I have a lot of debt to pay off once I graduate (June 2025). I’m thinking of working with Luxottica, but I’m also not sure if I want to be full time…

Anyone else have regrets about not going to medical school or even pursuing something entirely different than optometry. I am only 2 years out and I am depressed because the only reason I didn’t go to medical school was because I wanted work life balance, didn’t want to lose my 20s, wanted to have more time family etc. looking back, those were not great reasons. I had the grades and excelled in school and got a good scholarship to optometry school. Im very depressed now as I am now realizing I have no work life balance and no time with family in the private practice OD MD position I have now. I am underpaid as well. Very few decent jobs that offer benefits and no weekends nearby and I cant move right now due to spouse. I have almost no job flexibility and a very high stress environment. I am significantly more passionate about medicine than optometry and I know I messed up. Doesn’t help that my pts only respect me because half the time they mistake me for an MD and most of my family and friends are in medicine and look down on me as someone that gives out glasses but that’s beside the main point. I cant fathom the amount of loans and honestly the stress too of trying to go to medical school after all of this & don’t think it makes sense for me. Has anyone struggled with these thoughts- how did you make optometry work for you? I hate being depressed about this.

So I'm currently studying for part 2, and I had a question about follow up care for patients with undiagnosed Syphilis. Assuming that we had the patient tested positive using an RPR and VLDL test, as optometrists, are we allowed to order IV PCN to treat the syphilis (depending on state), i.e. refer the patient to the ER for treatment, or do we need to refer to the patient's PCP before being allowed to order such treatments outside of our scope of practice?

Ophtho PGY-1 here, purchasing my first lens and i am torn between the 90d and the superfield. initially i was going with the superfield, but seeing most residents, fellows (and even attendings) use the 90d in their daily practice made me hesitate, we were also advised to start with the 90d as a begginer and for its sharper details (vs the superfield). Any help on which one i should get as a first lens to start with ?

A month's worth of locum optometry shifts have been cancelled at one practise without explanation or excuse. There was a small dispute between the locum and the assistant manager, after which the AM cancelled all of the locum's shifts. The dispute was recorded and the AM was rude, patronising, and clearly not acting in a professional manner but the discussion ended in both parties agreeing to move forward. However, now every shift has been cancelled by the AM.

What can be done here? The optom has a good relationship with the regional supervisors

I keep hearing good things about this and my account just told us we need to spend some money before the end of the year. Any feedback back on it and where exactly do you buy it from?

can anyone give me info on PSLF?

is it worth it? where do you work and do you like it? thinking back would you do anything different?

feedback/advice/words of wisdom?

all is appreciated, TIA

Can anyone share their experience/opinion on bringing IPL into their practice? I need a better revenue stream and this seems like the best option.

Friend is currently practicing in NYC and is moving to CA - wondering from others here what's the best way to study for the CA Law & Regulations exam (that isn't boring)?

Any females ODs here who have made the leap from full time to part time work? I'm 5 years out of school, debt paid off, thinking of starting a family soon and want to know if part time has been worth the decrease in pay. Currently working 32 hr/week, hoping to go down to 16-24/week.

Does anyone have any thoughts, opinions, or first-hand experience working at America’s Best as an OD?

Hello friends

I'm trying the guage the room on which is better at detection of neovasculization Octomap or pupil dialation?

I’m an optom student who just failed their final semester of school. I technically have 6mons off. Any advice on how to kept up my clinical skills without clinical access. Also any advice on how to keep going. I just feel totally defeated.

Besides Reddit, where else are you following or chatting about Optometric info and news? Facebook (ODs on Facebook, ODs on Finance?), SDN Forums, other? etc

Hi all, I am an ophthalmology/optometry enthusiast and I thought to start summarizing weekly updates into a condensed newsletter and podcast (link below) for anyone that's too busy to read the news. So, here’s 5 things that happened this week:

1. Long-Term Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure Linked to 50% Increased Risk of Cataracts
A new study has identified a strong association between prolonged exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a pollutant primarily from vehicle emissions, and a nearly 50% increased risk of cataract development. The research utilized large-scale environmental and health data to highlight how urban air pollution can accelerate the formation of cataracts, a leading cause of vision impairment globally.
(Review of Optometry)

