T-MINUS ONE MONTH to graduation. One month left until the last four years of exams, proficiencies and studying pay off.
The fourth year is focused on patient care and gaining hands-on experience. To me, this has been the most rewarding part of my time at the Southern College of Optometry (SCCO). Going on rotations and being able to care for vastly different patient populations truly opens your eyes to the world around you. I have gained a rich understanding of not only patient care, but also other cultures and the diverse local community we serve.
Now that I am on rotations, my day looks a lot different than it did in the first three years. Goodbye to constant studying and endless lectures – hello patient care! My experiences in clinical rotations have given me a window into how my life will be working as a licensed optometrist.
I arrive at the Ketchum Health clinic and quickly prep for the patient I will be seeing that day. It is important to review the schedule and familiarize myself with each patient’s case to ensure the appointment runs as smoothly as possible. The highlight of the experience is always seeing the patients – having an opportunity to interact with them, hear their stories and connect with them is very rewarding.
Sometimes, there isn’t any prep you can do – a walk-in patient can come through or a problem-focused exam can be presented, where you have no background knowledge beforehand. For me, that’s what makes the experience fully engaging. It’s like piecing a puzzle together – you already have some of the pieces from everything you’ve learned this far, and the patient’s complaints provide the missing pieces that complete the picture. Once the puzzle is solved and you help to treat the patient, you are rewarded with the satisfaction in knowing that you did everything you could to support and improve their vision.
Being back at the school’s clinic makes lunch my favorite part of the day. I get to sit down and hang out with my friends and my future colleagues, some of which I have not seen at all for the last year. And then it hits me that the last four years are coming to an end, but for now I’ll just enjoy it.
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Being back also means being in different clinics. Not only do I see primary care patients, but I also see vision therapy, low vision and contact lens patients.
Vision therapy has never been my favorite, but this quarter I’ve taken much more of a liking to it. The patients I see in the acquired brain injury vision therapy clinic have truly changed my perspective. I am consistently seeing the same patients week to week as I help them to overcome the symptoms they were left with post-traumatic brain injury. I get to push them to work hard, while still remembering that they need time to heal. They are each so motivated to try and participate in the vision therapy practices to get better. It is so gratifying to see them slowly get better and improve their symptoms.
Not every day looks the same, but they all help to shape me into a future optometrist. Whether I am seeing primary care, contact lens, vision therapy or low vision patients. I am taking a step each day to improve my skills and become a more well-rounded doctor.
Now you might be wondering how I made it this far – sometimes, I wonder too. Between all the exams, challenges and moments of doubt, there were some days I did not think I would make it. Looking back, thought, nothing was all that bad, but they always say hindsight is 20/20. After making it through undergrad, taking classes to even qualify for optometry and optometry school itself, I can confidently say it was all worth it. Buckling down to study was tough when it seemed that everyone else in my life was going off to start their career or their families, but I know I chose the right path when I look around and see the friends I’ve made and the impact in the lives of others from our hard work.
As I sit back and reflect, I can’t believe that the last four years have gone by so quickly. If you’re in the middle of your optometry journey, remember to enjoy every second. I know it can be hard when all you’re thinking about is the next test or proficiency, but it goes by in the blink of an eye. Sooner than you think, you’ll be one month out from graduation, wondering where all the time has gone. If you’re thinking about choosing this path, I can’t recommend it enough. My time at SCCO at Marshall B. Ketchum University has truly prepared me to launch into the world of optometry, and I can’t wait for the next chapter in this story.
About the Author
Karlee Kawasaki is a fourth-year optometry student at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. She is originally from Oahu, Hawaii and looks forward to providing care with the spirit of aloha.
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