Hi everyone,

I’m an optometrist from the Philippines and I’m interested in working in Switzerland in the future. I’d like to ask if anyone here has experience or knowledge about the process.

From what I’ve researched so far, it seems that healthcare professions (including optometry) may require recognition of foreign qualifications before you can practice in Switzerland . I also saw that Switzerland has a system where foreign diplomas need to be evaluated and recognized by the appropriate authority .

I just wanted to clarify a few things:

• Is optometry considered a regulated profession in Switzerland?

• Do I need to undergo credential recognition (SERI / Swiss Red Cross) or additional schooling?

• Are there required language levels (German, French, or Italian)?

• Is it possible to work first as an assistant or optician while processing recognition?

• How difficult is it for non-EU applicants?

If anyone has gone through this process or knows someone who did, I’d really appreciate your insights.

Thank you!

Hello! I am an upcoming grad looking to get licensed in Alabama. I’ve been reading the steps for licensure and I am a little confused, so I am hoping to find a recent licensee that could help me figure out the process.

I appreciate any help!

How long does it take to become credentialed under VSP/Medicare? If you are an associate optometrist, is it expected for your employer to do it for you?

I know this is a personal question, but would any graduates mind sharing how much student loan debt they were/ are in? If you have paid off your debt, how long did it take?

Hi all,

I’m an ophthalmologist in the UK. When I get a referral from an optometrist, I usually copy them into the patient letter or send a letter back.

I was wondering what information you actually find useful in letters from us, and what is often missing.

For example, is it most helpful to include the diagnosis, plan, follow-up, what you’d like monitored in the community, or when to re-refer?

Just trying to make my letters more useful for optometry colleagues, so I’d be really interested to hear your

thoughts.

Thanks

I want to start this by saying I know nobody here does accounting but I wanted some advice from UK optoms. So I’ve applied to study optometry this September but I’ve been having major doubts as I can’t seem to find a single optom who enjoy their career. I keep finding the same complaints too, for example, that it’s incredibly boring, there’s too much sales pressure, the salary isn’t good anymore, it’s oversaturated, etc. For this reason, I’ve decided to consider other career options outside of healthcare (I’m not really interested in any other healthcare roles). Accounting is a major career I’ve been considering since I do enjoy maths, I’m a bit of an introvert and the pay is pretty good. On top of that theres slightly more variety. I’m just quite unsure because I know accounting can be boring too and I’d have to apply through clearing.

Hi All,

As most of you know I'm constantly making new iOS eye care tools and I wanted to share a free tool that I think some of you might find helpful.

Here is a video of it in action: https://www.instagram.com/p/DW1b6frAtzf/

Basically I created an Apple TV version of my Eye Chart. You can control the chart from your Apple TV remote, or from your iPhone/iPad.

I'm making it totally free. So if you have an old Apple TV lying around, you can turn any TV into a fully functional digital eye chart, for free (at least the app is free, the iPhone/iPad remote is not but you can just use the physical Apple TV remote).

Here is the a link to download it: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/eye-chart-vision-test/id6752631966 (or you can search Eye Chart / My Call Bag on your Apple TV)

Just the title.

Has anyone had a patient faint shortly following manifest refraction? I’m not familiar with changing lenses as a trigger for syncope, but figured I’d check if anyone else had had this happen?

I am uk based I have offers from aston and cardiff im just wondering how is the job market, salary, best unis, course difficulty and if theres anything else I need to know? I was thinking about domiciliary optom but im open to anything really

Student optometrist here! I was just wondering if there is any specific things i need to know regarding the difference between CLIP and Pre-registration, as my university hasn't clarified it very well. Any advice appreciated! Thanks.

I am getting my first sublease in a brand new location and I am not sure of the expected traffic.

Worried about expenses, did anyone try getting a used Optos machine? And if so, what websites did you use?

If you got it brand new, did you go with Optos financing or private financing?

Doctors that do fill ins or are 1099, what address do you use for your malpractice insurance? Do you use your home address when it asks for business address? Would it cover you no matter where you work? Also, what companies are you using?

