Eye health is important, more important than a lot of UNT students realize. A select group of students of campus, they have not only educated themselves on eye health, but have chosen it to be their career path. Those students are the members of the Pre-Optometry club.

Biology senior Jacqueline Hardin, the current President of the Optometry club, says that while career path changed multiple, her goal is now clear.

 

“I wanted to be a dentist then I decided I wanted to be a pharmacist,” Hardin said. “I met my optometrist and really got to know them and the profession after working for them and it was obvious this is what I wanted to do.”

Hardin said that when she was younger, she never had trouble with her eyesight and didn’t even consider the field until she was well into high school.

 

Her own optometrist acted as inspiration to her, Hardin says that in the future she would eventually aspires to be an optometrist with her own private practice.

 

“It is a very rewarding profession for both the patients and the doctor,” Hardin said. “I want to help others with the common issue of vision loss and eye related diseases.”

 

The Optometry Club has provided Hardin not only with friends with similar career goals, but with a leadership role she grows and thrives in.

 

“I hope can inspire others to enter this field,” Hardin said. “Since I have joined this club I believe I am better equipped, more knowledgeable and even more determined to purse this career. The people I have met in this field and the experiences I have had trying to get this far have assured me of this.”

 

Biology senior McKenna Benson,  saw optometry as a natural fit because of her interest in anatomy, physiology of the eyes, schedule flexibility, the high demand for optometrists and patient interaction.

Unlike other medical professions, Benson says that she is interested in medicine but does not gravitate toward the “bloodier stuff.”

 

 “Every two weeks, I have the privilege to meet with other individuals navigating different paths to reach the same goal,” Benson said. “Some of us have always known we want to be optometrists, some of us discovered this later.”

 

While some of the members take pride in their academic standing and others have a passion for volunteering, Benson said that being a part of the pre-optometry clubs lets recognizes that at the end of the day all the members are individuals but are still striving to reach the same goal.

 

“We all work together to better ourselves and increase our chances of optometry school acceptance,” Benson said. “That’s our short-term career goal.”

 

Benson said that optometry school would add several years onto her education, but it would be worthwhile.

For most college students, the future is uncertain, and for some it takes years to decide what they’d like to major in. It is rare that students show commitment to such a specific field with confidence like Benson and her fellow club members, Benson said.

 

“I considered optometry late in the game, so to speak,” Benson said. “After immersing myself in the field by working as an optometry technician and scoring some volunteer hours, my dedication to the patients and the practice grew.”

 

Benson, like Hardin, says that when she was younger the profession of optometry hadn’t even crossed her mind. Although she always has found the function of the body to be fascinating, optometrists are sometimes “lumped” in with other doctors.

 

Biology sophomore Simone Williams said that the field of optometry was different than other fields of medical study

 

“I believe that vision is taken for granted and is a very important part of life,” William said. “Optometry has always been an interest of mine and since my grandpa is legally blind, he is really rooting for me to become an optometrist and help others improve their vision.”

Williams said that she appreciates that the vision of her fellow club members surrounding herself with likeminded people, they share advice and guide with their own personal experience and that she recommends that anyone interest should join.

 

“I am very passionate about optometry and that I will do whatever it takes to become an optometrist and make a difference in the lives of people,” Williams said.

 

They often have guest speakers, free snacks volunteer’s events, conferences trips. Hardin said that even those who are simply curious about Optometry are welcome to stop by.

 

Benson said that it’s important to not neglect eye health and to visit the optometrist annually to keep vision in check or to evaluate risk factors for glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and even systemic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

 

The Pre-Optometry club has bi-weekly meetings in ENV 120 at 7 p.m. on Thursdays.