When you think of optometry, the image that often comes to mind is a typical nine-to-five day spent in a small office equipped with a phoropter and a slit lamp. However, there's much more to this field than meets the eye—quite literally.
In this article, we’ll explore some unconventional roles in optometry that are gaining traction, offering careers outside the traditional path.
My personal experience with optometry side hustles
Before delving into the discussion about various optometry outlets, let’s start with my personal journey. Born in the '90s, I belong to the millennial generation, often dubbed as the “internet generation.”
For us, the internet grew up alongside us—from the era of relying on "yellow pages" for information to having Google at our fingertips 24/7. The internet has always been a vital connector for our generation, a crucial aspect of our careers, especially outside regular office hours.
I graduated during the turbulent COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, a time of uncertainty, particularly daunting for a new optometry graduate like myself. With physical clinics inaccessible, I turned to online continuing education courses and took a leap by launching my own Instagram handle, @Dr.Amal_Optometrist.
My goal wasn't to become an "influencer," but rather to connect with potential clients during lockdown. I started creating educational reels focused on optometry, and to my surprise, I gained a following including pre-optometry students, colleagues, and the general public—a testament to the unexpected interest in optometry.
Finding non-clinical optometry work opportunities
As conditions improved, I leveraged this platform to build my patient base when I could return to the clinic. Many who had connected with me online, from friends and family to strangers, booked eye exams with me. What began as a small initiative during COVID-19 significantly boosted my optometry career and visibility within commercial optometry companies.
A myriad of non-clinical opportunities arose because of my social media presence. These included interviews with OCuSOFT, affiliations with CorneaCare, and partnerships with OATBooster. Additionally, my journey as a content creator expanded to include writing optometry-based articles, connecting me further with the optometry community, and generating additional income outside clinical hours.
In today's tech-driven world, exploring diverse strategies beyond the clinic has been pivotal in advancing my optometry career. Whether through social media engagement or article writing, optometry offers more than just the traditional nine to five, thanks to our perpetual online presence. Understanding and embracing current online trends is crucial to connecting with younger demographics and expanding clientele.
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4 ways to grow your non-clinical optometry career
Let's delve into four of the main avenues for optometry career expansion, explore what each of them entail, and discover how they can expand our horizons and help connect us with our patients.
The four top growth opportunities are:
- Content creation/Media
- Lecturing/Teaching
- Research
- Consultations/Marketing
1. Content creation/Media
Social media is an internet-based tool that enables users to connect, communicate, and share information across various platforms:1
- Social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, TikTok, Instagram)
- Professional networks (e.g., LinkedIn)
- Media sharing platforms (e.g., YouTube)
- Content production and knowledge sharing (e.g., Wikipedia)
- Virtual reality and gaming environments
For optometrists, embracing social media can significantly benefit their careers. Did you know that nearly 41% of healthcare consumers use social media when selecting a healthcare provider?2 Establishing a presence on these platforms can make it easier for patients to find and connect with optometrists, especially when they can view offered services and get to know their provider online beforehand.
Social media allows healthcare providers to share information, advocate for their profession, and engage with the public. During the COVID-19 pandemic, its usage in healthcare surged, with physicians forming numerous groups on platforms like Facebook to disseminate critical information. Having a social media presence has become increasingly standard in the profession.
Additionally, social media facilitates professional networking among healthcare providers. Platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn host communities where professionals discuss clinical cases, industry trends, and practice management, enhancing collaboration and knowledge exchange.1
How optometrists can leverage social media for career growth
As we embrace the digital age, staying informed and adaptive is crucial. Social media not only serves as a platform for knowledge dissemination but also supports content creation tailored to healthcare needs. Studies show that a significant number of physicians utilize social media professionally, focusing particularly on younger demographics who heavily use the internet, and are becoming a primary patient group.2
For optometrists, being active on social media enables them to stay current with trends, respond to patient inquiries promptly, and educate the community about eyecare practices. By leveraging these platforms, healthcare providers can educate, dispel myths, and promote advancements in eyecare technologies and treatments.
Moreover, maintaining an active social media presence enhances patient engagement, boosts brand visibility, and fosters positive relationships within the community. Optometrists are increasingly hiring social media managers to optimize their online presence, generate content that resonates with their audience, and leverage positive reviews to attract new patients.
Ready to be a content creator?
Utilize social media platforms to showcase your expertise and creative talents by posting educational content, patient testimonials, or updates on industry trends to build a following and establish credibility.
