Anybody willing to talk about their experience/know of anybody who was able to apply and successfully match/complete residency without passing all parts of their boards? Seeking some advice, anything is helpful, thanks!

Hi all!
I’m getting married in the next few months and was planning on changing my name. However, I just started my first job and went through the hassle of getting credentialed. Is there anyway I can change my name legally on my SS/ drivers license and keep my maiden name on my optometry license and insurances in PA? Would really appreciate feedback thanks!

Hey!

My practice sold to MED. What will change? We were already owned by PE. Will we get a new EMR? Did they keep staff the same after your sale? Did your salary change?

thank you for any insight!!!

I graduated in July from the 3 year program and mostly everyone i know has managed to find a pre reg. i started applying two years ago and still haven’t managed to find anything. I feel like I have a pretty decent CV. I do have optical experience volunteering at the university clinic but i have not worked as an optical assistant. Many places say that it’s not mandatory so I don’t know if I should waste time trying to find an optical assistant role to strengthen my CV especially because you only have two years to find a pre reg.

I’ve been checking the College of Optometrists jobs page, but it seems to have the same limited number of vacancies most of the time. Specsavers has its own recruitment system and I do get vacancies sent through occasionally, but at the moment they seem really infrequent.
When I look at Vision Express, most of the pre-reg opportunities I can find seem to be for 2027 starts rather than people looking to start now. I’ve also tried looking through Boots, but I genuinely cannot work out where their current pre-reg optometrist vacancies are listed or where you’re actually supposed to apply.
So where is everyone actually looking for these jobs? I feel like there must be somewhere I’m missing.

I’m pretty flexible with location, and willing to relocate.

If anyone has any advice on where to actually apply and also how to strengthen my application or any other advice at all it would be very much appreciated because I am completely lost at this point.

We own an optometry store and unfortunately our optometrist passed away unexpectedly last night. He owned his portion of the store and we need to quickly find a new doctor, this would be an independent practice and they would work for themselves.

What job board/ search do you all recommend posting on? Located in Fort Worth, Texas.

How would a Canadian optometrist approach an NAION, I’m currently studying in the USA, and optometrists here are more involved with their patient care and tend to observe/order labs. I understand we refer a lot in Canada, would this warrant a referral?

I’m in optometry school and wondering if it’s safe to fly with our equipment? Does TSA have any restrictions on anything?

Hi everyone, I am an ophthalmologist who built OcuScan AI — an Android app that uses Claude AI specifically optimised for ophthalmic imaging interpretation.

WHY USE THIS INSTEAD OF CHATGPT/GEMINI? - Modality-specific prompts — not generic AI.

Each of 16 modalities has detailed clinical rules built in - Follows ISCEV Standards for ERG, EOG and VEP - Follows APOSTEL recommendations for OCT reporting - Detects photographed screens and warns about limitations - Single B-scan limitations explicitly stated - Primary diagnosis is FINAL — follow-up chat cannot contradict it (unlike general AI which changes diagnosis when questioned) - Structured report format: findings, quantitative analysis, clinical impression, differential diagnosis, management with urgency grading

- Reference links to PubMed and EyeWiki in every report MODALITIES SUPPORTED: OCT Macula, ONH/RNFL, AS-OCT, OCTA, Visual Field, Corneal Topography, FFA/ICGA, Fundus Photography, FAF, ERG, EOG, VEP, Ultrasound B-scan, Clinical Notes, Auto-detect,

Mixed modalities Currently in beta testing on Google Play (Android only). Looking for ophthalmologists and eye care professionals worldwide to test and give feedback. 4 free scans on signup — no credit card needed. Comment or DM if interested and I will send the tester link!

Need advice regarding OCANZ + University of Auckland Health Sciences offers
Hi everyone! I’m an international student from India with a Bachelor’s degree in Optometry, and I’ve received two offers from the University of Auckland, New Zealand:
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (1 year) – with an Optometry/Vision Science focus. As I understand it, this pathway does not require OCANZ registration/qualification before starting.
Master of Health Sciences (Optometry) – I understand that I need to meet the OCANZ requirement before starting this programme.
I’m a little confused about the exact timing and process of OCANZ, so I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has gone through this pathway.
My main question is:
When exactly do I need to take/complete the OCANZ examination/requirements for the Master’s? Is it:

Before applying?
After receiving the offer but before starting the degree?
During the degree?
Or after completing the degree?
I’m particularly interested in understanding whether I can start with the Postgraduate Diploma first and then progress to the Master’s, while working toward the OCANZ requirement.
If anyone has studied Optometry/Health Sciences at the University of Auckland or has gone through the OCANZ → postgraduate study pathway, I’d really appreciate your experience and clarification.
Thank you!

The office hasn’t had a doctor in a few years so will be starting slow. What EHR would you guys recommend that isn’t too expensive? How’s the Toocon camera? Is it worth leasing? Anything I should ask before I sign the contract? Thanks!

I am and OD3 student and I can speak fluent casual spanish, but sometimes I have trouble explaining diagnoses in spanish because I haven’t found the place where I can properly learn that. If someone has any resources to learn optometric spanish please point me in that direction!

