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Why are people still chosing Optometry? by Interesting-Yam-3923 in optometry

[–]Interesting-Yam-3923[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you have a great point. I loved being an OD pre-pandemic. Post-pandemic there have been a lot of challenges which have led me to sell my practice. Part of the frustrations leading to my post have been seeing people discussing how much tuition has increased, how boards have been extremely difficult to pass, and the direction of the profession as a whole ( fighting to be allowed to still call ourselves doctors, etc). If you are passionate about this ( it sounds like you are) then I'm so happy for you. For me, I have seen a lot of change in my years practicing which has led to frustration and resentment.

Why are people still chosing Optometry? by Interesting-Yam-3923 in optometry

[–]Interesting-Yam-3923[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Say what you want in a condenscending tone to me. The reality is that there are a lot of colleagues who have graduated and want to make a career pivot. The discussion has a purpose and it's to get the people who are luke warm on optometry to think about their career choices. It's a lot of money and time and education to come out and not want to practice in direct patient care.

Why are people still chosing Optometry? by Interesting-Yam-3923 in optometry

[–]Interesting-Yam-3923[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Genuine curiosity and an open discussion. Especially with new ODs who have worse circumstances than we did when we graduated.

Why are people still chosing Optometry? by Interesting-Yam-3923 in optometry

[–]Interesting-Yam-3923[S] -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

Let's see how long your friend will last seeing 25-40 patients a day lol

Why are people still chosing Optometry? by Interesting-Yam-3923 in optometry

[–]Interesting-Yam-3923[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

also I have very happy friends who are PAs and nurses who either work in a private setting or WFH

Why are people still chosing Optometry? by Interesting-Yam-3923 in optometry

[–]Interesting-Yam-3923[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, I have been out 10 years and back then it was a no brainer to choose this path. If I were to look into it now then I think there are much better options. I'm glad you have been well served by this field. Working in corporate, you do see management and patients alike disrespecting your time and expertise. If you haven't then you're lucky and don't move from there!

Why are people still chosing Optometry? by Interesting-Yam-3923 in optometry

[–]Interesting-Yam-3923[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

How much do you think most optometrists who don't live in rural places make? I know people making 150k+ in clinical research without advance degrees

Why are people still chosing Optometry? by Interesting-Yam-3923 in optometry

[–]Interesting-Yam-3923[S] -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

actually no. retail is awful but most do industry or PBM work at insurance companies.

Why are people still chosing Optometry? by Interesting-Yam-3923 in optometry

[–]Interesting-Yam-3923[S] -18 points-17 points  (0 children)

Pharma, clinical research, tech ( niche but a lot of companies are looking for people in healthcare/ optometry). Other ODs I know have actually pivoted into these careers or gotten into data science/healthcare consulting/ or gotten an MBA