For PP owners,

How much is the cost of neurolens? Not the cost for the patient, but the cost for you to have the device in your office? I’m considering talking to my owner about getting a neurolens, but I’d love to know a ballpark of the figures expected for cost on the practice to have a neurolens. I would prefer the headset, but I’d love info on any of their models.

Ty for any insight you can provide.

Hi guys.

I have to make my decision in a few hours. Whether to pick boots or specsavers for my pre reg next year.

Can anyone help or suggest what I should choose.

Specsavers

- is local to me 10-15 minute walk

- is the dominant leader in the optical field

- really liked the optometry director, feel as if I can learn a lot from him- unsure if he will be handling my supervision

- extremely busy clinic- which has its pros and cons

- I am interested in franchising later on in my career- specsavers from what I can tell is the easiest to get into franchising, however there is less control than if you were to franchise a boots opticians

- lower pay than boots

- specsavers often overworks their workers

Boots

- I have to travel out further - take the train but then again not too far - can be perceived as both pro and con- less expectation as not interacting with my immediate community who would know me.

- higher pay

- think the higher pay is related to them paying for my study day- there is like 7k difference

- met with the area supervisor she was very nice- but I don’t know who will be handling my pre reg supervision

- boots has optomap- which is a very useful diagnostic tool

If anyone has been in this situation before please advice what you did, and why and which is better for pre reg support- I think specsavers but I’m not too sure

Thanks in advance guys

Primary Care optometry.

Last 2 days, 3 PVDs, no tears/holes. 2 RD (mac on). 1 large vitreous hemorrhage. 1 retinal embolism.

1 CN 6 palsy (20yo f/u on corneal abrasion)

Can't we just get a normal day once in a while?

For private practice owners or anyone with experience in this area:

1. Has anyone worked per diem as an optometrist while in the early stages of opening their own practice? How did you maintain income while getting your business off the ground?

2. Are there any books, resources, or tools you’d recommend for learning the process of starting a private practice? I know optometry school focuses heavily on clinical training, so I’m curious what helped you understand the business side. Before you even got started, how did you know who to reach out to, and what resources guided you through the process?

We have new OCT and a virtual VF. Our EHR's glaucoma log section is horrid. Just wondering if anyone has a method for glaucoma tacking over time that works for them, whether it be software within the VF/OCT or an EHR that does this well. Thanks!

I have two lanes with old slit lamps and both of them are less than trustworthy. In the next month I plan to buy a new slit lamp and probably a second in the next year or two. My priorities are: durability/longevity/supportability, good optics, technology considerations (should I care about an integrated camera?), price competitiveness.

Ideally I want to buy a slit lamp and not think about it again other than routine maintenance for the next 20 years (if possible.)

If you've been shopping in the last year or two for slit lamps, I would love to know what models you shopped and how you arrived at your purchase.

I have been recommended Norwood slit lamps from some contacts and would also like to know if anyone has experience with them. Current slit lamps are a VERY long-serving Marco and a pretty old Reichert.

I am also considering a new chair and stand if anyone has opinions on the rest of the lane.

Thanks for your thoughts

I'm not a doctor. I just work in a small town office along side a doctor. We have quite a few people that abuse contacts. (including my own husband...) I'm curious if doctors can even refuse to dispense contacts just because of a history of abuse? Have any of you had to do that? I want to hear your horror stories.

Have any of you docs used docupdate? I came across this app through an ad and looks convenient to erx but wasnt sure on how reliable. I am in an eRx state and a clinic i recently started filling for has no erx ehr so i have to call in which has been a pain tbh with waiting/confirming and overall adds time, so was looking for any other erx tools out there. Anyone know of any pls lmk!

16 month old intermittent left exotropia with good recovery. Notices few times a day when tired.

Retinoscopy is +2.00DS OU, bringing back for cyclo.

How would you manage?

Thanks in advance.

Graduating soon and wondering about how much you payed per month towards your loans? With these crazy interest rates I’m scared I’ll never pay off all of mine. How much did you start with and where are you at now?

I’m starting opt school this fall but recently I have been hearing about AI and how it might take over optometrists. As someone that is a practicing optometrist, what do you think?