Pupillary Pathways

The Apgar score is the very first test given to a newborn. It occurs in the delivery or birthing room right after the baby's birth, and then is repeated 5 minutes later. The test was designed to quickly evaluate a newborn's physical condition and to see if there's an immediate need for extra medical or emergency care.

Medical practitioners combine the score for each of the five factors for the total Apgar score. This will be between 10 and 0, with 10 being the highest score possible (but is rarely obtained).

This month's Optometrist spotlight is on Dr. Erin Swift, O.D., F.A.A.O who hails from San Diego and works for a VA Hospital. We got to ask her questions on her career path, a typical day, why she chose this practice and more more.

High-paying jobs tend to come with a great deal of stress. It’s a trade-off: If you want to make a lot of money, you have to be willing to work long hours and put up with incredibly stressful career paths. 

What if I told you that not only is the field of Optometry a fullfilling job if you have the passion for it, but the LEAST stressed job ranked recently AND you get paid very well.  Would you believe me?

Which of the following topical drops has the strongest cycloplegia effect?? Take our latest optometry quiz.

Be sure to check out our other quizzes!

Ranking optometry residency programs can be an extremely stressful decision! The residency program that you end up participating in will help mold your future as an optometrist, so there is a lot to consider before the final submission of your rank order list. We’ve put together a few tips for you to seriously think about before you press that submit button!

Do you get nervous when you see keratoconus patients on your schedule in the contact lens clinic? Not sure exactly where to start, what lenses to consider, what changes to make if the lenses aren't functioning properly or fitting well?

Yes, it’s that time of year again. The time of year when optometry students feel as if we have to turn over a new leaf. The time when we imagine that the arrival of a year will provide us the motivation and persistence we need to make some serious changes in our lives. 

Traditionally, New Year’s Day is thought to be the ideal time to kick start a new phase in your life and the time when you must make your all important new year’s resolution. Don’t start off the new year setting yourself up for failure by vowing to make huge changes that will be hard to keep.