Financial Wellness in Optometry: Income, Burnout, and Finding Balance

What this episode covers

Financial wellness in optometry is becoming one of the profession’s most important conversations. During a recent episode of the Depth Perception Podcast, Dr. Jasdeep Singh, Dr. Svetlana Nunez, and Dr. Chris Lopez explored the realities behind income, student debt, burnout, and long-term financial success in eye care. Using insights from the 2026 ODs on Finance Income Report , the conversation highlighted an important truth: earning a strong income does not always lead to financial freedom. Topics Covered : Income vs. Net Worth in Optometry The Reality of Student Debt and Burnout Why Ownership Still Matters Finding Your Compass Income vs. Net Worth in Optometry One of the biggest takeaways from the discussion was the disconnect between income and net worth. While many optometrists are earning six-figure salaries, median net worth remains lower than expected. According to Dr. Lopez, many eye care professionals are successful earners but may lack the financial education needed to build long-term wealth. The panel discussed how little financial training most students receive during optometry school. Topics like investing, retirement planning, taxes, practice ownership, and debt management are rarely emphasized despite being essential for real-world success. “You can be the smartest OD in school,” Dr. Lopez explained, “and still not know how to invest or manage your finances.” The Reality of Student Debt and Burnout The conversation also focused heavily on student loan debt and how it impacts career decisions for younger optometrists. Dr. Svetlana Nunez shared how being a first-generation professional shaped her understanding of debt and financial planning. Her perspective reflected the reality many graduates face today as they balance loans, career goals, and personal life simultaneously. Burnout was another major topic. Older generations of optometrists often embraced six- or seven-day workweeks to create financial security. However, newer graduates are increasingly prioritizing work-life balance, mental health, and flexibility. Dr. Lopez acknowledged that priorities are changing across generations, but emphasized that long-term goals still require intentional planning and sacrifice. Why Ownership Still Matters Another key theme was practice ownership. Dr. Lopez remained a strong advocate for ownership because of the financial flexibility and long-term opportunities it can create. The discussion also addressed compensation differences between genders and encouraged more women in optometry to pursue ownership opportunities when possible. Finding Your Compass Perhaps the strongest message from the episode centered around defining personal priorities. Dr. Lopez explained that optometrists can achieve many goals throughout their careers, but not all at the same time. “You can have anything you want in life,” he shared. “You just can’t have it all at the same time.” That mindset became the foundation of the conversation. Whether the goal is ownership, family time, travel, or financial independence, understanding personal priorities helps simplify difficult career decisions.

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