Take the quiz to learn the best optometry side hustle for you!
2. Lecturing
Lecturing is a powerful avenue for promoting optometry beyond the confines of clinical practice. Public speaking has long been instrumental in advancing medical knowledge and educating students and colleagues.3 As we continuously educate ourselves to stay current, our patients benefit directly from our evolving expertise.
There is a significant demand for lecturers, especially as optometrists are required to complete continuing education (CE) credits annually to maintain licensure. This creates opportunities for individuals less inclined toward clinical practice to contribute meaningfully.
Teaching at a school or college of optometry can also be a rewarding career path. Educators set the standard for professional care, ensuring future optometrists are well-prepared. Optometrists engaged in research often take on roles as academic optometrists, lecturing on new technologies and advancements.
They may also supervise PhD students, conduct research, and publish findings, blending teaching with scholarly pursuits. Further, they might also collaborate with professionals outside optometry, such as physicists, biologists, and engineers. Other forms of public speaking in optometry include roles as lecturers, readers, professors, clinical or program leads, and administrators.4
While challenging, these roles offer flexibility, often as part-time or contracted positions. Academic optometrists contribute not only to their field but also to interdisciplinary collaboration, enriching the broader scientific and medical community.
Interested in lecturing or teaching?
Start by taking on part-time roles as adjunct professors or teaching assistants. This allows you to gain experience and gradually transition into full-time academic positions.
3. Research
Working in clinical research can extend the impact optometrists can have beyond the clinical setting. Breakthroughs in clinical trials can significantly benefit patients on a larger scale. Clinical research in optometry is particularly crucial, addressing numerous eye diseases that lack effective treatments. This field is profoundly rewarding as it allows optometrists to witness the substantial future impact of novel treatments on patients' quality of life.5
Engaging in research is essential for advancing optometry, fostering innovation, and ensuring practitioners stay current with the latest data and ideas. Research initiatives are typically funded by government agencies, private foundations, and pharmaceutical companies, providing financial support for studies into various eye conditions. Many of these researchers work in an academic background or within research-based companies.
Conducting research enhances clinical skills and deepens knowledge, enabling optometrists to publish their findings and earn respect within their professional community. It also offers opportunities for income through research grants. Moreover, researchers often participate in international conferences, where they collaborate with global experts and present their findings to a diverse audience.4
Overall, research in optometry not only enhances patient care but also enriches the professional development and global engagement of optometrists, making it a vital aspect of advancing the field.
Want to engage in research?
Attend conferences dedicated to optometric research, such as the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) or the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), which provide opportunities to network, present findings, and stay abreast of advancements in the field. Active participation in research communities enhances professional development.
4. Consulting/Marketing
Optometrists possess a unique advantage in their field, as the practice of optometry intersects with industry and marketing, opening doors to diverse consulting opportunities.6
Here are some examples of different consulting and marketing avenues that optometrist are going into:
- Expert witnesses: Optometrists often serve as consultants in legal settings, providing expert opinions and advice to attorneys and appearing as witnesses in trials. Their expertise on the current standard of care is crucial in cases involving vision-related issues.
- Industry consulting: Many companies within and beyond the optical industry seek optometric consultants. For instance, businesses operating in hazardous environments or relying heavily on computer use may require guidance on reducing eye strain among employees.
- Moreover, industries designing vision-related products, such as the Apple Vision Pro from Apple, collaborate with optometrists, particularly those with PhDs in optics, to enhance understanding of ocular mechanics and optimize product performance for customers.
- Practice consulting: Optometric practices involved in buying or selling require thorough evaluations of their worth. This valuation process is critical, and many optometrists specialize in providing these services.
- Additionally, some optometrists establish consulting businesses focused on helping colleagues streamline their practice operations and enhance efficiency.
These consulting roles leverage optometrists' specialized knowledge and skills beyond clinical practice, contributing to various sectors while expanding professional opportunities within the field of optometry.
Have a knack for consulting?
Promote yourself by reaching out directly to lawyers with letters or brochures offering their services as expert witnesses. Showcase expertise by appearing on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to connect with potential clients.
Conclusion
Transitioning from clinical practice to roles outside the traditional clinic setting can be both challenging and rewarding. Effective self-promotion is key to gaining recognition in the community and exploring diverse career paths.
Regardless of the path chosen, treating oneself as a business and actively promoting skills and services is crucial for success outside the clinic. Embracing these strategies can open up numerous growth opportunities for optometrists seeking to expand their careers beyond traditional clinical practice.
