Eye on Optometry

Pre-Optometry Clubs are an excellent way for prospective optometry students to learn more about the optometry field and develop their interests. Pre-Optometry clubs can help undergraduate students in their application processes as well as help them gain mentors who share their same passions. Often, Pre-Optometry clubs can provide opportunities for students to make lasting impacts on their campus, in their local communities, or in communities around the globe. Senior Jackie Nguyen of University of California San Diego (UCSD) and sophomore Bibi Barase of San Diego State University (SDSU) shared with ASCO how their clubs are making a difference in their communities.

Jackie Nguyen is a senior at UCSD who plans on attending optometry school next year. She is the current president of UCSD Insight Pre-Optometry Club, a club that she describes as “a mix between informational, professional, and social for individuals interested in optometry.” Jackie’s club hosts general body meetings with themes, such as “Road to Optometry,” which focused on the steps to applying for optometry school. The club visits optometry schools in the area and they even have an alumni database for current members to reach out to alumni. Jackie describes the club as a “tool for anyone interested in optometry.” The club connects its members to local optometrists, which is how Jackie got her current job. Jackie also enjoys the “Families program,” which puts each student in a “family” with older and younger club members to establish close-knit friendships and mentorship.

When club members are not advancing themselves professionally or attending club social events, such as bowling or hiking, they are volunteering their time in the community. They volunteer at local vision screenings, and they partner with local service clubs like Lion’s Club or Rotaract. UCSD Insight Pre-Optometry Club has a Volunteer Coordinator who helps plan volunteer events. They also volunteer at Vision Walk as well as at a blind community center called Braille Institute San Diego. They have also fundraised money for Braille Institute San Diego by hosting profit-shares with California Pizza Kitchen. The club visits Tecate, Mexico a few times a year to help a clinic with vision screenings and triaging.

Jackie says her favorite thing about her club is its members. “We all came in as strangers but I have gotten so close to so many members and call some of them my best friends. I love how tight-knit we are as a club.” Jackie is happy she joined the club because the club is great at helping students make connections, and she found the club extremely helpful in guiding her in what she needed to do to get to optometry school. Jackie believes that older members have served as strong mentors and she has found her club’s ability to connect students with college admission representatives to be very helpful.

Bibi Barase is a sophomore majoring in biology and minoring in psychology at SDSU. She will be graduating early next spring and will be taking a gap year after she graduates to study for the OAT and gain experience in optometry. Bibi is the secretary of Focus, SDSU’s Pre-Optometry club, and she will be the co-president next year. Bibi’s club has bi-weekly meetings that guide students in the right direction towards optometry school by going over OAT questions, hosting optometrists as speakers, and discussing next steps and plans for students. Bibi’s club also visits Western University College of Optometry to attend their open house and explore the campus.

While Focus works hard to prepare students to be ready for optometry school, this club also aims to give back to its community. Once a year, at least one student goes to Tecate, Mexico, approximately 40 minutes from their campus. Just like UCSD Insight Pre-Optometry Club, Focus volunteers at a clinic located in Tecate for those cannot afford medical care. Students will volunteer their time at this clinic and perform activities such as giving out glasses, checking patients’ eyes, and performing vision therapy to those who need it. When asked what makes her club unique, Bibi said, “It’s definitely the fact that we are able to go Tijuana and Tecate and get hands-on experience.” Focus also hosted a blood drive last month with another student organization.

Bibi believes that Focus has influenced her pathway to optometry school. Bibi says, “Just being a part of Focus has helped me receive so much important information. It’s nice to have others encouraging you along the way, in addition to visiting schools, listening to speakers, and other things.” Bibi, just like Jackie, has really enjoyed her experiences in her Pre-Optometry Club, not only learning more about the field of optometry but also helping improve and influence eye care in her community.

Each July, ASCO swears in a new President to serve for the year. This year’s President, Dr. David Damari, sat down with ASCO’s Intern, Amanda Howarth, and Director of Communications, Kimberly O’Sullivan to talk about the next twelve months.

