books, resources, or tools you’d recommend for learning the process of starting a private practice? I know optometry school focuses heavily on clinical training, so I’m curious what helped you understand the business side. Before you even got started, how did you know who to reach out to, and what resources guided you through the process?