By Daniel Breeman
Sunday, October 27, 2024 1:01 AM
The numbers are trending in the right direction, albeit slowly, but according to many experts, there’s still much work to be done in gaining true diversity in the optometric field, whether in practice, industry or in attracting new students to the field of optometry. The passion to achieve these diversity goals take the shape of various initiatives and programs by an assortment of groups, with many citing collaboration as critical to success.
According to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), during the 2023-2024 academic year, 7,220 students were enrolled full-time in optometry programs in the United States, and 164 were enrolled part-time. The student body was 48.5 percent White, 31.3 percent Asian, 8.8 percent Hispanic or Latino, 4.3 percent Black or African American, 0.6 percent American Indian or Alaskan Native, 0.1 percent Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 3.4 percent two or more races, and 3.0 percent unknown.
The American Optometric Association (AOA), citing several studies, found that although about 13 percent of the U.S. population is Black, they are underrepresented in optometry, especially in practice. They represent about 2 percent of practicing doctors of optometry and just over 3 percent of full-time students in optometry schools and colleges.
With the numbers improving but not yet where the profession wants to be, Vision Monday spoke with a few organizations and optometry schools that have taken the lead in promoting diversity in optometry and asked them what they are currently doing to advance multicultural identity in the profession and attract students to optometry. VM also asked about what obstacles are yet to be overcome in order to level the playing field for all individuals.
“There’s always more potential for programs and initiatives in the DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) space. By listening to diverse voices and harnessing our efforts to ensure they have an impact, we’re moving toward a better future by looking at things in new and creative ways,” said American Optometric Association (AOA) trustee Marrie Read, OD, MBA, who serves on the AOA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. “One of the biggest opportunities we have is to partner together with other diverse and far-reaching organizations to work together to make an impact.”
What follows is a closer look at just a few of the groups and schools actively promoting diversity in the profession and some of the current and future programs they have or intend to implement moving forward.