Dr. David A. Damari is the Dean at Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry. Prior to his appointment as Dean, he was a professor at Southern College of Optometry (SCO) and the Chair of the Department of Assessment, responsible for institutional review, measures of academic outcomes, and regional and professional accreditation. He is a Fellow and past president of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Dr. Jack L. Schaeffer, OD, FAAO, has such a remarkable passion for optometry as a career that his enthusiasm has proven to be contagious. The success of the 18-location (and still growing!) full-scope eye care practice he founded in Alabama is built upon his love for the profession, an unwavering commitment to his patients, and the core values of “science, style and service.” All along the way, Dr. Schaeffer has lectured, written articles, participated in clinical trials, and shared his insights as a member of industry advisory boards. He has inspired many others to become optometrists, and all three of his children ultimately decided to attend optometry school. Dr. Brooke Schaeffer Kaplan, a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, and Dr. Mark Schaeffer, a Southern College of Optometry graduate, are both working in this practice, and David Schaeffer is currently at Illinois College of Optometry and will join it upon completion of a residency.

An Optometric Career has Something for Everyone

The opportunity to use both his science degree and his business degree attracted Dr. Jack Schaeffer to a career in optometry. “Optometry allows me to be a doctor, which I love, but also allows me to be a business person and utilize those skills as well,” he says. Furthermore, “Optometrists are doctors who are also able to have personal lives. There’s very little on-call, and most of the work is done during the day. Yet you’re able to serve your patients and serve humanity by helping people to see their best throughout their entire lifetimes.”

Developing his practice as a meaningful entity that’s established in the community, grows with the community and gives back to the community is what has been fulfilling for Dr. Schaeffer, but, he adds, “The good thing about optometry is you can tailor your career to what you want to do. You can open your own practice or own an optometry or ophthalmology group, you can teach, or you can work in a national chain, a private OD or MD practice, a surgery center or a VA hospital. The opportunities are endless.”

Optometry’s Future is Among the Brightest

The opportunities available through a career in optometry will only increase. As Dr. Schaeffer points out, “Doctors of optometry are the primary healthcare professionals for the eye. Working in a variety of settings, they’re diagnosing and treating ocular diseases and conditions, co-managing ocular surgery patients and optimizing sight by prescribing glasses and contact lenses. With the aging of the population that’s taking place and a growing focus on wellness, the demand for medical care will continue to rise and optometry’s role will broaden. Every chronic disease process has eye manifestations, which means optometrists will be a necessary component of an integrated healthcare model. They’ll be tied into the diagnosis and monitoring of the whole spectrum of patients, from those with cataracts or diabetes to those with Sjogren’s syndrome, hypertension or multiple sclerosis.”

At the same time, optometry, like any profession, has its share of challenges and market changes that impact its institutions and individual practitioners. Not to worry, says Dr. Schaeffer. “The demand for care will be there. As long as you focus on delivering it at the highest possible level, there will always be a place for you. When you take good care of patients, word of mouth takes over. Over time this allows you to meet any challenge that’s out there in the market.”

As much as he enjoys his own career, Dr. Schaeffer is enjoying watching his children forge optometry careers of their own. “They’re doing well building their own futures and choosing their own paths inside and outside of Schaeffer Eye Center,” he says. “I know they’ll stay on top of new technologies, treatment strategies and opportunities to expand the services our practice provides, and our patients will be in good hands.” And what does it say about optometry as a career choice that three of his children wanted to follow in his footsteps? Dr. Schaeffer answers with a chuckle, “I think that says it all.”

Compared to undergraduate school, a health professions education such as a four-year Doctor of Optometry degree program involves a heavier course load, more challenging material and a more serious commitment. Students really invest themselves and work hard to eventually experience the
stability, flexibility, desirable income and personal satisfaction of an optometric career. But that doesn’t mean optometry school is all slit lamps and studying. If you’re about to begin your optometric education, you can also expect to have a fun, gratifying and refreshing social life.

Just ask Kendra Weiler, a third-year student at Pacific University College of Optometry (PUCO), who says, “There’s certainly a lot of time that you need to spend on studies and practicing procedures, but all that mental work deserves a break!” While concurrently pursuing her Doctor of Optometry degree and a master’s degree in vision science, Kendra is president of PUCO’s Student Optometric Association and a member of several on-campus clubs, including the Sports Vision Club and Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH). She spends time off campus with friends as well. “The college is in a small town, so it may seem that we’d be isolated, but we’ve never had a hard time finding things to do,” she says. “We take short trips into Portland to explore the city, go on local hikes or running trails, visit wineries or breweries, or just enjoy each other’s company at someone’s house. The great thing about optometry school is you can really personalize your experience.”

