r/optometry

Hi everyone,

Just looking for some advice/tips. I’m a newish grad working in a rural practice with a high volume of medical patients/exams. For the last few months my confidence level when practicing has tanked. Some days are better than others but I’ve found that more often than not, I’m second guessing my decisions and overall stressed as the day progresses. I think I’m mostly concerned about missing something but also just doing what’s best for the patient in general. I work with a couple other docs but I’m on my own for 2 days a week. My colleagues are great, but I feel like I’m met with a bit of a cavalier attitude when I ask for advice. I’m thinking I’ll go back to basics and put some time in at home to refresh my knowledge but I’m wondering if anyone has other tips. Thanks!

Had a patient come in the other day saying he couldn’t see with his new his glasses. After working with an optician for an eternity, he revealed the glasses work great except for when he plucks his ear hair. He can’t see the hair enough.

Starting myopia control at my practice. Does most optometrists send atropine Rx to osrx?

I need to replace my Zeiss Visulens 500. Do you have a recommendation for an automated lensmeter that you like? Do you have recommendation for brands or models you would avoid? Thanks!

Does anyone have any experience with moonlighting/casual part time at Warby Parker? I’m interested in doing 1-2 Sundays per month with them. What was pay/patient load like? I’d be at a newer store with what looks like ~7 patients per day. Let me know your thoughts!

Hello, all. Has anyone recently sat for the Alabama state optometry licensing test? If so, what did you think of it? What was the rough breakdown of questions per subject, i.e. optics, pharmacology, anatomy, etc.? I will apply to take it next year. I have been out of school over 14 years, so I’ll be re-studying some aspects of optometry. Thankfully I kept a good bit of my major papers and my KMK workbooks from when I was in school. I appreciate beforehand the helpful replies!

I was always interested in pursuing a residency. However, decided to delay applying because I wanted to pass all parts of boards before doing so (had passed Part II and III before graduation). I recently retook Part I for the second time in August, passed and now am applying for licensure in my state.

However, there’s going to be quite a bit of time between when I finished my last rotation (early May) and when I become fully licensed to begin working (another few weeks). Not sure if my skills are stale and if I’ve forgotten some things.

Currently, I am applying to jobs but do feel nervous about interviews I have coming up — perhaps it’s imposter syndrome but I do feel unsure about working as a new grad without residency. I’m debating on applying to residencies now to brush up on my knowledge and gain more specific skills!

Do you guys have any insight on this? Is it common to feel this nervous for your first job — how did you combat it?

Is residency, in this scenario, worth pursuing? I was interested in ocular disease and specialty contact lens training.

Thanks!

I have two job interviews coming up, and honestly, what are some good questions to ask? What are some major things I should lookout for when it comes to job contracts? How do I even negotiate a salary? LOL I feel like a complete noob, HALP 🥲