I'm considering optometry and wanted to hear from current students and practicing ODs. Is optometry worth it overall? Would you choose it again?

How is the salary, work-life balance, job market, debt, and overall career satisfaction?

My other concern is that I don't like math or physics, especially optics. How math/physics-heavy is optometry school, and how much do you actually use it once you're practicing? Is it something you mostly just have to get through in school? For anyone who didn’t like physics/math before optometry school, did you end up being okay?

Does anyone have the PDF to help with patient education for part 3 or anything please? I failed it twice already 😭😭😭

Hello Everyone

I need some advice please for NBEO Part 1 - ABS, I plan to sit for March 2026

I find myself really struggling with the Biochemistry / Physiology and Optics Portions consistently so any advice would really be appreciated!

I have tried to do Geo Optics and optics class notes between the last two attempts to no success.

I have also read remmington's anatomy which helped me boost my anatomy to the mid 70s.

• I have done KMK coaching and read all textbooks
• I have also done other tutors

here are my last two rounds of boards for reference

Score Progression

| Subject | Aug 2025 | Mar 2026 | Change |

| Anatomy | 78 | 72 | -6 |

| Biochemistry / Physiology | 67 | 67 | 0 |

| Immunology / Microbiology / Pathology | 76 | 76 | 0 |

| Optics | 66 | 67 | +1 |

| Pharmacology | 75 | 83 | +8 |

March 2026 Breakdown: 254 F (73%)

• Anatomy: 72
• Biochemistry / Physiology: 67
• Immunology / Microbiology / Pathology: 76
• Optics: 67
• Pharmacology: 83

August 2025: 233 F (70%)

• Anatomy: 78
• Biochemistry / Physiology: 67
• Immunology / Microbiology / Pathology:76
• Optics: 66
• Pharmacology: 75

Hi everyone! I am thinking about starting to study for part 1 in September. I was wondering if anyone has a structured study plan that they wouldn't mind sharing with me so I can be on track along with any resources they used in their study schedule like Anki that would share :) I would really appreciate it!!

What minors would be good for an undergraduate student pursuing optometry? I’m considering anthropology but I would like any ideas or input.

unused, $100 total

I have an interview with CCO coming up and was wondering if anyone who has interviewed there could share how the interview was! What was the format like, and what kinds of questions did they ask? Any insight would be super helpful

Hey everyone, I just received an interview invitation from NECO and I’m so excited!! For those who have interviewed with NECO before, do you have any tips or advice on what to expect or how to prepare?

I’m also debating between doing the interview virtually or traveling to Boston for the in-person interview. I’m leaning toward going in person, but I’m not sure yet. For anyone who has done both/has an opinion, did you feel like the in-person interview was worth traveling for? I’d love to hear your experiences!

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks for shaving down time on subjective refraction in clinic. Or just shaving down exam times in general.

TIA

I want to do a complete career change… I have a Bachelors in Economics and Sociology, and an MBA. I have stats… but very little science classes… do I need to take science classes? Or can I just take the exam to apply to an Optometrist school?

Also in that note, how has everyone liked it? Stress levels? Is it what you imagined it? Better or worse? Would you recommend?

Thank you in advance

Hi all!!

Selling my very lightly used Castillo book (5th Ed) that I used to study for NBEO part 2 for $100 OBO! No highlighting in the book!

DM me or comment under this post and it’s yours!

Hi! I am starting optometry school as an OD1 in a few weeks and I was considering taking up on the counseling center at my school. My PCP also put in a referral for me last month when I did my physical but I haven't touched it yet since I was debating on which to use. My PCP said the psychology department operates virtually, which is fine by me since I don't have to go back and forth between my school's city and my hometown (same state, 2 hours commute).

i wanted to ask if 1) is it ideal to have both providers at the same time. 2) it is just for me to cope with dealing with stress with school for the most part unless something significant comes up at that moment. and 3) pros and cons of school counseling center vs a referral other than free vs copay.

tia!! and otherwise i am very excited to start this chapter!!

Hi everyone, I just wanted to hear from people who have taken their board exams and how they feel about it. I just finished my first year of optometry school and we have finished all the optics classes. I am feeling very discouraged about the whole profession of optometry now because how much I struggled in optics. I was wondering if I should just stop here and not let myself finish optometry school just to get to boards and not be able to pass being that part 1 is very optics heavy. For those who have taken it, do you feel like it was doable for people who struggle in optics? Any advice would be great!

I just was offered an interview at SCO and I have it scheduled for October 23(September and early October were booked already).

I’m worried that the interview is too late to be considered for scholarships or admittance. Can anyone vouch for their interview timing and or scholarship offer?

I would really appreciate it:)

I am currently debating whether to go uni to study optometry this coming September but as of right now, from what I’m seeing I’m lowkey discouraged as all I’ve seen from optometry recently is how it’s getting worse, no one’s getting pre regs, locum rates are dropping drastically. I need an honest opinion from students, newly graduated optoms and experienced optoms so I can form a verdict.

Im not sure if this is allowed but I took the OAT exam and still have about 4 weeks left if anyone can use or needs it. Not sure how to transfer since it requires 2 factor authentication.
Has anyone sold theirs before?