In the wake of ‘sobering’ surveys about working conditions and salaries for optometrists in Australia, one industry leader is promoting a different path.
I’m not an optometrist. I’m an optical dispenser by trade, with an MBA and more than two decades as a partner in a large regional independent practice. And I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the best optometrists in the country.
One thing I’ve learned over that time is that running a successful practice is not just about being a great optometrist. It’s about much more. It’s about building something.
It’s not just a job – it’s a journey.
One that demands a blend of clinical excellence, entrepreneurial drive, and personal leadership.
It’s about finding your niche, shaping your practice experience, establishing a culture, choosing suppliers, training and inspiring your team, and managing the dozens of moving parts that make a practice thrive.
Being in practice for yourself is not for everyone.
It’s not easy. But it’s incredibly rewarding – professionally and, yes, financially.
The recent wave of research into optometrist job satisfaction – particularly among younger professionals – has been sobering, but not surprising.
Too many are feeling boxed in by corporate KPIs, restricted by short appointment times, and burnt out by the relentless pressure to push retail over patient care.
I understand the frustration. It’s not good for patients or practice culture, which means it’s not good for business.
But there is another path.
If you’re passionate about optometry and have even a spark of entrepreneurial spirit, I’d urge you to consider independent practice. Not as an escape, but as a chance to practise with purpose. To build a team, serve your community, and grow something that is truly your own.
Independence doesn’t mean going it alone.
In our network, Eyecare Plus members support each other, share insights, and collaborate while maintaining full control over how they practise. We’re not a franchise. We don’t dictate what frames you stock or what equipment you use. We simply help good people build great practices.
So if you’re ready to experience what it means to be truly independent – free from the constraints of corporate salaries, franchise fees, and controlled supply chains – know that there’s a community ready to support you.
Optometry is a healthcare profession. But independent practice is a calling. And for those who choose it, the rewards go far beyond the consultation room.
About the author:
Martin Gregory is chairman of Eyecare Plus.
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