Fun and Friendship in Optometry School

Indeed, in their free time, optometry school students can take advantage of a variety of official clubs available to them and the opportunities to socialize and travel that they provide. They can also make time to do whatever it is they like to do to “recharge batteries.” Jeremy Outinen, a third-year student at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry (NSU), is president of the Student Government Association and a member of several clubs including the Private Practice Club. “I really enjoy being involved in the organizations we have at NSU. They all have events and meetings that are enjoyable.” Beyond events and meetings and trips, Jeremy says you may find him and his friends simply “vegging out watching TV or hanging out over dinner or at a bar.” The same goes for Evelyn Dearing. She’s a fourth-year student at Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry (Salus/PCO) who’s a member of the National Optometric Student Association (NOSA) and also enjoys playing on an intramural basketball team, bargain shopping, crocheting and watching movies. According to Evelyn, optometry students tend to “work hard and play hard, and the great part is you’re not alone. All of your classmates are striving scholastically while creating friendships that will last a lifetime.”

That’s one aspect of optometry school social life that many students may find is different than it was in undergrad, Kendra says. “Your classmates are also your closest friends. You end up becoming each other’s support systems and best friends. Plus, you always know what other people’s schedules are like, so finding time to do things outside of class is easier!” Jeremy agrees, saying “I feel like my social and professional lives are mixing more and more because my classmates are so tied into my life now.”

Each Year in Optometry School has a Different Dynamic

According to the optometry school students who spoke with Eye on Optometry, classmates tend to bond over the academic experiences they’re sharing, which evolve in each year of a program. The curriculum changes also have an impact on their social lives. “How much time you have varies depending on which part of the semester you’re in or the year you’re in, but you can still have adequate free time,” Jeremy says. As Kendra notes, “Social life definitely changes in each year, mainly because of your school schedule and priorities.” Each program is different, but shedescribes the typical flow at PUCO: “First year, we’re adjusting to life as graduate students, but the classes are manageable. Second year is definitely our busiest year school-wise, so we have the least amount of time to socialize. In third year, our class schedule is lighter, so we have more time for outside activities, but that includes studying for boards! It’s definitely a balance, but even at our busiest times, such as during finals, we’ve found ways to have fun.”

What Current Optometry Students Say is the Key to a Good Social Life

Balance is key, students say. As Jeremy explains, “You have a lot more on your plate compared to undergrad, so you have to make time for a social life. That said, it’s that much more important to have one. You always need that time to unwind and have some sort of outlet besides your studies. And you savor it more.” Making time to unwind is all about time management, Evelyn says. Throughout her years in optometry school, she’s been proactive about her study time, even
making sure to schedule time every weekend. She advises, “Try your best not to procrastinate, be proactive and set aside time for rejuvenation too. You may never be completely caught up in all your classes, but it’s important to keep pushing and take it one day at a time. Take time to relax, whether it’s with a pick-up game of basketball, going to church, exercising or just watching a good movie. Balance is a necessity. School has always been my top priority, so I’ve studied hard. Therefore, I felt I deserved my hours of socialization and never felt guilty about it.”

Kendra wholeheartedly believes that “Finding a balance between school and outside activities will make you a better student.” And in her experience, “The amount of time people need to have off from school varies. Some people prefer lots of time to socialize, while others need more time to dedicate to studying. As long as you find a good balance for you, it’s easy to find the right amount of time for both.”

This line from the great British song writer is so descriptive of Optometry’s newest institution. A mountain of stone was taken down inch by inch. As long as it has taken education to be reborn in
central Appalachia, so it seems the time and effort has stretched beyond our original imaginings of a school in an area comprised of both unserved and underserved vision care.

The successful completion of the first semester of the first year which was much like a mountain morning fog has now been completed. The students adapted well to the concept of block exams which comes from the joint Medical school classes for parts of the curriculum. The students take only one exam every set block of weeks. There is one exam covering all topics covered in the block, timed, computer based and given in a morning and afternoon session. This will help prepare them for the National Board format on a routine basis. The founding class of the Kentucky College of Optometry performed to a degree of excellence in this very new and demanding assessment style. All students advanced to the second semester. Ten scholars were named to the Dean’s list.

