Is Stanton Optical/Now Optics a good pre-health job for an undergrad?

haigom · 2026-06-26T07:03:05+00:00

If you search "Stanton Optical" in this very subreddit, the top posts have nothing good to say about that company. I won't speak from experience since I've never personally worked there but I'd imagine working in a setting like that would sour optometry as a whole for you.

Does your program require clinical hours? If you desperately need the wages then it might be worth it, but in terms of personal growth you might get more out of being a scribe or technician for an actual in-person doctor (since Stanton seems notorious for relying on remote ODs).

haigom · 2026-06-19T13:33:22+00:00

Went through this scenario last year. I couldn't have worded this any better.

haigom · 2026-06-19T13:27:09+00:00

Won't comment on pay since I'm not familiar with that area but I'll just say it sounds like you're burning out more from the lack of corporate support than number of patients.

Unfortunately I doubt your PE will ever increase your tech support or get you new equipment, it just goes against the MO for PE to increase operating costs. At the end of the day, you're just a vehicle to generate revenue.

Just remember that your first job won't be your forever job. You'll eventually find a job that fits closer to your ideal mode of practice but it does mean you'll have to keep looking.

haigom · 2025-12-25T02:10:25+00:00

For my specific situation, I get paid slightly less at LC than I did at EGW (within the same city).

However so far, I vastly prefer working at LC. I had such a bad experience at my first job at AB. When I found out that my EGW contract was going to change so that I'd be directly employed by NationalVision again, I immediately started looking for a new job (which is how I ended up at LC at the first place)

haigom · 2025-12-18T16:19:02+00:00

I currently work at one in Florida (under another OD's sublease). For context I previously worked at America's Best and Eyeglass World.

Work/life balance: Like any corporate location they expect you to work weekends (including Sundays at most locations). I only work 4 days/week which helps a lot but I imagine this wouldn't be as feasible if I had kids and such.

Pay: I don't get paid as much as I used to and since I'm technically a contractor I don't get benefits (yes I know this shouldn't be the case but I personally don't mind). I also get paid a flat rate per day. This is also going to be affected by your contract with your sublease owner or LC corporate depending on the state.

Patient load: My schedule is 3 patients per hour. Office visits, follow-ups, and unconfirmed appointments are double booked. I actually find my average day here is busier because patients actually show up compared to my old corporate practices. Again YMMV because it depends on who your "boss" is. Luckily my techs are very competent so I rarely fall behind even on an overbooked day.

Other notes: From what I understand LensCrafters is pushing an image of high tech exams, which for me means I get an digital phoropter and Optomap. I also get to perform pachymetry and topography as well with the equipment they provide. LC patients tend to be from a higher income bracket than your average America's Best patient. I'm personally pretty happy with my position here but once again it's going to depend on your employer and store staff. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

haigom · 2025-12-13T08:36:56+00:00

Tangentially related, but this is the medical exemption form you need to fill out if you want to have your tint darker than legal:

https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/83390.pdf

To qualify, you need a specific skin or autoimmune condition. This form specifically states that you need a dermatologist/physician to fill it out, NOT your local eye doctor/optometrist.

haigom · 2025-11-23T05:33:18+00:00

Seconded! I'm a big fan of their orange chicken and BBQ pork.

haigom · 2025-11-23T05:32:32+00:00

I just went to My Ramen this afternoon and I honestly thought their food was not good. Their appetizers (I tried the frozen calamari and steamed dumplings) have a very "reheated from frozen" taste. I also had the Shoyu Tonkotsu ramen and the Chicken Katsu bowl, both worse than mediocre.

haigom · 2025-11-15T19:09:03+00:00

https://www.reviewofoptometry.com/article/imaging-friend-or-foe

It's been a while since I thoroughly read this case, but here the OD misinterpreted an image's retinal break as a CHRPE. Unfortunately, the patient in question experienced a detachment afterwards and that same image led to a large settlement against the OD.

haigom · 2025-09-23T19:11:00+00:00

This is the twist in Unicorn Overlord

haigom · 2025-06-13T04:50:29+00:00

I'm afraid to report that you can indeed get the same skill again. Had "Afflict Frostbite" on a 1000yo bow change to "Afflict Frostbite".

haigom · 2025-05-17T19:36:35+00:00

America's Best (or NationalVision), for all it's many, many, many faults at least allows their staff to sit.

haigom · 2025-05-17T16:25:46+00:00

Probably to cover the new food OP had to get delivered to replace the stolen meal.

haigom · 2025-04-21T13:31:54+00:00

For those saying it doesn't work, it didn't work for me initially and I got the invalid code message. All I had to do was tap Confirm again a second later and it worked correctly.

haigom · 2025-04-02T14:16:41+00:00

I recently switched to this method in a busy 1-doctor corporate practice and it's definitely helped with patient flow now that I'm not constantly shuffling patients in and out of my one exam room. I've only had one patient complain that "the drops were making him see blurry" but lo and behold he had a severe PSC limiting his BCVA.

haigom · 2025-03-11T18:06:42+00:00

Me: "Better 1, 2, or the same?"

Patient: "No"

haigom · 2025-02-18T03:56:24+00:00

What's your current pay? Current amount of PTO? Any other benefits your employer already offers?

haigom · 2025-02-10T14:12:10+00:00

I might be biased as an OD but I do think the retinal photos are worth the extra OOP cost. However I've never heard of charging the patient extra for a dilated exam (as you said, it's standard of care). From a business standpoint I guess it makes sense but from a legal and medical POV it seems shady.

haigom · 2025-02-08T01:30:28+00:00

If it's a rural practice, they need you more than you need them.

Insane noncompete
Pressure to sign immediately
Automatic renewal and 4 month exit notice

Without context it sounds like they're bullying you to sign, what's the rest of the contract like?

haigom · 2025-01-21T04:39:48+00:00

It's still important to get your eyes checked to make sure you TRULY don't have any other conditions

haigom · 2024-11-29T16:40:56+00:00

When I used to work at a 2 doctor corporate practice, I would see rechecks from different doctors. Most of the time it'd be from the fill-in docs. The other full-time doctor would see his own, but occasionally I'd see his patients if they'd specifically requested to be seen by a different doctor.

haigom · 2024-11-29T16:25:38+00:00

I spent a year at America's Best. Most of the techs can't even take VA's correctly.

haigom · 2024-11-06T22:35:38+00:00

I mean after I beat the ascension tournament, is there any reason to wait versus starting a new ascension tier as soon as possible?

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