In a Women In Optometry Pop-up Poll conducted in 2017, 46 percent of the respondents said that if they had it to do all over again, they would not choose optometry as a career. Why? In their comments, readers mentioned reacting to the changing economy and changing demographics: reimbursement pressures, finding motivated staff, online and neighborhood competition, and the investments in technology that added to financial stress.
But it’s also important to note that about 60 percent of the ODs said that they were happier now in their careers than when they started. That might indicate that it takes people some time to find where they feel invigorated. For some, that could be buying or starting a
practice. For others, that could mean selling their practice or creating a partnership so that they don’t have to be the sole guide.
Another poll showed that about 88 percent said that optometry as a profession is meaningful, and indeed, about 77 percent said that they found their daily work meaningful.
