How Optometry Changed My Life

My whole life I have wanted to do something that reflects my love and compassion for others. Many people go through college not knowing exactly what career best suits them. A career should not be chosen by your parents or based on the annual salary; it should be pursued out of our own desire and passion. I believe that a calling, as opposed to a profession, starts early in life. It is a voice, the ghost of a thought, which starts in the back of your mind. It tells you that this, and nothing else, is the most important thing in your life. I feel this way about optometry. For as long as I can remember, I have always envisioned myself as an optometrist. I want to help patients achieve clear vision, so that they can appreciate the beauty of life and everything around them.
When I was younger, I was not doing well in school due to poor vision. My first exposure to optometry came as a child when I was taken in for an eye exam. I remember shyly sitting in the chair as the optometrist changed the lenses and other settings …show more content…
My purpose was to give back to the community by brightening up the children’s days with arts and crafts. However, I received far more than what I contributed to the program. My heart was filled with warmth and satisfaction as I saw the children’s smiles and laughters. There was one particular patient that captured my attention. She used a cane to guide herself around the hospital. Every Friday she would participate with the group to do the art projects. Even though she had visual impairments, her radiant smile showed that she still enjoyed the little things in life. The encounter with her made me want to learn about her eye disease. Unfortunately, as a volunteer, I was not permitted to ask the family members or patients about their health conditions. This further motivated my academic studies toward a career with special focus on the