This article is an excerpt from the Changes & Challenges report.
Many students face a difficult decision during their final year of optometry school. Do they jump straight into the job market, or do they forgo higher earnings for one year to parlay that into potential higher earnings and greater experience through a residency?
OPENING DOORS
Mary Marte, OD, FAAO, who completed an ocular disease residency at the Indiana University School of Optometry, says her residency prepared her for her role as a staff optometrist in the VA system, where she also precepts students and residents.
“Having residency experience allowed me to have an additional year of training, treating difficult conditions with the safety net and help of experienced experts,” she explains. Dr. Marte also values the mentorship she gained during residency, noting that her preceptors continue to provide guidance in her career. “I still reach out to them with questions when needed.”
Residency opened additional opportunities for Dr. Marte, including research that led to publications and presentations. “I am so glad I chose to do a residency and will always be grateful for the confidence, knowledge, experience and opportunities residency training has given me—not to mention the lifelong friendships I made along the way.”
EXPERIENCE > TIME AND MONEY
Larissa Krenk, OD, FAAO, completed a residency in primary care at Indianapolis Eye Care Center at Indiana School of Optometry despite initial doubts. “My biggest concerns were ones that I think most students face: time and money,” she says. “After being in school for four years, did I really want to do another year when I was already in debt?”
The long-term upside swayed her. “I’m so glad I decided to do a residency,” she says. “Because of residency, I am able to follow more patient cases confidently instead of having to refer out. So don’t worry about the time or the money—a year flies by and you’re left with valuable knowledge and experience.”
It also helped her network her honed skills to her new area optometrists. “I was new to the city. Thanks to my residency, I was able to meet other ODs, which helped with referrals and job opportunities. I was actually offered a job where I completed my residency.” Dr. Krenk now works as a clinical assistant professor at Indiana University School of Optometry and an ocular disease residency supervisor at Indianapolis Eye Care Center.
Dr. Krenk credits her residency supervisors for helping her learn the nuances of treatment and management. “I learned things that I don’t feel I would have otherwise,” she says. “There is a huge difference between textbook cases and real life. Sometimes, managing these cases is more of an art than a science. I highly recommend completing a residency, especially for those that wish to practice optometry at a high level.”
WEIGHING THE FACTORS
Andreas Zacharopoulos, OD, FAAO, says that the biggest benefit to completing his residency in ocular disease at the Orlando VA Medical Center was a boost in confidence in managing complicated disease cases. The 2019 Nova Southeastern University graduate joined a private practice after graduation, but three years later, he moved to an OD/MD practice, where he has been putting his residency training to good use.
It may not be the option for all students, however. “If I was able to find a job at an OD/MD practice—where I knew I would be managing a lot of disease—straight out of optometry school, I might skip residency,” he explains. “It would take a bit longer to increase my confidence and clinical knowledge, but I would get there.”
He adds that the decision often depends on personal circumstances. For example, someone with debt and a family may want to start earning a larger salary immediately. “It might make more sense in this scenario to jump in and learn as you go,” Dr. Zacharopoulos says. “But if you’re a young graduate with no children and maybe less debt, then a residency is more affordable and is an investment into your professional career.”
Other opportunities on the horizon, such as a job offer or finding a practice to buy, might sway a student to the workforce, while the desire for a deeper dive into some aspect of practice or study could be a push for the residency.
That’s what Shaily Sheth, OD, found. The 2023 graduate of New England College of Optometry says her residency in ocular disease at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner Salisbury VA provided essential experience with challenging pathology and patient cases that were only briefly covered in optometry school.
“Residencies allow exploration in specialty or niche fields such as low vision and vision therapy,” she adds.
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Dr. Sheth emphasizes the importance of evaluating career goals when considering residency, especially for those interested in hospital-based or OD/MD practices. “These are cases where a residency could help a new grad optometrist feel more comfortable in treatment and management.”
The Changes & Challenges report is supported by Alcon.