2. Retinal Camera Enhanced by AI Diagnostic Platform
Avant Technologies and AiNNOVA Tech have joined forces to create an advanced retinal camera powered by an AI diagnostic platform. This technology aims to improve the detection of retinal conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration by using machine learning to analyze imaging data with unparalleled accuracy. The device also promises to enhance accessibility with user-friendly features designed for both specialists and general practitioners.
(Ophthalmology Times)

3. Allovir and Kalaris Merge to Focus on Retinal Disease Solutions
Allovir and Kalaris Therapeutics have announced a merger to create a unified platform for addressing retinal diseases. Combining Allovir’s expertise in therapeutic development with Kalaris’ drug delivery innovations, the new entity will focus on advancing treatments for conditions like age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. The merger aims to streamline research and development efforts while accelerating clinical trials.
(Ophthalmology Times)

4. Advanced Imaging Techniques Enable Early Diabetic Retinopathy Detection
Researchers are leveraging multimodal imaging techniques to detect early-stage diabetic retinopathy with greater precision. By integrating optical coherence tomography, fundus photography, and angiography, these tools allow clinicians to identify microscopic vascular abnormalities and neuronal damage at early, treatable stages of the disease. This approach represents a significant advancement in proactive ocular health management.
(Ophthalmology Times)

5. Opioid-Free Sedation for Cataract Surgery Shows Promise
A Phase 3 clinical trial has demonstrated the effectiveness of a novel oral sedation tablet for cataract surgery, eliminating the need for intravenous or opioid-based sedation. Patients experienced effective anxiety and pain relief, quicker recovery times, and fewer side effects, simplifying the surgical process and improving overall satisfaction.
(Healio)

And you can click here to listen to a podcast version on this link: https://pub-2879e5d9aee94482a5dd083ffc54663b.r2.dev/Advances%20in%20Ophthalmic%20Care.wav

Any kind of feedback on the format is welcome! 🤗

I know many people take out this much in loans, but I just want to make sure I’ll be okay.

Hello, I’ve scrolled through this page and a lot of people say this career is not worth is because of the debt, my question is- is the debt from just the optometry school it’s self, or is it from undergrad as well? Because of some programs in Florida my undergrads schooling will be 100% paid for, would this make my debt less? Or is the debt that everyone talks about, just from optometry school by itself. Sorry if this is a stupid question, I’m just trying to prepare myself

We have had a few pts call in asking our doc to fill out the form from the DMV (OH) and it’s asking for a degree in numbers up to degrees temporal. Our Visual Field does not test this. Any help on where we can recommend people to go? I’m just a front desk but I would like to be able to tell people where they can go

35 yo F, no significant complaints. Slight metamorphosis on Amsler OS. Review of Optomap from prior 4 yrs shows no significant change to pigmentation area.

Screening OCT and Optomap shown. Nothing on Optomat FA.

Any ideas?

I interviewed with IUSO and it went great! But they put my application on hold and said they will wait until this semesters grades are finished. What are my chances? I am a current undergrad at Indiana Bloomington just to add.

Hello all I am an associate OD in Texas currently looking to purchase and existing practice in another city. I am curious if any other have advice on what banks to get a loan from and how much you typically pay toward the loan per month to get an idea of my total finances . Thanks

Asking because I live in Maryland ( a non licensed state) and would like to move to Virginia which is a licensed state. I see on the web site they have something called a “verification letter” the Board will send to a licensed for a $25 fee, however I do not know if this is all I would need to should I decide to move.

Hello, just curious on another perspective for my salary. OD/MD private practice with 2 years out of school, last few months avg 17-22 patients per day. Production for the YTD is around $500K. Salary is $110K (will increase to $120K next year) and there is a bonus incentive- once I bring in 3x my salary (330K for the year/ 82,500 quarterly) I get 10% of what’s over my threshold. Production is calculated by 100% of my medical/professional fees and 50% of my optical production, 0% contact lens revenue. 4 weeks PTO and individual health ins, profit sharing and no 401K. 8-5 M-F. Have been paying off student loans aggressively but still $250K left, seems like I’ll never be able to afford a house. Just looking for an outside opinion on my situation

does vt for accomodative fatigue differ from other accomodative dysfunctions vt? thanks!