The Student Governance Officers have formed active working member groups to round out the complete experience of the developing Optometry curriculum. The first semester saw Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH), The National Optometric Student Association (NOSA), Lion’s Club and Sport’s Vision clubs organized in the first class. The level of maturity these students exhibit speaks to the careful selection of the inaugural student body from more than 400 completed applications, in KYCO’s extremely shortened 2016 recruitment cycle, for a class of 65 students.

The second semester dawned very rapidly and the students will move into a structure of magnificence, motivation, and inspiration. The building houses the Kentucky College of Optometry’s 107,000 square feet of state of the art classrooms, clinical education laboratories, basic science laboratories, and primary care surgical operatories.

The specific primary care surgical aspects of their curriculum will become more evident in the second semester. Ocular anatomy, for example, has basic science anatomy educators from the Kentucky College of Optometry and the College of Medicine. More clinically applicable portions of the course are taught by an oculoplastic surgeon and a primary care Optometric surgeon. Specific primary care surgical procedures in the hands of the Optometric community make perfect sense for the ongoing protection of the vision of the population of our nation.

The Kentucky College of Optometry encompasses an area that needs advanced eye care. According to American Community Survey data published by the United States Census Bureau, an estimated 2.26% of the US population has vision difficulty. If you compare this number to Kentucky’s 3.14% one can see the need for vision care in the state. But, when one examines the 15 counties closest to KYCO, a stark reality appears. All 15 have vision difficulty percentages in excess of 5% while six are in excess of 9%. Nearby Owsley County shows 14.18% of its residents have vision difficulty.

The successful completion of the first semester of the first year which was a fog months ago, now basks complete in the warm mountain sun.  The students and faculty have joined together to build what some said was unbuildable, to staff which some said was unstaffable, and to teach to a class many argued was unobtainable. Fortunately for Optometry, “can’t” “won’t” and “shouldn’t” are words not found in the mountain vocabulary.

Source:

https://www.census.gov/topics/health/disability/data.html

In 2016, when President Obama’s daughter Malia decided to take a “gap year” between high school and college, it was widely reported and drew a lot of attention to the concept. College graduates, too, can consider taking a gap year before moving on to graduate or professional school, including optometry school. This is something optometry school admissions officials say they’re seeing more often.

To begin optometry school in the fall directly following graduation from college, students must apply during the OptomCAS application cycle that begins in the summer after their junior year. To wait to apply to optometry school until the OptomCAS application cycle that begins in the summer after the senior year creates a gap year. And “create” the year is exactly what a student would want to do. It’s important to understand that a gap year isn’t all about several months of relaxation. It’s not about being passive, but about actively planning and executing the year, as described by the American Gap Association, “in order to deepen practical, professional and personal awareness.”

Why a Prospective Optometry Student Might Use a Gap Year

A gap year may be beneficial for students who are taking multiple optometry school prerequisite courses during their senior year of college, says Andrea Lybarger, Assistant Director of Graduate and Professional Programs Admissions at Pacific University. “Many of the prerequisite subject areas are represented on the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), so a student in that situation may not be prepared to take the test in the necessary time frame,” she says. “Another sign that a gap year might be a good idea is if an applicant is still in the process of deciding between careers. A gap year is a wonderful opportunity to gain observation hours and learn more about the profession to solidify the decision.”

Lyle Tate, Admissions Program Manager for the University of Houston College of Optometry (UHCO), says he often advises undergraduate students who are getting close to graduation and have just recently discovered an interest in optometry to take as much time as possible to gain exposure to the field by working, shadowing and/or volunteering in various optometric settings to be sure optometry is the field they’re passionate about pursuing. He also tells undergraduates who may be considering a gap year not to squander it. “Resting and getting rejuvenated for optometry school are important, for sure, but use those months to gain relevant experiences that will both excite you for starting an optometry program and show that you’ve maintained an engagement in the field during your gap months,” he says. “Also, have a plan for your gap year. Don’t let graduation creep up on you and then decide to take a year off. Plan ahead for how you’ll use those months to better prepare yourself for a rigorous graduate program.”

