Is Optometry A Minority Profession?

Dr. Hayes, I am sorry, but I, personally, do not consider myself a member of a minority profession as you categorized us in your blog on the history of managed care. Click here to read.

I think some of Optometry’s problems come from this attitude of we’re a ‘minority profession’.

It would seem the AOA also has a problem with this idea of being a lower level profession. We react to perceived difficulties instead of moving carefully and thoughtfully.

The AOA is pushing Optometry into this bubbling cauldron with an ill thought out board certification that is bad timing, and reactive policy. We need a united effort and cannot afford such visible divisions.

In my opinion, we need to tread very lightly until we see some stabilization from our government.

As Optometrists, glasses, contact lenses and other optical devices are in our job description and are, for now, in our control. We need to keep what we have and achieve more, not go backwards.

I think Optometry is in a unique position to achieve a higher standing in providing primary care in the future eye healthcare field.

Always move forward, but carefully.

Joseph Young, OD

Dr. Joe,

Thanks for writing.

You make some good points and I accept your admonition for using the term ‘minority’ to describe ODs.

I invite all my readers to come up with a better term for our numerically smaller position than MDs and Dentists.

Regards,
Jerry Hayes, OD

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