Networking can lead to some pretty remarkable opportunities. During an externship, Taeana Fisher, OD, learned that Kelly Riley, OD, at Eyes on the Square in Brownfield, Texas, was looking for an associate. Dr. Fisher was completing an externship at the practice owned by Dr. Riley’s husband, Nolan Riley, OD. While Eyes on the Square was a Vision Source member, Dr. Riley was not a part of the Vision Source Associate OD Placement Program. The two realized the program held advantages for each.
This program helps participating Vision Source practice owners now offer up to $150,000 in student debt relief. The practice uses membership fee credits, which allows the practice owner to redirect that money to the student’s loan repayment.
The financial help wasn’t the only thing that drew Dr. Fisher to the practice. “I was open to rural practice and to a metro area, but the more I spoke with other doctors, the idea of rural practice began to grow on me. Rural providers can do so much for the people in their communities,” she says. Plus, the practice was located not too far from her family.
LOAN HELP A FACTOR
Still, the loan repayment tipped the scales. “That was a huge relief,” says Dr. Fisher. She graduated with about $230,000 in debt, the vast majority of that from her optometry school. Trying to figure out a debt repayment starting point is complicated. “New graduates have so much coming at them. And by the time a student gets a license and finds a job, the grace period for paying back loans ends. These are substantial payments, and I wanted to be aggressive, but wasn’t sure how I could do that.”
With the practice paying about $30,000 per year toward her loan, as long as she stays there and up to the maximum, she says she is actually exceeding her minimum loan repayments but still able to use her salary for her personal expenses and to start her professional life.
OTHER EMPLOYER PROGRAMS
Similar programs exist in corporate-affiliated practices as well. The organization Clasp helps connect optometry students with opportunities to earn an additional $135,000 in loan repayments by applying to work with organizations like EssilorLuxottica, MyEyeDr. or Warby Parker.
Women In Optometry listened to a live webinar Clasp presented to New England College of Optometry (NECO) students. Clasp Founder and CEO Tess Michaels stresses that any optometry student, from coast to coast, can apply through clasp.com/optometry up to two years before graduation. Clasp matches candidates with employers who pledge upfront loan repayments—on top of regular salary—once a service agreement is signed. Employees can leave their employment situation and not have to repay any money already deposited for them previoulsy. NECO also facilitates matching with independent practices in addition to the corporate opportunities coordinated through Clasp.
As part of their application, students rank up to three preferred employers. CLASP coordinates interviews, and if both student and employer agree, the loan-repayment benefit—up to $135,000 over three years—kicks in as soon as the graduate starts their first job. The students heard from two recent graduates who noted how those matches have helped them knock down their debt balances as they work in positions they enjoy.
NECO President Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, says these developments can be a game changer and create real opportunities for students and the profession. “Programs like this open doors. By reducing the financial barrier, employers are investing in clinicians’ futures and letting young optometrists ultimately choose roles based on professional fit and patient impact, not just debt repayment.”
Learn more about the Vision Source Associate OD Placement Program.
Learn more about the optometry program at Clasp.
Learn about other student debt help and repayment programs.
View the full 2026 graduation package here.
