Optometry offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to practice settings and environments. However, from a new graduate’s standpoint, it’s hard to get an honest representation of a practice setting without actually spending time within.
Some students never have exposure to a particular practice setting until after graduation when it’s time to look for a job. Knowing what you’re getting yourself into is a very important part of the initial job search.
Here are some pros and cons compiled by anonymous docs that can help you determine which common practice setting is right for you. This post is intended to help guide the initial job search. By no means does this replace the value of actual experiences!
Corporate/Retail
| PROS |
CONS |
| High pay |
Less medical practice |
| Organized |
Longer hours |
| Don’t need to sell |
Less flexibility with days off |
| No startup costs |
No decision making on frame lines/insurance |
| Don’t have to worry about staffing |
Very few specialties |
| Refer out complex cases |
Don’t set your own fees |
| Multiple locations |
Often work weekends |
Private Practice (Associate Doctor)
| PROS |
CONS |
| Flexible hours |
Benefits variable |
| Freedom to practice medically |
Higher patient volume |
| Don’t have to worry about staffing |
Limitations on practice patterns |
| Specialties are possible |
Pay variable |
| Ability to grow/buy out practice |
Less job security if part time |
| No startup costs |
Production quotas |
| Build long-term patient relationships |
Often work weekends |
Private Practice (Owner)
| PROS |
CONS |
| Adjustable schedule |
Hiring/firing staff |
| Autonomy over frame brands |
Little profit generated if out of office |
| Job security |
Administrative responsibilities |
| Specialties are possible |
Provide your own benefits |
| Control of volume |
Sometimes have to mediate conflict |
| Startup costs |
Can be on call |
| Build long-term patient relationships |
Must market yourself |
OD/OMD
| PROS |
CONS |
| Stable schedule (very few weekends) |
Very high patient volume |
| Updated equipment |
Sometimes on call |
| Refracting technicians/scribe |
Very little contact lens practice |
| Good exposure to ocular/systemic disease |
Little input for improvements |
| Great pay in comparison to other modalities |
Can lose optical skills |
| Good benefits |
No vision therapy/low vision/other specialties |
| CE allowances |
Long hours |
I hope this post was helpful! Stay tuned for more career tips in the coming weeks!
Dr. Amadian