Optometrists Ready to Step Up to Subspecialization

By Jack Persico, Editor-In-Chief, Review of Optometry
Sunday, October 22, 2023 12:59 AM A majority of optometrists are content to describe themselves as primary eyecare providers, but over one quarter feel they also possess “subspecialty skills” in one or more specific niches—and they would like such capabilities to be recognized by others, too. Doing so would bolster referrals to ODs and could allow greater integration of optometry into the wider healthcare infrastructure. Enthusiasm for subspecialization is strongest among the younger members of the profession, but even most senior ODs see it as valuable, while still expressing some wariness over an as-yet-undefined credentialing process. Still, ODs seem ready to hash out the details.