The Joys of Independence
When I first decided to study Optometry, one of the great attractions was the ability to be my own boss.
Recently I came across an article written back in the 60’s about the rewards of practicing Optometry in the same practice over decades where you see patients that you have come to know well, sharing the story of their lives, seeing the children of the children you saw as patients when you began your career.
Then there are the stories of the awesome changes you make when you help one patient see clearly after years of poorly managed vision; the wonder of a parent reporting that once you helped remove the visual roadblocks to learning that their child was experiencing, he is now a ferocious reader and more confident in the world; the parent who thanks you for ‘giving them back their child’ who had become depressed about their poor performance at school and who you had been able to help by enhancing their visual cognition; the brain injured patient who can now maintain balance and see singly after two years of rehab and being told an eye patch was all that was possible; the life-saving referral for a brain tumor that was being treated as a neck problem by the GP; as well as many more simple stories of being able to help people see clearly and comfortably and look great in a flattering and fashionable frame, or the successful contact lens fit allowing greater freedom to play sport.
Optometry is a great profession and having the freedom to practise in the way you choose is one of its strengths. I know from my own experience that the way I practise now is different to the way I practised even a few years ago and I’m sure will be different in the future. Ongoing professional growth is another of the stimuli that keeps me going. Particularly in Behavioural Optometry there is an astonishing depth of new research coming out in both the neuroscience and clinical fields to help us understand and be confident in our treatment options.
And then there is the all important support that we, as independent optometrists receive from the smaller suppliers to the industry. In these times of increasing market share by corporates, we can maintain our difference at the equally important level of optical dispensing. As you all know, no matter how good your prescription is, if it is fitted incorrectly into a poorly fitting and poorly adjusted frame, the patient will not be happy!
I have been saddened to hear lately that something I considered to be an industry standard, that is competent frame adjustment anywhere for everyone, is becoming a thing of the past. Several times recently I have heard of patients being told that there is no-one capable of adjusting their frame properly at the store they have called into and that they have to return to where the frame was purchased for adjustment! And now the government in its wisdom has deregulated optical dispensing....I can only suggest in the strongest possible terms, make sure you find a qualified dispenser or two and tie them down, and if you can’t find one, train them yourself to ensure a good working knowledge of frame and lens design and compatibility.
Supporting smaller frame suppliers is critical to their and our survival. It has been said more than once, if independent optometry does not survive, then neither do the independent, more innovative frame suppliers, to say nothing of labs. Behavioural Optometry is in the enviable position of having the support of independent suppliers, and we need to ensure that we reciprocate by supporting them.
ACBO is getting stronger. Our last three conferences have each outperformed their predecessor. In-office Vision Therapy is here to stay. Independence is a win-win situation (you can always outsource the tiresome bits like book-keeping). Running your own business was never meant to be easy, but the rewards far outweigh the problems, and if, like me, it was the broader scope of independent optometry that got you into this in the first place, hang in there, keep in contact with your colleagues and enjoy the challenges and the rewards!