Consider Both Pros and Cons of a Pre-Optometry-School Gap Year

In Tate’s opinion, the biggest benefit of a gap year is gaining more experience relevant to optometry and optometry school. But there are potential downsides to consider, too. For example, he notes, “A student could potentially lose momentum for an optometry program’s rigorous curriculum or have decreased dedication to strong study skills and habits. Also, another year may have passed since taking courses in core subject matter such as biology, chemistry and physics.” Lybarger adds that it can “sometimes be difficult for an applicant to get a letter of recommendation from a professor who has taught them in college if they wait too long to ask.” In addition, it’s not uncommon for students to want to take advantage of a gap year to save money for optometry school and living expenses, but it’s also not uncommon for them to find they weren’t able to save as much as they thought they would. No matter what reason(s) a student has for considering a pre-optometry-school gap year, Lybarger advises them to “Think about what you want to accomplish during that time and whether you’ll really be able to do the things you want to do.”

A Gap Year is Potentially a Good Plan for Entering Optometry School

Speaking only for UHCO, Tate explains that “We tend to look favorably on a gap year as long as the applicant shows strong evidence that the year was utilized to its fullest potential by continued involvement in the field of optometry however possible – working, shadowing, volunteering, staying engaged in pre-optometry organizations, etc. Even if the student took the year to travel internationally, for example, as long as he or she can parlay that experience into readying himself or herself to be dedicated to optometry school, we see that as a positive aspect of the application.”

For the times when “I want to be a doctor when I grow up” turns into an actual calling to pursue a career in the health professions, optometry can be a great answer. For those who are eager to begin setting themselves up for success, preparation to become a Doctor of Optometry can begin as early as high school.

While a high school may not have resources geared specifically toward optometry, it’s becoming more common to find organizations or clubs or events at that level for students who are interested in a healthcare career in general. Says Roya Attar, OD, clinical assistant professor and director of professional relations at the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO), “Many such programs also partner with universities to offer interested students an opportunity to have exposure to different careers in health care through participation in health science workshops, field trips and healthcare conferences.”

Former high school teacher Juan Saavedra, MA, who is currently a recruiter with Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry (NSU), has worked with young people his entire career and has seen how keeping long-term goals in mind truly helps them achieve success. He says high school students who want to work in a health profession can begin by taking advanced placement/honors courses in the sciences and math and speaking with a guidance counselor about how to research healthcare careers and about colleges with strong undergraduate science programs and healthcare career tracks such as pre-optometry. They can also volunteer at local hospitals or clinics to learn what’s involved in providing care to the community and help determine whether a career in health care is right for them. In addition, it’s a good idea to speak with and shadow optometrists sooner rather than later. Saavedra adds, “Plan to take 15-18 credit hours per semester in college in order to prepare for the course load in optometry school. The more you challenge yourself academically, the smoother the transition will be to optometry school.”

Cliff Caudill, OD, clinical associate professor and assistant dean at KYCO, offers similar advice. “Prep in high school is all about preparing for the undergraduate years, and shadowing,” he says. “Take advanced science courses to prepare for undergraduate sciences, and establish relationships with local optometrists who will potentially provide reference letters for optometry school admission. Inquire with the state optometry association about participating in projects, meetings, political events, etc., in order to network into the state optometric community.” Yes, thinking about contacts that can help a high school student along his or her career path is important, agrees Dr. Attar. “Making and fostering connections early on could definitely make all the difference in helping students to get accepted into the optometry program of their choice and possibly also in securing a job following graduation,” she says.

Advice from Current Optometry School Students

When Eye on Optometry asked KYCO Admissions Coordinator Casey Price for his insights on what high school students could do to prepare to attend optometry school, he surveyed the college’s inaugural class (fall 2016). He asked them what would be the one thing they’d tell themselves in high school, if they could, to better prepare for optometry school. Three key themes emerged. First, learn good study skills and time management habits. One student says “Start figuring out the best way you study,” while another one notes “Learn how to study to retain information, not just to pass a test!” Working on these skills “will greatly benefit you in undergrad, increase your chances of acceptance into optometry school, and help eliminate unnecessary stress,” offers another. Second, start shadowing optometrists very early “to get a feel of how each one adapts certain techniques and to be able to see more eye disorders and be more familiar with optometry equipment before coming into the professional degree program.” And third, study diligently in physics and chemistry. As one student offers, “Take chemistry and physics more seriously and take extra classes to get better prepared.”