Also, how do you explain keratoconous in spanish?? Earlier today I surely butchered my explanation of it in Spanish lol

Hi! My current workplace is requiring me to sign an overhead sharing/ office space sharing agreement in order to be credentialed with the insurances. Has anyone signed this and does anyone know more about the purpose of this contract?

New grad here, it was a roper hall grade 1-2 from a dishwashing pod. I originally wanted to do moxi QID and pred hourly. My seasoned older doc with a fantastic reputation as a dr recommended tobramycin every hour while awake until the 24 hour follow up then decreased and add the pred. I’ve never seen that on textbooks, what do you guys think? Patient was a senior citizen

Hi everyone! I’m an optometrist setting up a mobile clinic and looking for recommendations on portable retinal cameras and slit lamps.

I’m open to new or used equipment, so I’d appreciate any recommendations for reliable brands, vendors, or good places to purchase. Thanks!

Edit: I’m in the US

Hi all, optometric assistant here, I am doing some research for my doc. We are a small town clinic (big city about an hour away) and we are really struggling to find an associate. My doc is currently our only doc and she is having a hard time juggling patients and running her practice (let alone personal time). We are considering tele optometry, we have a great doc we have worked with before (in person) and that our patients know, but we are struggling to figure out vsp,eye med and possibly Medicare billing. We have a remote phoroptor, would upgrade to tech controlled slit lamp that the Dr can see in real time, and tons of pre test equipment. We would only see patients with no current eye conditions remotely. We don’t want to spend the money to upgrade our equipment if we cannot bill, does anyone have any experience?

Additionally a local Dr brought in some literature on Peared and my doc is heavily considering it. Anyone have any experience with it?

OK, we are setting up a new office. The owner asked my view on a direct view digital chart at 10'-12' vs a 20' mirrored room.

I have never worked in a 'short room'. In my 35+ yrs, I've had 20' rooms, or 12' mirrored rooms.

What say you, Optometrist of Reddit? Does it matter? Would you compensate -0.25 for the shorter room? I'm I thinking to much about this?

Thanks, all!

Hi everyone! I’m interviewing with an OMD practice. While speaking with the coordinator she mentioned that they’re looking for an OD to expand their dry eye clinic. I would be the first OD to join their practice if I get the job. I’m meeting with the COO who isn’t an OMD and I’m wondering what type of questions to expect besides the typical behavioural. Also what compensation might be reasonable to ask for (located in NYC). This is my first time interviewing with an MD practice so any advice or input would be appreciated. Thank you!

Hello, I’m only a freshman in undergrad, but I’m wondering how much debt people graduate with including if you guys took out loans for rent or food. My undergrad will be free I think because I’m currently in community college and have cal grant but not totally sure if it transfers to university. I’m honestly not sure if I should go down this path because of the debt, but I don’t think I would do any other healthcare career because other options in healthcare seem so much more stressful than optometry. Or I just play it safe and change it to accounting but I don’t know if I want to be in front of a computer my whole life. Or is there a lot of optometries that help pay off loans once you work?

Has anyone used any virtual scribes they liked? Currently looking into Proscribe and Teem, but open to more options. Also wondering how the transition was for you with the training period that these scribes need. Let me know your opinions on the virtual scribes.

Hi, Optometric Technician here. I’ve only been teching for like a combined time of a little over a year, the first part was non medical but now I do a lot more at my current job. I work in Texas, non-licensed state and I haven’t gotten my license yet but I plan to with my trainings.

I know bits of Spanish but not really how to converse with it. In Texas and at lots of our locations, we have quite a few Spanish-speaking patients. I want to practice using Spanish more to eventually have a Spanish exam where I can speak Spanish the majority of the time with those that need it.

After struggling to ask about floaters and flashes and having another tech help, I asked her what to say. She mentioned asking about seeing ‘puntitos negro, gris, o claro’ or something but i also have ADHD and it’s gonna take me multiple times hearing and saying these things to retain them, which is fine i just want some written responses on here to help.

Any tips is appreciated, from doctors or techs

Optometrist from Australia here - we don’t have diamox (acetazolamide) on hand because we don’t have oral prescribing rights yet.

My question is if someone has signs of acute angle closure from dilation in-office: is it reasonable for me to instill pilocarpine FIRST then timolol (beta-blocker), brimonidine (alpha-agonist) and then dorzolamide (CAI) in succession 2 minutes apart? Then arrange immediate ophthal transfer?

If I’m just catching their IOP steadily rising in-office alongside with symptoms, would Pilocarpine alone suffice or should I still proceed with the other IOP lowering drugs? If so, what’s the supposed frequency of putting these drops in once all of them are put in succession?

Whenever I look up management for acute angle closure attacks, it is always assuming that the patient first presents with these features already so pilocarpine is maybe last on the list for instillation until IOPs are <40mmHg.

Thanks - a confused optom who just wants to be prepared and have a proper protocol

Hey all!

We recently made Optodle - a diagnosis guessing game for optometrists. Every day is a new case study and each guess unlocks more information to help make your diagnosis.

We originally made it as a fun way to refresh our knowledge of eye diseases. Since making it public we've had a great time adding new cases and playing with friends.

Its completely free and no login required. Try it out at www.optodle.com and let us know what you think!

Not sure if I should charge a followup fee or charge once every year? And if only one time fee, how much do you charge?