An Objective Survey Comparison Of The Experience Of First Year Optometrist Residencies and Other Modes of Practice.

Background: This Research will be used to compare the first year optometrist’s experience to provide information to third and fourth year optometry students. Methods: Optometrists (O.D.s) from the class of 2015 who have recently completed a residency program or who have worked as an optometrist for one year completed the survey. The O.D. simply answered yes or no questions on whether they have seen and/or treated certain ocular conditions, such as ocular disease conditions, binocular vision disorders, and if they have fit certain contact lens modalities, as well as if they work with certain instrumentation, if the obtained jobs in their desired modes of practices, and their starting salaries. Differing types of residencies and modes of practice were compared to one another. Results: The amount of clinicians in each mode of practice that have completed each optometric item were compared, and statistical analysis was performed to see if they are statistically significant. Conclusions: Though this study is not intended to persuade optometry students to choose any particular career path, conclusions may be drawn that those who choose residencies are exposed to more ocular conditions, make less money during residency and slightly more after, are less confident upon graduation, are equally as confident after one year of doctoral experience, and have many similar experiences as those of non-resident first year optometrists.