Consult Your Inner (Potential) Optometrist

As high school students go about deciding whether a health professions career is right for them, it helps if they ask themselves some questions, says Saavedra, including whether they like math and physics and the life/medical sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology, anatomy, chemistry). They should also ponder whether they like to work with people and like to help people (of all different ages and ethnic groups) and whether they want to be part of the patients’ healthcare team. When it comes to optometry in particular, he adds, relevant questions include whether it’s important to them to be able to make a positive difference in people’s daily lives, work with advanced technological equipment, and have a favorable work/life balance, all of which are associated with optometry.

It also makes sense to consider whether opening an optometric practice and being “one’s own boss” might be a future goal. If it is, “Think seriously about combining an undergraduate science degree with a business degree,” Price advises. And beyond asking themselves these types of questions, he says, high school students should definitely shadow professionals, but not just optometrists. “Shadow ophthalmologists, pharmacists, family practice physicians, dentists and other professionals in the medical field,” he explains. “You may also want to shadow with industry professionals in optics, manufacturing or technology. Each has a little different work environment and a little different work/life balance. Ask them questions about their daily routine. Ask if they would go back to school and do it all over again. Ask what career path they would choose if they were in your shoes. We think optometry has one of the best career pathways and affords professionals one of the best balances in career and family, but make sure you know it’s the best career for you by comparing it to others.”

A marketing professional who has been collaborating with the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) for the past several years recently shared the following story with ASCO staff. She would like everyone to know how invaluable the accessibility, compassion and expertise of an optometrist were to her recently when she experienced a retinal detachment.

Why Everyone Should Have an Optometrist

Having served as a consultant for ASCO, I’ve been very aware of the importance of optometrists in the healthcare system. I know how they serve as primary eyecare providers, not only fitting patients with glasses and contact lenses so they can thrive in their daily lives but also diagnosing and treating eye diseases and detecting systemic health conditions that manifest in the eyes. I also know how satisfied optometrists tend to be with their careers. They can choose to practice in just about any healthcare setting, including academia and government, they have manageable family-friendly hours, earn a good income, and they’re passionate about the care they provide. However, what I didn’t know was just how important all of this would be to me personally.

It all started one evening this fall when I noticed what seemed like a gray thumbprint obstructing part of the vision in my right eye. I thought maybe it was the beginning of a migraine because I’d had a stressful day. But in the back of my mind I was remembering being told by an eye doctor following both cataract surgery and an unrelated repair of a retinal tear that I should immediately call a doctor if I ever saw a “black curtain coming over my eye.” This, he said, was a sign of a retinal detachment, which could progress quickly and lead to vision loss if not treated promptly. Even though what I was currently seeing wasn’t a black curtain, I became increasingly nervous that something serious might be wrong with my eye.

First thing the next morning I called my optometrist’s office and explained my situation. The doctor of optometry I’d been seeing for years for my glasses prescription and who was familiar with my previous eye issues wasn’t available to see me until the next day, so I made an appointment. A few minutes later my phone rang. It was the person I had just spoken to, saying she explained my symptom to the optometrist in the office who said I shouldn’t wait until tomorrow, I should come in immediately. An hour later I arrived at the office to find that the optometrist who was there to see me looked very young. For a second, I wondered whether it would’ve been better to wait the day to see my more experienced doctor, but before I knew it, I was in the exam chair. The optometrist performed a thorough examination and concluded I had a retinal detachment, which an ophthalmic surgeon, a retina specialist specifically, would need to see and most likely treat as soon as possible. She contacted two retina specialists for me, and one was able to see me that afternoon.

The retina specialist confirmed the optometrist’s diagnosis — retinal detachment — and said I should have surgery within 24 hours to ensure I didn’t lose vision, which he explained is a definite risk with a detachment. Later that day, he learned that an operating room slot wouldn’t be available sooner than three days, so he made arrangements for me to have surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. Finding out that I’d have to travel from home in New Hampshire to Boston the next morning was an unexpected twist in what was already a tense scenario for me, but I was thankful the doctor was able to set it up, especially because Mass Eye and Ear is a nationally known and respected healthcare facility, and the obstruction in my vision was getting worse.

Eye Surgery Day

I made it to Boston, and in a 90-minute procedure during which I was under general anesthesia, the surgeon re-attached the retina with a laser and injected an air bubble into the eye to help keep the delicate retina in place while it healed. My ride and I stayed in a hotel overnight so I could be at my first follow-up appointment the next morning. After the appointment, I was cleared to go home, and the surgery was a success, but not fully until I complied with the recovery instructions, which included not being able to read or travel and to put myself in a head-down position for at least 50% of each day for several weeks so that the air bubble could do its work. After several more follow-up appointments, and when the air bubble was absorbed by my body as expected, my life returned to normal.

