What eyecare providers are thankful for

It is a Thanksgiving tradition to share what you’re thankful for.

This year, we at Optometry Times are very thankful for our fabulous readers and a record-breaking year.

But it’s not all about us-we reached out to our readers on ODwire and ODs on Facebook to find out what makes eyecare professionals thankful.  

So, gather ‘round the exam room chair, pass the stuffing, and get ready to feel all warm and fuzzy about good patient communication and point-of-care diagnostic tests.

From ODwire: Optometry Times blogger Steve Nelson, OD, Portland, TX

1. My income relative to the amount of labor I have to put in.

2. The security in knowing that I'll always make a decent living.

3. The varied kind of cases I can choose to deal with-or not choose to-and have someone up the chain to turf to!

4. The positive impact I have on the lives of every person in front of me.

Just a few things-but mainly I'm thankful that I'm not one of the guys saying they've never broken $100,000 in 20 years.

From ODs on Facebook: Blaire McAfee O'Brien, St. Louis

I am thankful that I get to spend time with patients and get to know them and they get to know me. It has allowed me to build relationships with patients that go beyond just being thankful that people still come from New York, California, Illinois, and other states to still see me in the St. Louis area.

From ODs on Facebook: Optometry Times blogger Leslie O'Dell Hombach, OD, FAAO, York, PA

I am thankful for point-of-care testing in my dry eye center. Tear Osmolarity and Inflammdry testing help take a lot of assumption out of my exam and have greatly helped me in achieving a proper diagnosis on Day One. Proper diagnosis for dry eye is crucial to successful outcomes and that means happy patients! I am thankful for that!

From ODwire: Ed Makler, OD, Richardson, TX

I am thankful for many things in being an optometrist in private practice:

1. I don't have a boss who can fire me because I am too old or because he doesn't like my hair or the way I talk. Only my patients can fire me.

2. I can take time off to attend my grandchildren’s events without anybody complaining-except patients.

3. Optometry has made me financially stable and I can buy anything I want (mostly-my wife will not let me buy a Tesla).

4. My daughter is my clinic director, and I can trust her to do what is right. I have enjoyed knowing her as an adult.

5. I work near a bathroom and in air conditioning.

6. Optometry has allowed me to meet many people of all economic classes including two former presidents before they were elected.

7. I have the opportunity to make people's lives better.

From ODwire: Rebecca St. Jean, OD, Charleston, WV

I enjoy my employees. My employees enable me to do my job, make my life easier, and make my office environment enjoyable. I've worked hard to create a pleasant environment to work in and do not tolerate employees/patients that make our days unpleasant. Life is too short!

 From ODs on Facebook: Meade Hammond Kendrick III, OD, Memphis, TN

I'm thankful to be a part of a profession that has allowed me to spend time with my family and be in control of my own hours.

From ODs on Facebook: Margaret Clark-Moroff, OD, Somerset, MA

I am thankful that I am retiring soon...

From ODs on Facebook: Bill Potter, OD, Freehold, NJ

I am thankful because I have a scope of practice that goes way beyond where I ever thought I'd be. New Jersey's law is not the best, but it is still pretty good. I love being part of the patient's healthcare team and taking on a new challenge. I am also thankful for stuffing with sausage and pumpkin pie.

From ODs on Facebook: Jeff Fogt, OD, Defiance, OH

I am thankful for multifocal contact lenses and my passion to successfully fit them. I am thankful that my patients are like family. I am thankful that I know what sports the kids play, what people's interests are, where they work. I am thankful that I can see them in the grocery store or at a football game and get to talk about how life is treating them.

From ODs on Facebook: Cathy Braswell, OD, Memphis, TN

I'm thankful for the extremely kind and generous people I work with and loyal long-time patients.

From ODs on Facebook: Janet Lee Carter, OD, FAAO, Elko, NV

I am thankful to work in a profession where I get to do the things I like most-namely talk to people and hear their stories, help to solve problems, and tell folks what to do! (Not that they listen!) Seriously, I'm also thankful for my colleagues. Most of us in optometry are caring, kind, and genuinely interested in others and their welfare. I learn a lot from you all.

From ODs on Facebook: Tiffany Breaux, Baton Rouge, LA

I am thankful (as an office manager and optician) to work with optometrists who truly care about our patients. I love knowing we can give people the gift of better sight! When a first-time contact wearer who I helped with insertion and removal comes back and loves the contact lenses at her follow up, I'm just as excited as she is. There's a great feeling in someone loving his new glasses the moment he tries them on at dispense. It's rewarding every day.