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Optometry's Future

 U.S. News and World Report Magazine Poll & Kiplinger Magazine Poll:

"Careers for the Coming Decade 2010-2020:"

http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/12/06/best-careers-2011-optometrist

http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/onthejob/archive/13-careers-for-the-next-decade.html

  • THIRD LARGEST independent healthcare profession.
  • According to the American Optometric Association, average annual income from the primary practice of optometry was $132,052 in 2011.

Optometry is a GROWING Profession!

  • Recent history – optometrists gained the rights to prescribe therapeutic pharmaceuticals:
    • Optometry is now the primary entry point in the health care delivery system.  Insurance payers want their members to see optometrists first!
    • Third party insurance plans trust us to be the gatekeepers-- optometrists decide how eye care is accessed by patients because they can treat or triage ANY ocular problem
  • Specialization occurring within optometric education creating more market demand for optometric services. (Cornea/Contact Lens, Pediatric Optometry, Vision Therapy, Low Vision).
  • Optometrist continuing to provide 2/3’s+ of all eye care in the U.S.
  • Will become even more recognized and respected as a major health care profession by all disciplines within the medical community.
  • U.S. ophthalmic market totaled $27.2 billion (2006 poll) which is up 6.5 percent over two years ago.  Private optometry accounts for the largest share of this market—approx. 39.1%.
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics expects more than 24 percent growth through 2018.
  • 75% of Optometrists make $59.91 an hour while seeing patients in clean, low-stress environments (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Optometry’s FUTURE is SECURE!

  • Aging population—Baby Boomers will need eye care.
  • Rising third party payers want full service providers—thats optometrists!
  • Pre and post-op care for Laser Vision Correction is done by optometrists—ophthalmology relies on us for this service.
  • Occupational visual demands are greater than ever before.
  • Optometry has the second highest small business success rate.
  • Laws have changed in two U.S. states granting laser and surgical privileges to optometrists.

Other Benefits of Optometry

  • Four Years of professional school for Doctor of Optometry—ready for licensure and practice.
  • Increasing demand for co-management of patients with MD’s.
  • Options of private practice, military, VA hospitals and HMO’s.

 


 



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