Thank You, Doctor of Optometry!

As I think back on this experience, I couldn’t be more appreciative of the healthcare team and what they did for me. While it was an ophthalmic surgeon who performed my retinal surgery, the optometrist set the whole plan in motion, insisting that I come to the office right away, expertly diagnosing the condition and referring me to the retina specialist, all the while being as reassuring as could be. Even in the absence of the optometrist I usually see, her office took great care of me. The young optometrist I did see that first day is a tribute to the schools and colleges of optometry, who obviously do a fantastic job training doctors of optometry who are ready to provide top-notch eye care.

My experience showed me like nothing else ever had how important it is to have optometrists in our communities and what a difference they can make in our lives as they safeguard our precious gift of sight. Everyone should have their own doctor of optometry. As I learned firsthand, it’s as important as having a primary care physician. It’s not a luxury, it’s a real necessity!

As graduation from optometry school neared, Valerie Lam OD, FAAO, knew she wanted pediatrics and vision therapy to be her career focus, so she wanted to further sharpen her VT skills and add to the experience she gained in her fourth-year rotations. She and a classmate had discussed the possibility of opening their own practice, so she also wanted to be as equipped as possible for patient care and “come out of school thinking more like a doctor and less like a student,” she says. Also on her mind was having the option of teaching at some point in the future. A residency was the way to address all of these goals. The summer after her graduation from Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University, Dr. Lam completed the college’s 2012-2013 Pediatric Optometry and Vision Therapy residency.

Dr. Adeline Bauer, OD, FAAO, FSLS, completed her 2014-2015 Cornea/Contact Lenses residency at Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University the summer after she graduated from the college in 2014. She pursued a residency because she wasn’t quite sure exactly where and how she wanted to practice after optometry school. During the residency she rotated through several types of settings, including a private optometry practice, a cornea specialist’s office, a specialty contact lens clinic and a contact lens lab. She was able to acquire broad experience while keeping her options open, and she felt the residency could take her in a number of different directions such as private practice, research or a hospital setting. She also learned something surprising. “What I liked most was the teaching component,” she says. “I never would have known that if I hadn’t done my residency! I do want to teach someday.”

Many Reasons to Do a Residency

According to residency directors, Drs. Lam and Bauer had great reasons for wanting to do a residency, and there are other reasons as well. Says Brianne Hobbs, OD, FAAO, assistant professor and residency director at Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry, “Residency is an opportunity to both broaden and deepen your knowledge base while gaining clinical experience caring for patients. Residency allows you the unique experience of tackling complex cases outside of your comfort zone in a protected, nurturing, learning environment. It’s an ideal time to challenge yourself, to identify what you know and what you don’t, and to strengthen the areas that need improvement.”

Alison Jenerou, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, associate professor and director of residencies at Michigan College of Optometry, says “The benefits of doing a residency include working with like-minded people who havethe same level of passion for an area of optometry. This pushes the resident to get out of his or her comfort zone, sharpen critical-thinking skills and become better, all while having the one-to-one mentorship of the residency supervisor and/or other attending doctors.” Dr. Jenerou adds, “The networking and connections made during the residency year open many doors for these individuals. Many become leaders in eye care.” Connections made during a residency may include not only fellow residents and program faculty and mentors, but also practitioners in other health professions and hospitals, and representatives from industry. Involvement in research projects, grand rounds and other seminars, and writing and presenting papers is also common during residency. Furthermore, when looking for their next optometric hire, schools and colleges of optometry, referral/surgery centers, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, many private practices and industry typically search for residency-trained optometrists.

How My Optometry Residency Helped Me

Dr. Lam and her former optometry school classmate did end up opening their own practice, Insight Vision Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., and she’s sure completing a residency was a big asset. “I got even more experience than I expected, doing infant contact lenses, pediatric low vision, special population exams and perceptual exams,” she recalls. “Residency is a great year of growing one’s independence and confidence as a doctor, but having the safety net of mentors by your side. I really felt that it opened my eyes to all the ways I can serve my patients as a vision therapy optometrist. It also opened my eyes to the field of behavioral optometry, which wasn’t taught to me in school.”

