Jill wrote:
I have just enrolled in school to be an optometrist and one of the first tasks I must do is figure out the scientific names for different frame types where can i find this info

ANSWER

Hello Jill,
There are several books out on the subject.  Look for any ophthalmic dispensing guide and usually the first chapter will have information on different frame materials.

Best of luck to you at school!
Dr. Donati

Mary wrote:
I was wondering what is the best way of obtaining work experience hours in an optometrist office? I am planning on applying to a couple of optometry schools and they all require 30+ hours experience in an office.
Please help me.

ANSWER

Hi Mary,
That is great that you are thinking of optometry as a career.  It is a great profession!  The best way to gain experience would be to contact optometrists in your community.  If you go to www.opto.ca and click on ‘Find an Optometrist’ you can search for optometrists close to you.  Optometrists do often hire students for part-time work or even full-time work during the summer months when there is more staff on vacation.  If you are having problems finding someone to hire you, you could also offer to volunteer to fulfill the requirement.  The best way to contact the optometrist would be to drop off or send them a cover letter and resume and then follow up a few weeks later with a phone call.  Good luck!
Dr. Doman

Steven wrote:
Hi, I am currently in grade 11 and want to become an optometrist when I graduate. I am not quite sure what to take for a science degree before applying… any recommendations?

ANSWER

Steven,
Optometry is a wonderful profession indeed. You will have a great future if you succeed in your project. The first thing to know is that there are two schools of optometry in Canada. One is located in Waterloo, ON and the other one is in Montreal, QC. For the latter, you have to understand and speak French to be admitted – even if your work can be written in English; most of the courses are given in French. Consult the web site of each school to find out the appropriate courses you have to take – they may vary from one school to another.  You will have to consider mathematics, physics and chemistry at the highest levels available. Biology is of course mandatory. Optometry relies on optical concepts – you have to understand the mathematics and the physics of the optical systems and the eye. You have also to consider pharmacology to treat diseases and to measure side effects of medication. This is why chemistry comes in play.
Thank you for your interest and good luck.

Dr. Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, FAAO (Dipl)
Moderator’s note: see www.opto.ca/en/public/03_optometry/03_03_career_info.asp

Rebekah wrote:

I am a grade 12 student from Newfoundland and I am doing a research project about a career in Optometry, as I plan to pursue this career. I am just wondering about a couple things. What are some likes and dislikes you have about this career? What health benefits, pension plans, insurance, etc. are available to optometrists? If you are able to answer any of my questions it would be a great help.

Thanks!

ANSWER

Rebekah,

Optometry has been a wonderful career for me, and I believe it is for women in general, as you should be able to dictate your own working hours should you decide to have children, and need to care for them.  I like the people contact and the ability to make people smile when they can see better.  Occasionally it is not possible to help someone see better and that is not nearly as much fun, but rather something to make the best of.  Optometrists generally work for themselves, and as such there are only the pension (RRSP), and insurance plans that you provide for yourself.

Dr. Joan Hansen, Optometrist for CAO

Ariel wrote:

I understand that science and math are important in the study of optometry but how exactly is math used?

ANSWER

Dear Ariel

Optometry relies on optics and physics. You can imagine how important maths are to study optometry. It is a health science with grounded on other sciences as well. Even if the numbers are not used, the logical process to resolve mathematical problems is very similar to the one used during a differential diagnosis procedure. It is not only the math skills by themselves but their logical approach that helps during optometric studies and during a career in the field.

Good luck,
Dr. Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, FAAO
Associate Professor, U. de Montréal

Dakota wrote:
I was wondering what post secondary institution you can go to, to take a course in optometry.

ANSWER

Hi Dakota,

I’m glad to hear that you are interested in optometry as a career.  Of course I am biased but I believe that optometry is one of the best professions there is.  To become an optometrist you have to complete at least three years of undergraduate study usually in sciences at university and then apply and be accepted into a four year accredited optometry program.  There are only two optometry schools in Canada.  One at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario and one at Univeristé de Montréal in Montréal, Québec.  There are also a number of schools in the United States that are accredited.  After completing optometry school, licensing or board exams must be completed to obtain a license to practice optometry.  If you want to learn more about what an optometrist does a lot of optometrists will let you job shadow with them for a half or full day to get a sense of what a typical day is like.  Below I have given you two website links.  One is to the CAO website, which lists more detailed information and one is to the University of Waterloo Optometry website, which again gives more information including what undergraduate courses are required for admission to optometry school.  http://www.opto.ca/en/public/03_optometry/03_03_career_info.asp,
http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/prospective/od/.

Good luck with your studies!
Dr. Carol Doman