editor’s perspective

Do What You Love, and Love What You Do

BY JASON J. NICHOLS, OD, MPH, PHD, FAAO

How often do you think to yourself about the reason or reasons why you provide eye care to your patients? If your focus is on contact lens care of patients, why did you choose to specialize in this area? What is it about the contact lens field that excites you? I think examining our motivations, particularly years (or even decades) after making career decisions, allows for a self-awareness that is critical in maintaining a passion for what we do for a living.

The contact lens field is not what it used to be—but don’t read negatively into this observation. Some people would argue that the economics of contact lens practice are more challenging today than in years past. While this may be true, many tremendous advances have occurred in this field that can breathe some new life into your practice. For example, we have come a long way in contact lens materials and designs that are safe and consistently effective compared with years ago—which is something that many “young” practitioners take for granted. We’ve also seen a revival in scleral lenses and hybrids that must be recognized and applauded.

Whatever your motivations for practicing in the contact lens field, keep your enthusiasm and passion high. Your patients will certainly take notice and appreciate your heart-felt presence.