Reflecting on her residency, Dr. Bauer explains, “It made me a more confident clinician. I gained extensive hands-on experience in patient management not normally emphasized in optometry school, such as
working with post-cataract surgery patients and fitting contact lenses for patients who had corneal transplants.” Today, in her position at Upper Peninsula Eye Specialists, a group OD/MD practice in Marquette, Mich., she sees these types of patients regularly. Dr. Bauer continues, “During residency I also met and keep in touch with a lot of the leaders in the contact lens field. The residency helped me network and build a team of mentors who I still keep in touch with. They’re a wealth of knowledge, and I know I can pick their brains on any challenges I run across.”

Advice for Residency Seekers

For optometry students who have decided they want to pursue a residency, Dr. Hobbs recommends keeping an open mind and exploring programs in a variety of settings. “Often students narrow their focus too quickly and eliminate programs that would have provided excellent educational experiences,” she notes. She also advises students to make contact early and often with programs they’re considering.
“These ‘touchpoints’ foster a relationship with the program supervisor and give the applicant a realistic picture of what the residency program is actually like,” she explains. “Reaching out to former residents is also a great way to obtain an unedited version of the benefits and challenges of any particular program. I
think a good strategy for third- and fourth-year students is to proceed as if they are pursuing a residency until another opportunity redirects them.” Dr. Jenerou recommends that students make a list of what they want to get out of a residency and compare it to the programs they think interest them. “Envision and research how the programs might or might not be able to meet your goals,” she says. “Then formulate some questions to ask the residency supervisors and current or previous residents to paint the full picture of what a year in their program would be like.”

Getting that full picture is important, says Dr. Bauer, because both the applicant and the program want to be a good fit. “Each residency is different and has a different area of emphasis,” she explains. “Do your research. Some are more clinical, while others deal more with research, for example. The best way to know what that residency is like is to ask the previous residents. What was their favorite and least favorite part? What is the patient base like? Don’t forget to ask about cost of living and lifestyle of the area! That will definitely affect how well you fit the residency.” [You can look up previous residents from all of the programs using the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) Resident Directory.] And while you’re in the program, Dr. Lam advises, “Be a sponge. Learn as much as you can and have an open mind about everything you’re learning and what other doctors are doing out there.”

Some Residency Logistics

The first step for students wanting to apply for a residency position is registering with ASCO’s Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch). Online registration for 2017-2018 residencies opens Oct. 5, 2016. ORMatch is an application service and process that helps applicants obtain positions in optometry residency programs of their choice and vice versa. It’s the same type of system used in other health professions and by hospitals in their annual recruitment of medical residents.

Currently, there are more than 200 optometric residency programs that are approved by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. The programs offer a total of more than 400 positions. Non-accredited residency programs also are available, and information on both accredited and non-accredited programs can be found in ASCO’s Residency Directory. The types of residencies available fall into 11 general categories:

• Family Practice Optometry
• Primary Eye Care
• Cornea and Contact Lenses
• Geriatric Optometry
• Pediatric Optometry
• Low Vision Rehabilitation
• Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation
• Ocular Disease
• Refractive and Ocular Surgery
• Community Health Optometry
• Brain Injury Vision Rehabilitation.

Optometry residencies typically run for one year, usually from the first of July to June 30. Depending on the institution funding the program, residents receive a stipend that ranges from about $25,000 to around $60,000. Residents usually receive some benefits, too, such as continuing education opportunities, health insurance, professional liability insurance, vacation time and paid sick leave. A handful of programs that offer training without compensation are available for graduates who aren’t selected for a funded program but are motivated to complete a residency.

Benefits for Now and the Future

Regardless of when or where optometrists have completed residencies, they tend to consider them
invaluable. “Residency was the single most enriching year of my life,” says Dr. Hobbs. “I learned a lot
about eyes, but I learned more about life. Residency was a time for me to thoughtfully determine what type of doctor, and more importantly what type of person, I wanted to become. It’s impossible for me to assign a value that would accurately reflect what my residency was worth to me. It fundamentally shaped the way I care for patients, evaluate evidence and teach students.”

For More Information

Detailed ORMatch instructions and additional important application dates and deadlines can be found at the ORMatch website. More information about optometry residencies in general can be found at ASCO’s website.